Emma Bontrager, Susan Lee (King) Freeman, Barbara K. “Barb” Lorenz, Sherry Ann Larke
Emma Bontrager
Emma Bontrager, 97, went to meet her maker Monday night, October 20, 2025. She was born April 29, 1928, in Miami County, Indiana, to the Late Jonas and Amanda (Troyer) Eash. She married Jonas Bontrager on May 4, 1946. They were married 54 years, five months, and 12 days when he went to be with the Lord on October 16, 2000.
In her youth, she accepted Christ as her Savior, Lord, and Master and served Him to the end. She was a faithful member of the Beachy Amish Mennonite Church.
She is survived by her children Lavon (Gladys) Bontrager of Kokomo, IN, Lavern (Miriam) Bontrager of Macon, MS, Linda (Carl) Graber of Greentown, IN, Glen (Margaret) Bontrager of Stanardsville, VA, and Waneda Graber of Kokomo, IN; 27 grandchildren; 53 great-grandchildren; and 21 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; granddaughters Abby and Rosella; great-grandsons Michael and Sawyer; as well as one brother and three sisters.
Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 22, at Bethany Fellowship School, 5169 N County Road 600 East, Kokomo. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, October 23, at the school. Burial will follow in Christner Cemetery. Please send no flowers but donate to the charity of your choice in Emma’s memory. Hasler & Stout Funeral Home 112 E. Main Street, Greentown, assisted the family with arrangements.
Susan Lee (King) Freeman
Susan Lee (King) Freeman, beloved mother to two children, age 81, of Kokomo, IN, passed away in Kokomo after an extremely short battle with AML on October 18, 2025, leaving a void her family cannot fill.
Susan was born in Kokomo on October 11, 1944, the daughter of Betty J. (McCoy) and Howard “Barney” King. She was the oldest of two girls, Susie and Patty, The King Kids. They were often mistaken for twins.
Susan was part of the Kokomo High School graduating class of 1962. As a junior in high school, she belonged to the Pep Club, which was the year the boys basketball team won the state championship. She then graduated from St. Elizabeth Nursing School in Lafayette, IN, in 1966. Her nursing career led her to Howard Community Hospital (OB ward) for 23 years, and on to Kinsey Youth Center where she retired from nursing after 13 years.
She married her high school sweetheart in 1965, and they had two children. Susan was completely devoted to Jodi and Chad, who were her pride and joy.
Susan took special joy in her church, Abundant Life Church, CBN News, the 700 Club, “no carb” diets, trees, birds, flowers, and cooking. She had fond memories of a family vacation to Panama City Beach, FL, concerts, Christmas gatherings, state parks, visits to Southern Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee, attending the last Elvis concert at MSA on June 26, 1977 (Row 10), and looking forward to moving to Kentucky to help with the new campground (MMFCG).
Susan was preceded in death by her parents Betty & Barney King, her grandparents James & Lena King and Sarah Shelley, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
She is survived by her kids Jodi (Scott) Neal and Chad Freeman; grandkids Cassandra Lockridge, Alexander Neal, Ephraim Freeman, Alyson Ryan, and Jada (Chris) Mocanu; great-grandson Samuel Long; nephew Travis (Kimberly) Dotterer; sister Patty (Trav) Dotterer; niece Traci (Paul) Zegelien; great-nephews Tyler (Alaina) Dotterer, Jackson Dotterer, and Lucas Zegelien; who will never forget the love and impact she had on their lives.
Friends are invited to meet with the family on Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Stout & Son Funeral Home, 200 E. Main Street, Russiaville. (A private funeral service will be reserved for immediate family members). Memorial contributions may be made in Susan’s memory to organizations that she was very passionate about: Operation Blessings, ob.org/donate, and her church, Abundant Life Church, goalc.com/give. Messages of condolence may be made at www.stoutandson.com.
Barbara K. “Barb” Lorenz
Barbara K. “Barb” Lorenz, 78, of Kokomo, passed away Monday, October 20, 2025, at Community Howard Regional Health Hospital in Kokomo. She was born February 12, 1947, in Logansport, Indiana, to Wilmer K. and Helen L. (Hursh) Scott. She married Dale Lorenz July 3, 1965, in Hartsville, Tennessee, and he survives.
Barb was a 1965 graduate of Lewis Cass High School. She later attended Indiana University School of Nursing and became a Registered Nurse. She served at St. Joseph Hospital in Kokomo for 20 years. She also served in home healthcare for another 10 years.
Barb and Dale enjoyed riding their Goldwing for many years together. They also enjoyed wintering in Bradenton, Florida, for the past 25 years. She also was an avid collector of Longaberger baskets. She enjoyed antiquing, shopping, and spending time with her family most of all. She was member of One Church in Kokomo and loved the Lord with all of her heart.
Surviving family include her husband Dale Lorenz of Kokomo, her daughter Shelly (Mitchell) Hite of Amboy, and her grandchildren Brittni and Jordan Lorenz, Kaityln (Andy) Garrett, and Laine (Alissa) Hite. Her great grandchildren include Zayden, Zoey, Lucas, Maverick, Weston, and Noble. She is preceded in death by her parents and son Richard K. “Rich” Lorenz.
Visitation will be held from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Murray Weaver Funeral Home in Galveston. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Diane Wagner and Joyce Brooks officiating. Private Burial will follow in the Galveston Cemetery. Murray Weaver Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. www.murrayweaverfuneralhome.com
Sherry Ann Larke
Sherry Ann Larke, 90, of Kokomo, Indiana, and also a resident of Floral City, Florida, passed away on October 19, 2025, at HCA Florida Citrus Hospital in Inverness, Florida, surrounded by her loving family.
Born May 22, 1935, in Indianapolis, she was the daughter of Woodrow Marshall Duncan and Pearl (Spaulding) Duncan. Sherry married the love of her life, James Larke, and together they shared 35 wonderful years of marriage.
One of Sherry’s greatest joys was riding her Harley alongside her husband. She also loved crocheting, knitting, and embroidery. A devoted fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Rays, and Notre Dame, Sherry never missed a game. She also loved watching The Lawrence Welk Show, often singing and smiling along with the music. Above all, she cherished spending time with her family, who brought her endless happiness.
She is survived by her daughters Jenni Ortman (Todd) and Salena Catron (Linke); her son Brad Kauffman (Penny); and her stepdaughter Vikki Guerre (Bill). She was a proud grandmother to Krista Holman, Kyle Walker, Parks Ortman, Danielle, Samantha, Nina, and Lukas Kauffman, Billy, Abby, Anna, and Maggie Guerre; and a loving great-grandmother to Joshua and Kolten Miller, and Hayden, Quinn, and Skye Walker.
She was preceded in death by her parents Woodrow Marshall Duncan and Pearl (Spaulding) Duncan; her daughter Bobbi A. Booth; and her siblings Marlene, Charlene, Jackie, and Kenny.
Sherry will be remembered for her adventurous spirit, generous heart, and the love she shared with everyone around her.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, October 27, 2025, at Ellers Mortuary, 3400 S. Webster St., Kokomo, IN 46902. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with services to follow. Entombment will follow at Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery.