Shirley Jean Wallace, Tamara "Tami" K. (Abresch) Wall, Beryl Dean Etherington, Sondra Sue (Heiny) Reel, James "Jim" Edward Cisney, Steven Aldridge
Shirley Jean Wallace
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Mrs. Shirley Jean Wallace, a beloved member of our community, who departed this life on April 6, 2025, at the age of 83. Born on August 6, 1941, Shirley lived a life full of love, grace, and dedication to those around her.
Visitation for friends and family will be held on Fri., April 11, 2025, from 10-11 a.m., with the funeral for Mrs. Wallace immediately following, at Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, 1599 E. Sycamore St., Kokomo.
Mrs. Wallace will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her. Please join us as we come together to celebrate her life and honor her legacy.
Her kindness and strength will forever live on in our hearts. May she rest in eternal peace.
Tamara "Tami" K. (Abresch) Wall
Tamara "Tami" K. (Abresch) Wall, 60, passed away Friday April 4, 2025, at 11:33 a.m. in the comfort of her home, surrounded by family. She was born in Kokomo, IN, to the late Charles Abresch Sr. and Patricia Abresch on March 17, 1965.
Tami attended Western Schools for 11 years but graduated from Kokomo High School. In her spare time, Tami enjoyed getting lost in a good book. She was an astronomical cat lady! She found peace and relaxation in diamond art paintings. She loved binging any Netflix series, attending craft day at Debbie and Stacey's house, and relaxing on Daytona Beach. She was a very smart and kind lady. Tami was the type of person to give you the shirt off her back if need be.
She is survived by her son Kyle (Ashley) Strong, five 5 stepchildren Elizabeth (Heath) Pickett, Gary (Jessica) Holloway, Mathew Holloway, David (Amber) Holloway, and Randal (Nikki) Rubow, three sisters Peggy Holloway, Angela (Tom) Mason, and Mickie Abresch, two brothers, Charles (Melissa) Abresch Jr. and Michael (Patti) Abresch, grandchildren Nathan and Amelia Strong, and a handful of great nieces and nephews whom she loved so much.
Tami is proceeded in death by her parents, her son Kain, and two brothers Rick Abresch and John Adkins.
Friends are invited to visit with the family from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, April 11, 2025, at Gospel Light Mission Church, 1407 Belmont Ave., Kokomo, IN 46902. A Celebration of Life will begin at 4 p.m. on Friday at the church with Pastor Terry Russell officiating. Contributions may be made to Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory to assist with final expenses. A link is available on Tami’s obituary page to contribute directly towards the expenses. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.
Beryl Dean Etherington
Beryl Dean Etherington, 90, of Kokomo, passed away on April 6, 2025. He was born on September 27, 1934, in Kokomo, the son of the late Glenn and Edith (Simpson) Etherington. On December 24, 1954, he married Barbara Ellen Gentry who preceded him in death on January 7, 2008.
Beryl Dean was a 1952 graduate of Western High School. After high school he spent two years studying at Purdue University and made the decision to join the Army as a business clerk in October of 1954. Beryl Dean did his service in Germany and was honorably discharged in March of 1957. After his time in the Army, he received his bachelor’s degree in teaching from Ball State University in 1959 and a master’s degree in 1964 from Ball State. Beryl Dean spent his career as a business and math teacher, where he was known by his students as “Mr. E.” He taught at Webster High School of Wayne County, IN, for four years and Kokomo Center Schools for 33 years, teaching at Bon Air Middle School and Kokomo High School. He also served as the high school athletics ticket manager at Kokomo High School from 1968 to 1996.
He was a past member of Courtland Ave. Friends Church and became a member of Southdowns Wesleyan Church. He was a manager and treasurer at City of First Credit Union (formerly known as Kokomo School Employees Federal Credit Union). After retirement, he worked in tax service at Bergstrom’s Accounting and taught math at Ivy Tech. He was a treasurer for several community organizations such as the Howard County Retired Teachers Association, the Howard County Pioneer Auto Club, Southside Little League, and the Kokomo Parents Babe Ruth League.
Beryl Dean is survived by his children James (Ronda) Etherington, Daniel D. Etherington, Joseph M. (Rachel) Etherington, and Ruth E. (Michael) Wikel, grandchildren Tyler (Maegan) Etherington, Carly (Bobby) Ryan, Joseph (Bri) Wikel, and Esther Etherington, great-grandchildren Charlotte Etherington, Lucy Oliphant, Reese Ryan, Parker Ryan, Darren Wikel, Myla Wikel, and Alex (Kristina) Topalovic, and brother Dale Etherington.
He was preceded in death by his wife Barbara, his parents, and sister-in-law Althea Etherington.
A funeral service celebrating Beryl Dean’s life will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, April 14, 2025, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Rd., Kokomo, with Dr. Mark Rennaker officiating. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bridges Outreach Inc., 208 N. Main St, Kokomo, IN 46901 or online at bridgesoutreach.com/donate. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Sondra Sue (Heiny) Reel
Sondra Sue (Heiny) Reel, 88, formerly of Kokomo, passed away 11:50 p.m. Sunday, April 6, 2025, at Harbour Manor in Noblesville, IN. She was born in Anderson, IN, on September 18, 1936, the daughter of the late Edward and Lois (Unger) Heiny. On August 12, 1960, she married Robert “Bob” Reel, and he preceded her in death on September 14, 2015.
Sondra was a 1955 graduate of Kokomo High School. She worked for Kokomo School Corp. as a head cook for 30 years until her retirement in 2002. She was a loving wife, mom, sister, grandma, and great-grandma. She was a family-oriented woman who always put them first. She will be remembered for being a sweet, cute, and funny lady. She always left a lasting impression on everybody she met. Sondra was a faithful member of Judson Road Christian Church in Kokomo and the women’s euchre card club. She was gifted at cooking, and she found joy in hosting everybody at her home, especially for the holidays.
Sondra is survived by her children Todd (Michele) Reel, Mark (Dawn) Reel, and Beth Ann (Carlos) Gonzalez, sisters Rita Hall, Vicki Lytle, and Connie (David) VanBibber, grandchildren Cassidy (Todd) Elliott, Mark (Brenda) Reel, Damon (Kaitlynn) Reel, Sam (Alexandria) Reel, and Gabe (Hailey) Reel, and great-grandchildren Graham, Mila, Bryson, Bella, Dawson, Sawyer, and Collins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and sister Sharon Granson.
Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10 a.m. to noon Monday, April 14, 2025, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Rd., Kokomo, IN 46902. A funeral service celebrating Sondra’s life will begin noon on Monday at the funeral home with Pastor Gary Carpenter officiating. A link will be available at noon on Monday at the bottom of Sondra's online obituary to view the funeral live. Entombment will follow in Sunset Memory Garden. Contributions may be made in Sondra’s memory to Shirley & Stout Funeral Home C/O Music with Drew. Drew Davenport is a board-certified music therapist that provides music therapy to the residents at White Oaks Memory Care in Noblesville, IN. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
James "Jim" Edward Cisney
James "Jim" Edward Cisney, 66, of Swayzee, Indiana, passed away April 5, 2025. He was born on May 25, 1958, in Kokomo, Indiana, the son of Romeo Harvey and Evelyn (Hickman) Cisney. He married Karen (Hamilton) Cisney on June 16, 1978, who survives. Jim was a member of the Shawnee Nation. He worked for Mays Roofing, Arnie Cook's, and McGuff's Roofing. He was a member of Local #205.
Jim loved playing his harmonica, fishing, gardening, and hard work. Jim was also the No. 1 Chicago Bears fan. He also enjoyed carpentry and making furniture.
Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife Karen, children Angela (Arthur Gonzales) Cisney, Teresa (Joseph Carpenter) Cisney, and Dustin (Kailyn) Cisney, grandchildren Kennedy, Lila, Kihara, Viktor, Elizah, Henry, Owen, Patrick, Asher, Tarquin, Gabby, Ceasar, Matteo, and Roman, sisters Jeanette Rosemont and Julia Corsair, 23 nieces and nephews, many friends, and special dog and snacking buddy Carlos.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Jodi, Jackie, Jason, Janice, Jennifer, and Jeff, and honorary kids Jake Cox and Daniel Stephens.
Visitation will take place from 12:00 - 1:00 Friday, April 25, 2025, at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home. Funeral services will begin at 1:00 PM Friday, April 25, 2025, at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home 2097 West Alto Road Kokomo, Indiana 46902. Inurnment will follow at Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery. Share a memory with the family at www.sunsetmemorygarden.com.
Steven Aldridge
Steven Aldridge, 66, of Kokomo, passed away at 1:47 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at his home. He was born on February 10, 1959, in Kokomo to Leroy Wayne and Marilyn Sue (Smith) Aldridge. On July 21, 1989, he married Crystal Evans, who preceded him in death on February 2, 2022.
Steven never met a stranger and will be remembered as a storyteller and joker. He enjoyed fishing and had a deep love for dogs, caring for many stray ones over the years. Above all, he cherished his family and expressed this often, concluding with “and don’t forget it…”
He is survived by his siblings Raymond (Pam) Aldridge, Terri (Rich) Groves, and Julie (Alex) Santos, along with several nieces and nephews and many cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and a son Levi Steven Aldridge.
A celebration of Steven’s life will take place later. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family with cremation.