Ora Mae Jaenicke, Gertrude “Trudy” Kudrak, Mary Ann Harsh, Michael Charles Baxter, Kathy “Kate” J. Edwards
Ora Mae Jaenicke
Ora Mae Jaenicke, Kokomo, 91, passed away at 12:17 p.m. on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at her home. She was born in Sharps Chapel, TN, on May 9, 1934, the daughter of the late Walter C. and Flora V. (White) Guy. On April 13, 1951, in Kokomo, she married Roy Raymond Jaenicke, and he passed away on November 5, 1999. On October 25, 2002, in Monticello, she married Richard J. McLay, who passed away on September 13, 2025.
Ora was a graduate of Kokomo High School. She retired from Delco Electronics in 1991 after 19 years of service. She had previously worked for 20 years at Cabot/Stellite. She was a member of the Galveston First Baptist Church and coordinated several outreach projects, often serving as chairperson. Ora loved her family and spending time on the lake. She and her husband spent several years wintering in Florida. She loved the outdoors and was an avid gardener, as well as taking care of the birds she enjoyed watching. Ora was a compassionate person. She and her husband Roy were foster parents for many years and always helped others when they could.
Ora is survived by her daughter Gina (Terry) Roe; step-children Richard “Rick” (Sue) McLay and Cynthia Sharp; daughter-in-law Karol Jaenicke; sister Delana (Reno) Smith; grandchildren Jamie (fiancé John Sargent) Jaenicke, Matthew Jaenicke, Kent (Jackie) Kolanko, Megan (Joseph) Fellows, and Aaron (Jada) Roe; great-grandchildren Sean DoBucki, James Kolanko, Jason Kolanko, Rilynn Sargent, Colt Sargent, Joseph Fellows Jr., Valentina Jaenicke, Addyson Roe, and Levi Roe; and several nieces & nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, son Randall Jaenicke, a granddaughter, and 10 brothers and sisters.
The family would like to thank Compassus Hospice, with special thanks to Kayla Leroux and Beth Irick.
A funeral service celebrating Ora’s life will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at Bethel Tabernacle, 661 W 400 S, Kokomo, with Pastor Steve Branstutter officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bethel Tabernacle Food Pantry. Shirley & Stout Funeral Homes & Crematory had been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Gertrude “Trudy” Kudrak
Gertrude “Trudy” Kudrak passed away peacefully on November 14, 2025, at age 89. She was loved and adored by everyone who knew her and will be greatly missed by her friends and family.
Trudy was born in Binghamton, New York, in July 1936. As a child, she enjoyed piano lessons, drawing, animals, and time with her next-door neighbor and best friend Carolyn. An excellent student, she graduated from Binghamton North High School in 1954 and went on to study chemistry at Harpur College (now known as Binghamton University-SUNY).
After receiving her bachelor’s degree in 1958, she began graduate studies in chemistry at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, where she taught chemistry in the home economics department, including a course on the chemistry of food. Cornell is also where she met her loving husband, Daniel. She and her roommates had volunteered to bake apple pies, and when Daniel was sent over by his housemates with the apples, Trudy answered the door. They were married in 1961 in a chapel on the Cornell campus. Her best friend Carolyn married one of Daniel’s housemates, and the couples remained friends throughout their lives.
When Daniel completed his PhD at Cornell University, his employment took the family to Ohio and then to Colorado a decade later. Shortly before the blizzard of 1978, Trudy’s family relocated to Kokomo, Indiana, where Daniel had joined Delco Electronics.
In addition to raising their five children, Trudy was employed by the Catholic Church, Diocese of Lafayette, in the Religious Education Office. She was a long-time member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church after converting to Catholicism as an adult, including sponsoring other adults. She was a dedicated hospital volunteer at St. Vincent Hospital for many years, bringing comfort and a smile to patients. A lifelong learner, she enjoyed teaching as well, later becoming a private math and science tutor for high school students for more than 15 years.
Trudy had a wide variety of interests. She continued to play piano while her children were growing up, and many of them followed in her footsteps. She was blessed with a true green thumb. Some of her favorite activities were gardening, tending houseplants and flowerbeds as well as a large vegetable garden, plus canning fruits and vegetables. Trudy’s delicious pies were always a special dessert in their home! She was a talented seamstress who sewed many of the family’s clothes (sometimes with matching Barbie outfits) and was a member for decades of the Howard County Extension Homemakers Association. She and Daniel enjoyed weekly bowling with a couples bowling league. Trudy also loved doing word puzzles during her entire life.
Later in life, Trudy was invited to art classes at the Kokomo Art Association and rekindled her love of drawing and painting, especially landscapes and still-lifes. In addition, she became skilled at framing her own artwork. For several years, she served as both office manager of the Kokomo Art Center and President of the Kokomo Art Association until 1992, organizing shows and classes for the community. Trudy also discovered quilting as a member of the Kokomo Piecemakers Quilt Guild. She loved to combine different colors and patterns, making and donating many blankets and quilts to charity.
Trudy is survived by her five children: Ken (Renee) Kudrak, Christine (Larry) Majors, Mary (Matthew) Short, Annette Kudrak, and Catherine (Thomas) Fisher; by her eight grandchildren: Devon Kudrak, Natalie (Christopher) Holder, Ryan Majors, Caroline Majors, Graham (Vita) Fisher, Emily Fisher, Anna Fisher, and Danny Fisher; by her three great-grandchildren: Khalia Holder, Amaya Holder, and Micah Holder; by her lifelong best friend Carolyn Johnson; and by numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
Trudy was predeceased by Daniel, her devoted husband of almost 60 years, and her dear brother Ernest (“Ernie”).
Trudy’s family extends the most heartfelt thanks to Friendship Village of Kalamazoo, Michigan, where Trudy received wonderful care during the final years of her life. She particularly loved the music programs and art activities. The family also wishes to thank the dedicated staff of Centrica Care Navigators.
Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, November 20, 2025, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 West Lincoln Road, Kokomo, Indiana. A memorial service for Trudy will be held at 11 a.m. A link will be available at the bottom of Trudy’s obituary page to view the funeral live on Thursday. A graveside service and burial will follow at Kokomo Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Friendship Village Kalamazoo Employee Appreciation Fund, 1400 North Drake Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49006 https://friendshipvillagemi.com/donate/ or to the Kokomo Art Association, 525 W. Ricketts St., Kokomo, IN 46902. https://kokomoartassociation.networkforgood.com
Mary Ann Harsh
Mary Ann Harsh, born on April 18, 1940, in Springville, Michigan, passed away on November 16, 2025, at the age of 85. She was a resident of Kokomo, Indiana.
A visitation will be held at Bible Baptist Church, located at 2635 S. Dixon Road, Kokomo, IN 46902, on November 21, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The funeral service will take place at the same venue on November 22, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Following the funeral service, a committal service will be conducted at Albright Cemetery, 3910 Albright Road, Kokomo, IN 46902, on November 22, 2025, from 2:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Mary Ann Harsh will be laid to rest at Albright Cemetery, located at 3910 Albright Road, Kokomo.
Michael Charles Baxter
Michael Charles Baxter, 67, of Converse, Indiana, formerly of Tipton, passed away at his home on November 11, 2025. He was born on September 22, 1958, in Tipton, Indiana, to Charles Mitchell and Sheila Rae (Sorrell) Baxter. In July 1984, he married Deborah Baxter, the love of his life.
Mike was a dedicated Harley-Davidson enthusiast and a jack of all trades, master of none, except as a loving and devoted husband. He was an active member of the Indiana Slab Masters and the National Crappie League. He enjoyed hunting with his son Cory, fishing with his son Andre and great-grandson Kolten, and sharing long talks and Sunday dinners with his daughter Kim and her family.
Above all, he cherished time spent with his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was a true family man; first to the fight and last one standing.
Mike is survived by his children Kimberly (Eddie Powe) Griffith of Peru, Indiana, Cory (Angela) Griffith of Tipton, and Andre (Stormy) Balser of Converse, Indiana; grandchildren Morgan (James) Armstrong, Clarissa Powe, Zachary Griffith, Gage Cook, Havannah Balser, and Lilli Griffith; great-grandchildren Gianna Powe, Kolten, Madelyn, Raiden, and Evelyn Armstrong.
Mike is also survived by his siblings Dirk (Michele) Baxter of Kokomo, Gwen (Charlie) Wilburn of Anderson, Chris (Tracy) Baxter of Howley, Minnesota, and Destini (Jamie) Nova of University Place, Washington, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Mike was preceded in death by his parents Sheila and Charles.
A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 6, at Young-Nichols Funeral Home in Tipton. Michael’s family will receive friends on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until time of the service.
The staff of Young-Nichols extends condolences to the family and appreciation for their trust during this time. Online condolences may be made on his obituary page at www.young-nichols.com
Kathy “Kate” J. Edwards
Kathy “Kate” J. Edwards, 70, of Indianapolis, passed away on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Community Howard Regional Health – Kokomo. She was born on January 1, 1955, in Indianapolis, Indiana, the daughter of Robert & Peggy (Dixon) Hill.
Kate was a 1972 graduate of Arlington High School. She retired from Community Health Network after 46 years of service in 2021, where she worked as a labor and delivery administrative assistant for both Community Hospital East & South. Kate enjoyed camping, stamping, making her own cards, watching the Colts, Pacers, and Fever, and playing Euchre with her card girls and family.
Kate was a wonderful, caring and loving person and made everyone feel welcome and understood. She would bend over backwards to help those she loved, including taking care of her parents in their final years, and was always willing to help those in need. Kate was real, funny, and easy to be around, and everyone who knew her was blessed to have her in their life. Kate gave wisdom and guidance and made a big impact on everyone who knew her.
Kate was the best Nana to Owen, the perfect momma to Meri and a treasured sister to her sister and brothers.
Kate is survived by her daughter Meridith Edwards; grandson Owen Edwards; sister Bobbe Wesseldine; brothers David Hill and Steve Hill; three sisters-in-law, two brothers-in-law, a mother-in-law who was like a mother; seven nieces; five nephews; four great nieces; 15 great nephews; and five cousins.
Along with her parents, Kate was preceded in death by her beloved son Nathan.
In keeping with Kate’s wishes, no public services will be held at this time. Memorial contributions can be made to your local Humane Society, Homeless Shelter, Women’s Shelter, Food Bank, and Wheeler Mission. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home has been entrusted with cremation. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.