Wanda Mae Shipp, Brian William Hollis, Connie Irene Lushin-Williams, Robert W. Hunt Jr., Joyce R. Zimmerman
Wanda Mae Shipp
Wanda Mae Shipp, 87, of Valparaiso, Indiana, passed away October 20, 2025. She was born on May 18, 1938, in Arcadia, Indiana, the daughter of William and Clara (Jackson) Davenport.
Wanda worked in retail management and was a Sunday school teacher and meat cutter. She loved word find books and watching Blue Bloods, Law and Order, Family Feud and Criminal Minds. Wanda also enjoyed crocheting. She adored her dog Neko.
Left to cherish her memory are her children Debbie (Steve) Allen, Donnie Givens Jr., Ernie (Lisa) Givens, Sherri Acord, and Glenn (Lisa) Acord; 16 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Wanda was preceded in death by her parents; husband Dale Shipp; grandson Brandon Givens; and six siblings.
Visitation will take place from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Ellers Mortuary. Funeral services will begin at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Ellers Mortuary 725 S. Main Street Kokomo, Indiana 46901. Burial will follow at Crown Point Cemetery Kokomo, Indiana. Share a memory with the family at www.ellersmortuary.com.
Brian William Hollis
Brian William Hollis, 52, passed away on October 19, 2025, around 5 p.m. He died after an eight-month-long battle with stage 4 colon cancer. Brian was born in Kokomo, Indiana, to the late Robert (Bob) Hollis and Sondra Combs on February 8, 1973. He graduated from Eastern High School in 1992, where he was active in marching band, track and field, and SADD. He was also active in 4-H.
Brian went on to attend and graduate from the University of Southern Indiana with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. There, he was awarded membership in the Golden Key Honor Society and was President of Pi Sigma Alpha, both academic honoraries. He was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon, a social fraternity, where he served as Secretary and Scholastic Chairperson. He served as Founder and President of the USI College Republicans, assisting with the foundation of the USI College Democrats as well. In student government, he served as House Representative, Senator, and Supreme Court Justice. He then went on to graduate with a Master of Public Administration at Ball State University.
After college, Brian spent time working with youth on a career and volunteer basis. He worked at the Miami Correctional Facility for many years, where he handled recreation and the law library. He was a professor in the Political Science department at Ball State University and Ivy Tech Community College. He worked at Ivy Tech at the time of his illness and continued to teach until it was no longer possible to do so.
Brian was very proud of his six years of service in the Army National Guard, where he served in Afghanistan for one year.
Brian is survived by his daughter Haley (Lavender) Jones and beloved cat Baby Pete; mother and stepfather Sondra and Michael Combs; stepparents Rosemary and Garry Jones; brother Craig Hollis; stepbrothers Mark (Suzie) Bradford, Todd (Meagan) Bradford, Scott (Emilie) Bradford, Michael (Cara) Combs, Brent (Lucy) Jones, and Matt (Missy) Combs; aunts Roxanna Kline, Roma Jean (Charles) Bradburn, and Ruth (Gary) Shaw; and many more family and friends.
Brian was preceded in death by his father Robert (Bob) Hollis and chosen dad Gary McKinley, as well as maternal and paternal grandparents.
Brian was devoted to his faith and attended One Church in Kokomo, Indiana, where he was involved in small group. Brian enjoyed ‘80s music and movies, traveling with family, and quoting WWE wrestlers.
A funeral service will be held at 12 p.m., on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Hasler & Stout Funeral Home, 112 E Main St., Greentown, with Pastor Travis Greene officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will take place in Marion National Cemetery at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 27, 2025, with military honors provided by the United States Army and the Greentown American Legion, please arrive at Hasler & Stout at 10:15 a.m. for processional to the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the funeral home, to help assist the family with final expenses. Live streaming will be available for the service on Brian’s obituary page. Contributions and messages of condolence may be left online at www.hasler-stout.com.
Connie Irene Lushin-Williams
Connie Irene Lushin-Williams, a beacon of selfless love and creative spirit, passed away peacefully on October 15, 2025, in Kokomo, Indiana, leaving behind a legacy of generosity and service. Born on November 15, 1946, in Devils Lake, North Dakota, to the late Tessibel Hicks-Schossow and Fred Schossow, Connie was a cherished sister to Bonnie Sorge and the late Beverly Pyke and Gale Fields. She was lovingly raised by her grandmother Irene Hicks, whose nurturing spirit Connie emulated throughout her life.
Connie’s journey took her from the halls of Kokomo High School, where she graduated in 1965, to the creative realms of Wright’s Beauty Academy and then retired from Calliope Hair Designs. She also graduated from La Crosse University Clown College. Her passion for beauty and laughter was evident in her work, from her early days at Metro Mart and JC Penney to her co-ownership of Popi-Cons Apparel with Popi Humes. Connie’s entrepreneurial spirit shone brightly as she co-founded Care Lawn LLC with her late husband Dave Williams, and her dedication to her craft was unwavering as she thrived as a cosmetologist for more than five decades.
Connie’s heart was as vibrant as the colorful wigs she donned as a member of the SmileMakers Clown Troupe. For 15 years, she spread joy and laughter through her clown ministry, touching lives in orphanages across Africa, England, Russia, Brazil, and the United States. Her commitment to service extended to her work with Ellers Mortuary and Sunset Memory Gardens, where she was proud of the work she did for the “last look” for families for 50 years.
A devoted Christian, Connie found solace and strength in her faith. She grew up attending Main Street United Methodist Church with her grandmother and, in her later years, was an active member of Crossroads Community Church. Her involvement in small groups, the BAG Lady Bible Study, and numerous service opportunities reflected her unwavering commitment to her community. She wrote and directed the Easter Pageant, was a youth group leader and served in the local Howard County corndog booth while attending MSUMS and was a Lay Leader and speaker for the North Central Indiana Conference.
Connie’s creativity knew no bounds. She found joy in baking for others, tending to her garden, watching birds, and crafting beautiful jewelry and wreaths. Her dedication to serving the homeless and supporting Celebrate Recovery demonstrated her boundless generosity.
Connie’s memory will be cherished by her loving sons, Mike Lushin (Lisa), Phil Lushin (Yasemin), and daughter Debbie McKinley (Jim), as well as the Boyd Family, whom she adopted by heart. Her spirit will live on through her grandchildren Connor Lushin (Megan), Sydney Lushin, Kirsten Southwell (Lee), Deanna Gibson, Taylor Mendenhall, Rachel McDonald (Jared), Olivia Lushin, Katherine Lushin, Austin Boyd (Jenn), Adam Boyd, Ally Saint Connor (Victoria), and Aaron Boyd, and great-grandchildren Janessa Southwell, Jairus Southwell, Kristina Keeney, Trevor Keeney, Christopher Washburn, Harley Washburn, Colton Washburn, Allen Washburn, Logan Washburn, Lincoln Washburn, Opal Washburn, Carson Washburn, Nash McDonald, and soon to be baby boy McDonald, who will remember her as a pillar of love and kindness.
Connie was preceded in death by her parents, her spouse and father to her children Stephen Lushin who passed in 2021, and Dave Williams who passed in 2017, her siblings, her cherished grandma Irene Hicks, and her adopted son by heart Robert Crabtree. She is now reunited with her first unborn child whom she lost many years ago.
Her life was a testament to the power of a giving heart and the impact one individual can have on the world. Connie Irene Lushin-Williams will be profoundly missed, but her legacy of creativity, selflessness, and generosity will continue to inspire all who knew her.
Services will take place Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Crossroads Community Church. There will be a Gathering of friends and family from 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. with a Celebration of Life beginning at 2:00 p.m. All are invited to a dinner following the service to continue sharing memories.
City of Firsts Cremation and Funeral Services by Rose and Geiger was entrusted with the arrangements. www.cityoffirstscremations.com
Robert W. Hunt Jr.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Robert W. Hunt Jr. who passed away peacefully on October 20, 2025 at the age of 58. He was surrounded by his loving wife and daughters at his home following his battle with cancer.
Born on March 21, 1967, in Kokomo, Indiana, to Robert Hunt Sr. and Nannie Hunt, Rob was a devoted husband, father, brother, and uncle. He attended Maconaquah High School and lived in Galveston in his family home throughout his life. He worked as a custodian at the Kokomo Public Library and then as an over-the-road truck driver, putting in many miles across the entire nation. He was a foster parent to more than 40 kids over the span of more than 25 years.
Robert was a loving husband to Twana for more than 35 years. He was a proud father to Autumn Hunt and Brooke Hunt. Outside of work, Robert was passionate about all things Sci-Fi, especially the show Firefly. He enjoyed mowing his yard and loved to laugh and have a good time. He had a knack for remembering old movie quotes, could throw a kid across the pool, and enjoyed a good conspiracy theory.
He is survived by his wife Twana Hunt, daughters Autumn Hunt and Brooke Hunt, sister Cynthia (Michael) Harvel, nieces and nephews Kristine (Kory) Muller, Christopher (Kristen) Hunt, Ashlee (Brandon) Alberts, Shelby Harvel, and Dakota Harvel, and great nephews and nieces Kaison Muller, Braxton Alberts, Emmy Alberts, and Greyson Alberts.
A living celebration of life was held, and Rob was able to connect with many old friends and family. Robert’s wishes were to be cremated, but a memorial service will be held Saturday, November 1, at 11 a.m. at Mercy Church, 3435 W. Sycamore St., Kokomo, Indiana 46901.
City of Firsts Cremation and Funeral Services by Rose and Geiger was entrusted with the arrangements. www.cityoffirstscremations.com
Joyce R. Zimmerman
Joyce R. Zimmerman, 83, of Kokomo, passed away at 2:08 p.m. Monday, October 20, 2025, at Northwoods Village. She was born on July 13, 1942, in Jamestown, KY, the daughter of the late Everett and Lizzie (Kinnett) McGowan. In June 1963, she married Don Richard Zimmerman in Kokomo, who preceded her in death on November 18, 2024.
Joyce attended Rushville High School. She retired from Delco Electronics after several years of service. She was a longtime member of Grace Community Foursquare Church.
Joyce is survived by her sons Kevin (Colleen) Zimmerman, and Rick (Astrid) Zimmerman; grandchildren Hannah (Nate) Hartwell, Kyle Zimmerman, and Kelsey Zimmerman; great-grandson Nolan Hartwell; sisters Emily Dice, Wilma Maple, and Ann Russell; and brother-in-law Steve (Bette) Zimmerman.
In addition to her husband Don, Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Arlus, Orville, J.C., and Garland McGowan; and sisters Grace Brummett, Genevieve Bell, Carolyn Colvin, Pauline Roberts, and Betty Landis.
In honor with Joyce’s wishes, no public services will take place. Cremation has been entrusted to Shirley & Stout Funeral Homes & Crematory.