Garnet Gray, Arnold Paul Drake, David Thomas Barlow, Bobbie Irene Reed, Cary Jefferson Higginbotham
Garnet Gray
Garnet Gray, 85, Flora, passed away at 9:48 a.m. on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at his home. He was born on January 25, 1941, to the late Parker and Hazel (Dishon) Gray. On June 14, 1962, he married Janet Gillam, and she survives.
Garnet graduated from Northwestern High School in 1959. He was a farmer for most his life and was very passionate about it. He previously worked at Northwestern driving a school bus, and at Delco for 15 years. He was a member of Upper Deer Creek Church. He loved his family, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing and riding his lawnmower.
Along with his wife Janet, Garnet is survived by his children Rick (Cindy) Gray, Kelley (Bobby) Jackson, Kim Gray, and Darrick Gray (fiancée Cindy Heuermann); grandchildren Aaron (Kim) Jackson, Matt (Jackie) Gray, Brandon (Ashley) Jackson, Hope (Cary) Carter, Erica (Kurtis) Weasner, Courtney Gray, Brooke (Eric) Shelton, Kaitlyn Stewart, Jospeh Damico, and Steven (Kady) Damico; several great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Lloyd Gray, Frances Sopher, Leon Gray, and Carolyn VanMeter.
A funeral service celebrating Garnet’s life will take place at 4 p.m. on Saturday February 28, 2026, at Stout & Son Funeral Home-Neptune Chapel, Burlington, with Pastor Mark Davis officiating. Burial will take place in Mound Cemetery at 11 a.m. Monday March 2, 2026. Friends may visit the family from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes.org, or the Cerebral Palsy Foundation, cerebralpalsyfoundation.org. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.stoutandson.com.
Arnold Paul Drake
Arnold Paul Drake, 78, of Kokomo, passed away at 6:42 a.m., Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at Primrose Assisted Living. He was born on June 1, 1947, the son of the late Howard G. and Armilda Louise (Wickes) Drake. On January 24, 1975, he married Joyce Ebbinghouse, who preceded him in death on December 12, 2024.
Paul worked with quality hardwood products at a sawmill. He was a member of the Isaak Walton League. Paul also enjoyed collecting guns as well as shooting and hunting. He joined the Army in September 1968 and earned the Purple Heart during his time. He served in Vietnam from February to June of 1969.
Paul is survived by his brother Phil (Linda) Drake; niece Cheryl (Preston) Smith; and nephews George Drake and Gary (Kris) Drake.
Along with his wife Joyce, he was preceded in death by his parents Howard and Armilda Drake, and sister Pamela J. Drake.
A funeral service celebrating Paul’s life will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, March 2, 2026, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo. Burial will follow in Albright Cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Army and the Kokomo VFW Military Rites Team. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Messages of condolences may be made at www.shirleyandstout.com.
David Thomas Barlow
David Thomas Barlow, 76, Kokomo, Indiana, passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Born on March 24, 1949, in Logansport, Indiana, he was the son of Earl LeRoy Barlow and Dorothy Elizabeth (Durbin) Barlow. On September 18, 1981, in Kokomo, Indiana, he was married to Glenda Darlene (Dickerhoff) Steininger, who survives.
David graduated from Logansport High School and retired Chrysler Corporation in Kokomo. He was a member Southside Apostolic Church-Kokomo, United Auto Workers, and Kokomo Master Gardners.
In addition to his wife Glenda Barlow of Kokomo, he is survived by three children Rob (Cindy) Steininger of Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina; Evon Steininger of Kokomo; and Elise Chris Brown (Kevin Weir) of Kokomo; as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; nephews Quinn Barlow and John Spencer; and niece Jodi Volkman.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Gary Barlow.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, March 2, 2026, at Southside Apostolic Church, 1716 E. Firmin St. Kokomo. Pastor Keith Mosier will officiate. A private burial will be later in the afternoon at Westlawn Cemetery, Denver, Indiana.
Visitation will be from Noon until the time of service on Monday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Southside Apostolic Church.
McClain Funeral Home, Denver, Indiana, has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.mcclainfh.com.
Bobbie Irene Reed
Bobbie Irene Reed, a beacon of love and generosity, completed her earthly journey on February 24, 2026, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Born on May 2, 1938, in Laurel County, Kentucky, to the late Thomas Young and Della Benge, Bobbie’s life was a testament to the power of kindness and the strength of family ties.
Bobbie’s early years were spent in the rolling hills of Kentucky, where she blossomed into a young woman of remarkable character and warmth. She carried the spirit of her upbringing with her throughout her life, spreading joy and friendship wherever she went. After graduating from Laurel County High School, Bobbie embarked on a lifelong career with CVS, dedicating 37 years of service before retiring at the age of 78.
Her home was a wellspring of hospitality, filled with the aroma of her cooking and the laughter of her loved ones. Bobbie’s zest for life was evident in her younger years when she enjoyed bowling, a hobby that reflected her competitive yet playful spirit. As technology evolved, so did Bobbie, embracing social media and the digital world, finding joy in assembling puzzles on her tablet and staying connected with friends and family.
Bobbie’s legacy of love is carried on by her adoring family, including her son Bill Parsley (Lesa) and daughter Susie Cook. She was a cherished grandmother to Jessie Fred (Talan Stuber), Britney Holder (Russell), Tyler Parsley, Jeremy Reiter, and Cadance Reiter (Fiancé Braden Demler), and a proud great-grandmother to Maddax Stuber. Her siblings Lorraine Young-Duck (Jim) and Thomas Young (Connie), along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, also survive her. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 40 years Fredrick V. Reed, great-granddaughter Kendall Spicer, siblings Loman, Ray, and Fayette Young, and Nora Sue Rush, and step-siblings Morris, Norman, and Doris.
Bobbie was a woman of infinite charm and friendliness, touching the lives of all who knew her with her loving and generous nature. Her presence was a gift to her community, and her memory will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to have known her.
As we bid farewell to Bobbie Irene Reed, we celebrate a life beautifully lived and a journey completed with grace. Her spirit remains a guiding light to all, and her story—a narrative of love, service, and community—will be told for generations to come. The world is a better place for having been graced by Bobbie’s time in it, and she will be deeply missed by many.
City of Firsts Cremation and Funeral Services by Rose and Geiger was entrusted with the arrangements. wwwcityoffirstscremations.com
Cary Jefferson Higginbotham
Cary Jefferson Higginbotham, 88, of Greentown, passed away at 8:03 a.m. on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at Community Howard Regional Health in Kokomo. He was born March 4, 1937, in Washington, Pennsylvania, and was the son of Cary Jefferson Higginbotham and Anna (Postlethwait) Schwering.
Cary earned his high school diploma through a home study program in 1975. As a young man in Pennsylvania, he worked as a bowling pin setter before beginning a long career in the lumber industry at the Sacramento Box Company in Sacramento, California, which later became the Setzer Lumber Company, from which he retired in 2001. Cary loved photography and enjoyed browsing and shopping online. He was deeply religious and liked reading the Bible every day, a practice he continued to do on his tablet when his arthritis made it difficult to turn the pages of a book.
Survivors include his sons Cary J. “Jeff” (Kathleen) Higginbotham and Mark Higginbotham; nephew Timothy (Joyce) Higginbotham; and former wife and mother of his children Dorma Yates.
He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Norman Higginbotham, Evelyn Higginbotham, Andrew Smith, Louise Smith, and Albert “Abe” Higginbotham.
In keeping with his wishes, no public services will be held. Cremation has been entrusted to Shirley & Stout Funeral Home in Kokomo. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Cary’s name to the American Heart Association. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.