Obituaries, February 14, 2026

Written on 02/14/2026


Janet Sue Nelson, Carol (LeVan) Grabow, Richard “Mooch” Charles Muchler, Linda Susan Shelly, James “Jim” Perry Stewart, Lecia Suzanne Loving Schembre

Janet Sue Nelson

Janet Sue Nelson, 71, Kokomo, passed away at 8 a.m. on Thursday February 12, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her family. She was born in Kokomo on January 18, 1955, to the late Robert L. and Rose M. (Purvis) Roach.

Janet graduated from Kokomo High School and later earned her CDA, Child Development Associate. She worked for the YMCA Early Learning Center for 17 years before she retired in August of 2025. She was a member of Mercy Church, where she sang in the choir and served as a Sunday School teacher for 40-plus years. She loved doing crafts and was an avid reader and could often be found reading on her lunch break. Above all, Janet loved her family, especially her grandchildren.

Janet is survived by her daughter Melissa (Mark) Markley of Kokomo, IN; daughter-in-law Shanna Nelson of Bourbon, IN; brothers Steven (Peggy) Roach of Derby, KS, and Mark A. Roach of Kokomo, IN; sister Cassandra “Sandy” Smith of Kokomo, IN; 10 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and 18 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son Joseph Anthony “Tony” Nelson; and grandparents Rev. Stanley and Irene Purvis.

A funeral service celebrating Janet’s life will take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday February 19, 2026, at Mercy Church, 3435 W Sycamore St., Kokomo, with Rev. Bobby Carter officiating. Burial will follow in Albright Cemetery. Friends may visit the family from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday February 18, 2026, at the church. Memorial contributions may be made in Janet’s memory to the American Cancer Society, donate.cancer.org. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.



Carol (LeVan) Grabow

Carol (LeVan) Grabow, 90, passed away peacefully on February 12, 2026, at her home in Kokomo, IN, surrounded by her family. Carol exuded incredible kindness, generosity, humor, and compassion to all she met. She said frequently that the two most important loves in her life were her faith in God and her family. She, indeed, loved them well.

Carol was born on December 11, 1935, to Thomas and Emily LeVan in Milwaukee, WI. She attended Marquette University in Milwaukee and was a member of Alpha Tau Delta and Theta Phi Alpha sororities. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in 1957. While at Marquette, she met her husband Gale Grabow (Marquette ME ‘57), and they were married in 1956. Seven children and a National Cooking contest win later, Carol returned to Marquette and obtained a Master’s in Nursing in 1970.

Carol and her family moved to Kokomo, IN, in 1972, where she accepted a position as a Nursing professor at Indiana University-Kokomo. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she helped develop curriculum for Nursing Professor Graduate programs and also assisted colleges with developing and accrediting their Bachelor of Nursing programs.

Carol remained a Nursing professor until her retirement in 1999, and then began her second vocation, volunteering. Carol was a volunteer Chaplain at Saint Joseph hospital and went to Haiti with her church as a medical team to serve, continuing her legacy of caring for the sick. She also was a volunteer at Saint Vincent DePaul and Birthright in Kokomo and served in various ways at Saint Joan of Arc Church.

Carol’s lifelong kind and generous nature resulted in numerous fun and occasionally boisterous family vacations. All seven of her children and their families enjoyed traveling with Carol to Jamaica, multiple locations in Florida, Myrtle Beach, SC, Branson, MO, the Wisconsin Dells, and on Caribbean cruises. Her children joined her on Christian pilgrimages to Ireland, Italy, France, Medjugorje, and the Holy Land.

Carol is survived by her children Susan Zajac, Karyn (Juan) Valades, Lisa (Jack) Laughner, Cindy (Gregg) Lees, Gregory (Janice) Grabow, Holly (Steve) Moore, and Jeffrey (Denise) Grabow; 24 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and son in law Jerry Zajac.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:30 p.m., Friday February 20, 2026, at St Joan of Arc Catholic Church, with Rev. Fr. Dennis O’Keeffe, celebrant. Burial will follow in Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery. Friends may visit the family from 10:30 a.m. to the start of the Mass on Friday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made in Carol’s memory to the charity of your choice. Shirley & Stout Funeral Homes has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.



Richard “Mooch” Charles Muchler

Richard “Mooch” Charles Muchler, 79, of Bunker Hill, Indiana, passed away February 12, 2026. He was born on August 11, 1946, in Hornell, New York, the son of John and Marilyn (Birch) Muchler. He married Betty Wheat, who survives. Richard proudly served his country in the United States Air Force from 1966 to 1991. He retired as a Master Sergeant. He worked for Schneider National Trucking company for five years. He worked and volunteered at the Grissom Air Museum and was one of its founding fathers.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 56 years Betty; children Kimberly (Ross) Caplan, Richard (Joni) Muchler, and Sherry (Kenneth) Melanson; grandchildren Joshua Bertrand, Alexandria (Jamie) Toppe, Brittany Bertrand, Andrew (Kassidy) Muchler, Tyler Melanson, Maci Muchler, and Kaylee Melanson; great-grandchildren Oaklynn Muchler, Baylor Toppe, Harlynn Muchler, and Briley Toppe; and brothers John (Sharon) Muchler and Thomas Muchler.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents John and Marilyn Muchler.

Memorial contributions may be made in Richard’s memory to Grissom Air Museum. A Celebration of Life will be held on April 4, 2026. Further information will be provided at a later date. Share a memory with the family at www.ellersmortuary.com.



Linda Susan Shelly

Linda Susan Shelly, 76, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away on Friday, February 13, 2026. She was born April 1, 1949, to James and Mary Helen Webb.

Linda dedicated 33 years of her life to the noble profession of nursing, serving with compassion and diligence in Florida. Her career was marked by a steadfast commitment to caring for others, a testament to her nurturing spirit.

Beyond her professional life, she was an enthusiast of the great outdoors, finding peace and exhilaration in skiing, golfing, and bike riding. Her love for these activities was a reflection of her active and adventurous nature.

Linda was also a cherished member of Present Truth Fellowship Church in Ocala, Florida. Her faith and commitment to her community were guiding lights in her life, illuminating the path for those around her.

Linda was preceded in death by her father James Webb, her brother Gary Webb, and her brother-in-law Chuck Courtney. She is survived by a loving family who will carry her memory forward: her mother Mary Helen Webb; her children Michelle Glosser (Brad) of Kokomo, Indiana, Jim Pierce of Orlando, Florida, Carol Powell of Papillion, Nebraska, and Anthony “AJ” Shelly of Ocala, Florida; her grandchildren Lindsey Pierce, Logan Sarber (Kaylee), Jesse Pierce, Mason Pierce, Brandon Powell (Cassie), Megan Swiercek (Justin), Cory Powell, and Kristen Smith (Will); her great-grandchildren Kaya Holmes, Braxton Harris, Noah Powell, Annabelle Powell, Luke Powell, Ty McCampbell, Andrew Swiercek, Nick Swiercek, Julie Stensrude, and Liv Smith; and her great-great-grandchildren Bella Birkey and Kason Holmes-Birkey. Linda is also survived by her sisters Kathy Courtney and Connie Sexton.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Legacy at Waterford Place and Compassus hospice for their wonderful care of Linda during her final days.

To honor Linda’s wishes there will not be a public service.



James “Jim” Perry Stewart

James “Jim” Perry Stewart, 79, of Kokomo, passed away at 11:33 p.m. on Monday, February 9, 2026, at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital 86th Street in Indianapolis. He was born January 22, 1947, in St. Mary’s, West Virginia, to Gale and Dessie (Morris) Stewart. On September 14, 1968, he married Constance “Connie” Rautenbusch at Faith United Methodist Church in Kokomo, and she survives.

Jim graduated from Lost Creek High School in West Virginia in 1964. Following graduation, he proudly served in the United States Army from 1964 to 1967, including service in Vietnam, and attained the rank of SP4. After returning home, Jim started a career with General Motors as a job setter, where he worked for more than 30 years before retiring. He went on to work part-time at Meijer for an additional 11 years before retiring a second time. Jim was a talented woodcarver and an active member of the Eastern Woodland Carvers Club in Converse. He was also a dedicated member of the VFW.

In addition to his wife Connie Stewart, survivors include his son Brian (Melanie) Stewart; grandchildren Alli Sharp, A.J. Stewart, David Stewart, and Stephen Stewart; great-grandchildren Will Sharp, Abbi Sharp, and Liam Stewart; and nieces Nila Myers and Tammy Yoakum.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Marjorie Armstrong.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at a later date in Albright Cemetery. Contributions may be made in Jim’s memory to the Eastern Woodland Carver’s Club or the VFW. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, Kokomo.



Lecia Suzanne Loving Schembre

Lecia Suzanne Loving Schembre passed away Sunday, February 8, 2026, peacefully and with family by her side. She was born in Abilene, Texas, and met her husband of almost 53 years in Indiana, where she lived for the remainder of her years. She was a daughter, wife, mother, sister, and grandmother. She was married to Jim for 19,336 days; a long time.

She left behind a daughter Amanda and her husband Neal Adams, grandson Cayden Lewton and grandson Mason Lewton, son Michael and his wife Teresa Schembre, a sister Lois and her husband JR McIntire.

She will be greatly missed, especially her quick wit and her ability to never forget. I mean never! She was a great cook, dancer, and mother. She loved ceramics, crocheting, and flyfishing. She tried ballroom dancing with her husband, but she could line dance and two-step with the best of them. She recently bought a ukulele and started lessons on it.

He wishes were to be cremated with a celebration of life to be at her New Castle home and another to be at her daughter’s brewery, Sun King in Kokomo.

Everyone who knew her knew that Lecia did not like the cold, so we will pick a sunny, warm day in the springtime to have the celebrations. We will send out information, letting everyone know when we plan on celebrating her and the amazing life she was able to live!

In lieu of flowers, we are asking for donations to be made to Diabetes Youth Foundation Indiana https://dyfofindiana.org/donate/

Love,

Jim, Amanda, Michael, and Lois

Remember, be kind, respectful, and compassionate to those around you. Life is short!