Sharon Sue Droll, Harry Butler, Michael “Mike” Steven Brankle, Paul Thomas Martin Sr., Richard (Rick) Marvin Shanks, Bill Eugene Daugherty
Sharon Sue Droll
Sharon Sue Droll passed away on December 21, 2025, at the age of 80. She was born on May 2, 1945, to James and Rosaline (Kelley) Hanesworth in Kokomo, Indiana. She was a graduate of Western High School. She married Walter T. Droll and devoted her life as a homemaker, raising her children. She was a member of the Kokomo Poetry Circle in the 1980s & ‘90s. Sharon enjoyed crocheting and made numerous blankets for the Kokomo Rescue Mission in her lifetime. She delighted in seeing movies and theatre shows and took pleasure in traveling. She loved her family and her dogs the most.
Sharon was a feisty, humorous, and beloved individual who will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Surviving to cherish her memory are her children Carol (Droll) Head & her husband Charles, James Droll & his wife Lydia, and David Droll, all of Kokomo, Indiana; grandchildren Stephanie, Jessica & Joshua, Thomas, Matthew & Abigail, and Joseph & Isabelle; great-grandchildren Brianna & Jaxson (Bruce), Cian, Kaelin, Kiara & Cadhla (Head), Lucas & Elijah (Nicholson), and Melody & Oliver (Droll); and brother Ronald Hanesworth & his wife Barbara, of Vancouver, Washington.
Sharon was preceded in death by her husband Walter T. Droll; parents James and Rosaline Hanesworth; and her sister Joyce.
A visitation will be held on December 30, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Ellers Mortuary & Cremation Center, located at 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo, IN, 46902.
Following the visitation, a funeral service will take place at the same location from 1:00 p.m. to 1:40 p.m.
Harry Butler
Harry Butler, age 86, Logansport, passed away Thursday, December 24, at home surrounded by the love of his life, wife Vicki, and his loving family who loved him dearly. There was no greater love than what Harry and Vicki shared for each other for 36 wonderful years.
Harry owned and operated several convenience stores over the years in Walton, Russiaville, and Cassville - the most recent store as B & B corner store in Walton. He was a brilliant businessman and could sell anything. It was once said that Harry could sell ice in the middle of winter and make a profit. He was a true Ford man and dearly loved old cars of which he had many.
Harry was born in Kokomo to the late Alvin and Stella Heineman Butler.
Surviving are his wife Vicki and two children Ellen Butler and Jeff Butler. Also surviving are stepchildren Jason and Cory Ulerick and Erica Schache, along with five grandchildren Avalynn, Maddux, and Landry Schache and Trent and McKenzie Ulerick. He deeply loved his family.
A brother Paul (Brenda) Butler and sister-in-law Mary Butler survive. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded on death by his parents, a brother Robert Butler, and four sisters Phyllis Lemmon, Rose Lemmon, Linda Magnet, and Sue Wyrick.
Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday, December 29, at Kroeger-Crain Funeral Home.
The funeral service is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Monday also at the funeral home.
Interment will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery.
Michael “Mike” Steven Brankle
Michael “Mike” Steven Brankle, 78, of Kokomo, passed away on Wednesday December 24, 2025, at Century Villa in Greentown. A lifelong resident of Kokomo, Mike was born May 15, 1947, the son of Clarence “Pete” and Anne (Cunningham) Brankle. Mike will lovingly be remembered as the friendly, red-haired man who never met a stranger.
Mike is survived by his devoted wife of 56 years Janet (Trueblood) Brankle, who he married on April 19, 1969, at Northview Christian Church. Mike is also survived by his only child, a daughter Amy (Brankle) Thurmond, and her husband Craig Thurmond, along with his granddaughter Kate Thurmond.
Mike graduated from Western High School in 1965 and was employed at Chrysler Transmission for 34½ years. He enjoyed his retirement traveling, looking for treasures at antique stores, collecting Greentown Glass, volunteering, and spending time with his daughter, and particularly cherishing his time with his granddaughter Kate. Mike was a 50-year member of South Side Christian Church where he served in many roles throughout the decades, including Chairman of the Property and Stewardship committees. Mike was also immensely proud to support the Western High School marching band during his daughter’s high-school years from 1985-1989, including helping manage uniforms and ultimately serving as president of the band parents.
Mike is preceded in death by aunts, uncles, and cousins, as well as his wife’s family who he considered his own: brothers and sisters-in-law Robert “Bob” and Phylis Trueblood; Encil and Sandy Trueblood; John and Marty Trueblood; Marvin and Deloris Trueblood; Bill Trueblood; and David Trueblood. Mike is survived by his sister-in-law Midge Trueblood and many nieces and nephews, as well as several cousins.
Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo, IN 46902. A funeral service celebrating Mike’s life will begin 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at South Side Christian Church, 201 E. Markland Ave., Kokomo, IN 46901, with Pastor Lynne Kreiger and Rev. Chuck Babcock officiating. Burial will follow in Albright Cemetery. Contributions may be made in Mike’s memory to South Side Christian Church. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Paul Thomas Martin Sr.
Paul Thomas Martin Sr., age 85, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away on December 25, 2025, at 7:17 a.m. He was born on August 19, 1940. Paul lived a life defined by hard work, dedication, and quiet devotion to those he loved. He was a steady presence—reliable, determined, and unwavering in his commitment to family.
Paul was married to his wife Elizabeth Edwards for 64 years. Together they built a life grounded in loyalty, perseverance, and mutual support. He was a devoted father to Paul Thomas Martin Jr., Timothy Alan Martin, and Jeffrey Wayne Martin (Laurie). His role as husband and father was central to who he was, and he showed his care through consistency and action rather than words.
Paul spent 31 years working at Chrysler before retiring and served three years in the United States Army. He took great pride in his work and believed deeply in the value of showing up every day and doing the job right. That work ethic carried through every part of his life and was something he passed on by example.
In his free time, Paul enjoyed woodworking, working on cars, model trains, and his yard. He found satisfaction in building, fixing, and understanding how things worked. These hobbies reflected his personality—focused, hands-on, and purposeful.
He was a proud grandfather to Seth, Raelene, Annah, Jordan, Julia, Lauren, and Keith, and great-grandfather to William, Annabelle, Xoey, Xena, Della, Ryan, and Brendan. His family brought him great pride, and he remained devoted to them and to his friends throughout his life.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents Leslie and Laverne Martin; his sisters Phyllis Anderson and Patricia Huddleston; and his brother Chester Martin. He is survived by his brother Douglas Martin and many loving nieces and nephews.
Paul will be remembered as a steady, stubborn, hardworking man who believed in dedication, responsibility, and standing by the people who mattered to him.
A graveside service celebrating Paul’s life will begin 2:30 p.m. Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Mount Hope Cemetery in Peru, IN. Military honors will be provided by the United States Army, and the graveside will be officiated by Steven Claspell. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Paul’s memory to the Kokomo Humane Society. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Richard (Rick) Marvin Shanks
Richard (Rick) Marvin Shanks 56, of Zephyrhills, Florida, peacefully passed away on December 21, 2025, at Advent Health Zephyrhills with his wife and daughter by his side.
Rick was born August 7, 1969, in Kokomo, Indiana, to William and Janis (Cook) Shanks. He was born and raised in Indiana. He moved to Florida in 1999. On August 14, 2000, he married Kimberlee Ann Freeman in Sevierville, TN.
Rick and Kim had a very unique love story. They met in high school and became fast friends. When they went on separate paths after school, their paths always seemed to cross along the way. But one phone call changed everything. They went on a date one night and were inseparable from that point on. They were married for 25 years and often during that time, they realized that even before meeting in school, they had met as far back as when they were kids.
He shared a love of music and quoting lines from movies with Kim. Loved anything history related, sports, and his friends and family. He had a generous and compassionate heart. And his sense of humor brightened the lives around him. But his greatest gift of all was his “Baby Girl” Amanda (Matt) Hooks, Dade City, FL.
He is also survived by his best friend and brother William “Bub” (Sara) Shanks, Onward, IN, his niece and nephew Joelle and Noah Shanks, and uncle Denny (Glenna) Cook, Kokomo, IN. He also extended his family tree when he married Kim. All of his beloved pets, especially his cat, Marley and his puppy, Griswold. Along with all of his friends was his special friend, Peaches.
He is preceded in death by both his parents, and both paternal and maternal grandparents. There will be no service at this time.
Bill Eugene Daugherty
Bill Eugene Daugherty, of Kokomo, 92, passed away Monday, December 15, 2025. Bill was born on August 1, 1933, to the late Wilbur and Alice (Wiles) Daugherty. Born and raised in the heart of Kokomo, his life was as rich and vibrant as the town he loved so dearly. Memories of riding his pony Champ around town, sleigh rides, running up a candy tab at his grandad’s grocery store, and hitching rides on the back bumpers of cars while roller skating down Washington Street with his sister Mary are treasured stories that will be passed down for many years to come.
A proud graduate of Kokomo High School’s Class of 1952, he successfully balanced sports and academics with working at his family’s furniture store. Bill attended Indiana University, Bloomington, where he studied business before answering the call of duty to serve his country in the United States Air Force. He enjoyed his time in the military and spent the majority of his three years of active duty stationed in Newfoundland, where he honed his skills as an Air Traffic Controller, a role that demanded precision, calm, and a steady hand. He spent an additional year in the Air Force Reserve.
Upon his return to Kokomo, he married Virginia (Harris), and she survives. Together, they raised their family in the beloved home where Bill resided from the age of six until his death. Bill continued to work alongside his parents at Daugherty Furniture Store until the business was sold in 1964. He was manager and later partial owner of Indiana Mulberry Real Estate until 2017, when the successful venture was sold. His professional life was a testament to his dedication, hard work, and the trust the community placed in him.
Bill’s heart was never far from the water. He had a lifelong affinity for sailboats and the beach, finding solace and joy in the waves of Lake Michigan and the sands of Florida. A lifelong learner, he had an entrepreneurial spirit and the mind of an inventor. Bill’s love of nature, travel and adventure remained with him throughout his lifetime. His greatest joy was spending time with family, and he will be truly missed.
Survivors include his wife of 66 years Virginia Daugherty; son Kris (Bonnie) Daugherty and daughter Holly Daugherty; grandsons Eric Daugherty, Chad (Adrienne) Daugherty, Shawn (Alesha) Daugherty, Andrew Daugherty, and Spencer Daugherty; and several great-grandchildren. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Yuvonne Cross and Mary Parker; several nephews; and a son Rick E. Daugherty.
A private scattering of ashes ceremony will be held in Maderia Beach, Florida.
City of Firsts Cremation and Funeral Services by Rose and Geiger was entrusted with the arrangements. www.cityoffirstscremations.com