Ray Gearld Taskey, Doris M. (Funke) Whidden, T. Clarine Hart, Helen Marie Shook
Ray Gearld Taskey
Ray Gearld Taskey, age 90, was born the 10th child of Omer and Goldie (Anderson)Taskey on October 12, 1935. He died November 21, 2025, at North Woods Village in Kokomo, Indiana.
Ray was a proud Marine serving in the Korean War.
In the summer of 1961, he met Carolyn Schaaf at Wolfcale’s Drive-In, located in Kokomo. Sixty-three years later, they continued their first date. They married on June 16, 1962. Together, they had two children: Tracy Elaine and Todd Evan. In 1992, he welcomed his first grandchild Logan Evan, and three years later Libby Grace. He played a major part of his grandchildren’s lives. To honor their Grandpa, both chose the name “Ray” as the middle name of their firstborn.
Ray worked for 30 years as a HVAC specialist at Stellite/Cabot/Haynes International, retiring in 1989. He then worked for himself for about 15 years.
Ray was an exuberant IU fan as well as a Cincinnati Reds and a fan of Northwestern High School sports. He even attended many games after his children and nephews graduated.
Surviving are: his wife of 63 years Carolyn; his daughter Tracy (Michael) LeVeque; grandchildren Logan Gibson and his partner Christina Gandt, Libby Leach, and Ryan Leach; great-grandchildren Zoey, Oliver, Fitzgerald Ray Leach, Ellington “Eli” Jude Leach, and Porter Ray Gibson. He is the final survivor of his immediate family. Preceded him in death were five brothers and five sisters; also, in-laws Harold and Elsie Schaaf; sister-in-law Joan Schaaf; brother-in-law Neil Schwarz; and son Todd Taskey.
A very special thank you to the staff at the Cottage at North Woods Village who took excellent care of Ray and a special thank you to Guardian Angels Hospice.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at Converse Christian Church, 301 E. Wabash Street, Converse, with Pastor Ken Rushing officiating. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 24, 2025, at the church. Entombment will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery, 2097 W. Alto Road, Kokomo. Hasler & Stout Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Converse Christian Church in Ray’s memory. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.hasler-stout.com
Doris M. (Funke) Whidden
Doris M. (Funke) Whidden, age 95, of West Palm Beach, Florida, passed away on November 18, 2025. Doris was born in Tipton County, Indiana, on July 9, 1930, to Joseph and Edna (Vair) Funke. On August 18, 1948, she married Eugene Whidden at St. John’s Catholic Church in Tipton, IN.
Doris was predeceased by her husband Eugene Whidden; son James Whidden; brother William Funke; and sister Joan Blackburn Dow. Doris is survived by her children Robert (Diane) Whidden, Jeanne (Dal) Major, Mary Jo (Robert) Townsend, William (Jacque) Whidden, Carolyn Lilly, and Thomas (Tina) Whidden; sisters Mary Ann (Max) Smith, Martha Eversfield, Madonna (Johnie) Miller, and sister-in-law Catherine Funke. Doris will be lovingly remembered by her 25 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and other relatives and countless friends who will miss her dearly.
Doris faithfully served the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church community in West Palm Beach for more than five decades. She played the organ at Masses for more than 50 years and provided music for countless weddings and funerals throughout the county; many of them as a gift, freely offered from her generous heart.
Her service to the church reached far beyond music. Doris worked as a substitute in the classrooms, taught choir, assisted in the parish offices, and shared her faith by teaching Catechism classes. She also used her sewing talents to care for the church’s sacred spaces, crafting altar cloths and lovingly mending vestments and cassocks whenever they were needed. Doris brought joy to every corner of parish life. She especially loved working the Irish Coffee booth at the festivals, where her kindness and humor made everyone feel welcome.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Monday, November 24, 2025, at Tillman Funeral Home & Crematory, 2170 South Military Trail, West Palm Beach. A Vigil Service will be celebrated by Deacon Pete Mazzella at 7:30 PM at the funeral home on Monday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Yves Francois at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, 345 South Military Trail, West Palm Beach. Following Mass, Doris will be laid to rest at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Cemetery in Royal Palm Beach.
T. Clarine Hart
T. Clarine Hart, 87, of Kokomo, passed away on November 20, 2025, at The Brickyard Golden Living Center. She was born on March 7, 1938, in Cave City, Arkansas, to the late L. Otis and Lessie (Kent) Runsick. She married Willard Hart in 2002, and he passed away on May 19, 2005.
Clarine worked as a LPN in the OB Ward at Community Howard for many years before she started working for Delco Electronics, from which she retired in October 1999. She was a member of the UAW Local 292. Clarine volunteered at several churches’ daycares in Kokomo throughout the years. She had a special place in her heart for children. Clarine also enjoyed traveling.
She is survived by her daughter Jane Martin; three sons Jon Martin, Steve Martin, and Michael Martin; nine grandchildren Nicholas, Andrew, Sarah, Christopher, Holly, Jennifer, Nathan, Spencer, and Kaiser; 19 great-grandchildren Lily, Bri, Maddie, Bready, Emma, Maci, Lucas, Jaxon, Grayson, Aiden, David, Isaac, Elizabeth, Olivia, Jude, Gabriel, Andrew “A.J.”, Vera, and Vivi; twin sister F. Clarice Harp; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Preceded in death is her loving husband Willard; and two sons, Jeffrey Martin and Timothy Martin.
There will be a visitation for Clarine on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, from 10:00 AM until the time of service at 12:00 PM at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home, 2097 West Alto Road, Kokomo. Pastor Jeff Russell will be officiating. Burial will follow to Albright Cemetery.
Helen Marie Shook
Helen Marie Shook, 82, of Kokomo, passed away on Friday, November 21, 2025, at 7:55 PM at her residence. She was born on January 22, 1943, in White County, Arkansas, to the late Clarence Hiram “Bodad” Bradley and Flora Edna (Jones) Bradley. Helen married Everett Shook on February 18, 1961, in Kokomo, and he passed away on January 29, 2000.
Helen retired from Szabo Food Service (Chrysler cafeteria) after 25 years of employment. She enjoyed line dancing, gardening, spending winters in Florida with Everett, and she was a lifelong, die-hard Cubs fan. Above all, Helen was a homemaker, mother, and grandmother who enjoyed spending time with her family.
She is survived by son Tim Shook and her daughter-in-law Paulla Shook; three grandchildren Dylan Wayne Shook, Ethan Thomas Shook, and Marra Lee Marie Shook; two sisters Gladys Gilbert and Rita Hartman; brother-in-law John Jones; and many nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death is loving husband of 40 years Everett; son Keith Alan Shook; grandson Evan Keith Shook; granddaughter Brandi Jay Glass; sisters and brothers-in-law Edna Mae and Walter “Bud” Swisher, Martha and Tom Wilson; sister Freda Jones; and her sister and best friend Barbara Ann Welcher.
There will be a time of visitation for Helen on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, from 2:00 PM until the time of service at 4:00 PM at Ellers Mortuary and Cremation Center, 3400 South Webster Street, Kokomo, IN. Pastor Adam Rinehart will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Helen to the Community Foundation of Howard County for the Everett and Helen Shook Community Fund. Envelopes will be provided at the funeral home.