Bogdan “Bob” Japundza, Josephine “Josie” Price
Bogdan “Bob” Japundza
Bogdan “Bob” Japundza, 53, of Kokomo, passed away on December 20, 2025, at IU Health North Hospital in Carmel, IN. Born on April 2, 1972, in Gary, Indiana, he was the beloved son of Nikola and Mira Japundza. On September 25, 1999, he married Kristen Grider, and she survives. He was a 1990 graduate of Andrean High School in Merrillville, Indiana, and went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree from Indiana University.
Bob was a talented and experienced Lead Software Engineer at Allegion, although anyone who spoke to him quickly understood his greatest passion was aviation. He earned his private pilot’s license by the age of 16, later obtaining additional ratings and certifications including his instrument rating, commercial pilot’s license, and certified flight instructor (CFI, CFII). He was actively obtaining his multi-engine rating. He amassed thousands of hours of flying between trips to Oshkosh and Sun’N’Fun, Sunday morning breakfasts, cross-country trips, and anything else he could find an excuse for.
He held an aviation mechanic certification (A&P) with inspection authorization (IA) and was an active member of the experimental aircraft community. He built an RV-6 in 2000 and was nearly finished with an F-1 rocket. His name lives in the logbooks of hundreds of airplanes.
Above all, Bob loved his family and was so proud of each his children for their accomplishments. In addition to his wife Kristen, he is survived by their three children Ethan Japundza (Alyssa Nuzzi), Evan Japundza (Anna Lewandowski), and Lauren Japundza; his parents Nick and Mira Japundza; mother-in-law Marcia Grider; brother-in-law Scott Grider; niece Brooklyn Symons; extended family in Serbia; many special friends and colleagues; and his beloved dogs Piper, Lucy, and Rosie.
He was preceded in death by his sister Donna Japundza Henley and father-in-law Albert V. Grider Jr.
A memorial gathering will be held on December 29, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM with services immediately following at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home, 2097 W. Alto Road, Kokomo, IN. Anyone who wishes to share a funny story or favorite memory will have an opportunity to do so. A fly-in celebration of life will be held later in the spring with details to be shared at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his name to Pilots N Paws, 4651 Howe Rd. Landrum, SC 29356 or the charity of your choice.
Josephine “Josie” Price
Josephine “Josie” Price, 82, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2025, at North Woods Village in Kokomo. Born on January 15, 1943, in Harlan, Kentucky, she was the daughter of the late Paul & Ruby (Fleeman) Cothern. On November 18, 1961, she married Reggie Price, and they celebrated 52 years of marriage. He preceded her in death on February 17, 2013. He was her best friend, and they were truly devoted to each other. Josie lived a life rooted in faith, family, and service.
Josie was a devoted minister and an active member of the Church of God of Prophecy. She played a foundational role in helping to establish the church and remained committed to its mission for as long as her health allowed. Her dedication to her faith community was unwavering and left a lasting impact on those she served alongside. Family was at the heart of Josie’s life.
A woman of many talents and passions, Josie found joy in the simple pleasures of life. She was an avid reader of Christian literature and found inspiration through the written word. In the kitchen, she was known far and wide for her delicious cooking and baking—especially her famous peanut butter fudge, buckeyes, and pumpkin rolls—and was well known for her ham and beans with cornbread. These dishes became treasured traditions at family gatherings and are fondly remembered by all who had the pleasure of tasting them.
Above all else, Josie was deeply family oriented. Her warmth, generosity, and steadfast love created a strong foundation for generations to come.
Josie’s children Tammy, Wanda, Regina, and Brad, would like to express how much they appreciated the love, care, and devotion that her siblings showed her, especially Frieda, Greg, and Dee. They took such good care of mom through her last years, getting her whatever she needed, doing her laundry, and visiting her every day. We can’t thank you enough.
She is lovingly remembered by her children Tammy Bialik, Wanda (Jason) Ahrens, Regina (Dave) Swain, and Brad (Suzanne) Price; daughter-in-law Christy Price; grandchildren Abraham Bialik, Solomon (Sarita) Bialik, Triniti (Logan) Overturf, Olivia (Damon) Lange, Levi Ahrens, Luke Ahrens, Sidney Abney, Gavin (Abby) Price, Keagan Price, and Riley Price; great-grandchildren Fiona Bialik, Theodore Lange, and Oakley Price; siblings Thelma (Mike) Cree, Joel (Linda) Cothern, Frieda (Greg) Taylor, Sharon (Ralph) Huff, and Paul (Mary) Cothern, along with numerous nieces and nephews who were dear to her heart.
Josie was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband Reggie; her son Jeff Price; and sisters Beatrice Kay “Katie” Cothern and Pauline Mulkey.
May Josephine “Josie” Price’s memory be a source of comfort to all who knew and loved her.
A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, with Pastor Vic Pearson officiating. Burial will follow in South Union Cemetery. Visitation for friends and family will be held from 11 a.m. until time of service. Memorial contributions may be made in Josie’s memory to American Diabetes Association, Alzheimer’s Association or the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer.