Donald Henry Bandt, Linda Frances Darlin, Lorrita D. (Bowen) Godwin, Jerry Lee Gibbs
Donald Henry Bandt
Donald Henry Bandt was born in November 1929 on a farm in Germania, Wisconsin, to Edward and Nathalie (Clocksene) Bandt. The youngest of four children, Don grew up helping with the chickens, hogs, and cows. Plowing behind horses was something he did not enjoy. Don remembers the day when the veterinarian told his father that their entire herd of 19 Guernsey milk cows and one bull had Bang’s disease and needed to be put down. The animals were sold for hides, and the money covered the purchase of two Brown Swiss cows from a neighbor to restart a herd. Somehow, the family made it through that difficult season. Perhaps this was the beginning of Don’s lifetime habit of frugality.
Don spent eight years in a one-room schoolhouse and graduated from Montello High School in 1947. He went to work in the canning factories for a couple seasons, canning sweet corn and cranberries.
At age 19, a friend convinced Don to join him in Minneapolis, MN, where a six-month course at Gale Institute would qualify them to work for the railroad. Typing and tele-type were skills that came easily to Don, but he found Morse Code difficult. Don bounced around at a few short-term railroad jobs, until one particularly frustrating job convinced him to look for something else. So, he became a punch press operator.
On September 30, 1950, Don attended a Billy Graham Crusade in Minneapolis, where he heeded the invitation to surrender his life to Christ. I Corinthians 15:3-4 has guided his life.
In December 1950, as Don made plans to return home for a visit, he heard that his friend Wimpy had received a letter from President Truman. Don, knowing that his own letter was probably in the mail, arrived in Germania on Christmas Eve. On Christmas morning the Postmistress opened the Post Office so Don could retrieve his letter. “Greeting,” it began, “Having submitted yourself to a Local Board composed of your neighbors for the purpose of determining your availability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, you are hereby ordered to report for induction...”
On January 10, 1951, Don was drafted into the U.S. Army 45th Infantry Division and sent to Korea. His time at Gale Institute and working for the railroad enabled him to score well in the Radio Code Test, and so he became part of the Signal Company. There, he was part of a team that maintained communication from regiment to division and on to corps.
After his discharge in October 1952, Don spent a couple months hunting squirrels and rabbits on the farm before moving back to Minneapolis. He found a church home at Soul’s Harbor in downtown Minneapolis. It was here that he met and married Geraldine Blexrud in 1956. Three daughters were soon added to the family. Growing up, Don’s daughters knew that spending quality time with their dad would involve either fishing for sunnies and bluegill, or playing some type of ball: softball, basketball, football, volleyball. Summer vacations included a Shasta camper, fishing boat, lake up north, and the company of the Kline family.
Don was a hard worker and held a variety of jobs over the years. He worked at a grocery store, sold coffee, managed boilers and building maintenance, and repaired juice machines in restaurants. His frugal saving and investing afforded Don and Gerry a lovely retirement in 1995, where they divided their time between a condominium in Clearwater, FL, and a home in Kokomo, IN. They chose these two places to be close to daughters living nearby.
Throughout his life, Don loved to play softball, and his reliable pitches with a back spin and high arc delivery ensured his position as the team’s pitcher. Don capped off his softball years in Florida with “Kids and Kubs,” where one had to be 75 or older to join the team.
Don and Gerry were blessed to be members of four churches in different places over the years. Faithfulness in gathering with God’s people was very important to Don.
Don is survived by his wife of 69 years Gerry; and by his daughters Renee Dollar, Coleen (Bob) Brenton, and Brenda (Bruce) Howard; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Victory Baptist Church in Kokomo, Indiana, on Monday, May 11, at 12:00 noon.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to Victory Christian Academy in Kokomo, Indiana. Don often remarked that the best investment he ever made was Christian education for his daughters.
Special thanks to the Kokomo Senior Center, Angels of Mercy Homecare, and Cornerstone Caregiving for their gracious support and care of Don.
Linda Frances Darlin
Linda Frances Darlin, 77, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her children on May 5, 2026. She was born on September 7, 1948, in Madison, Indiana, the daughter of Dale L. and Wanda (Sampson) Melton. On August 29, 1969, she married the love of her life Tommy Dale Darlin.
Linda was a 1966 graduate from Kokomo High School. She was a longtime member of Chapel Hill Christian Church in Kokomo. Linda and her husband Tommy were volunteers for Meals on Wheels for many years. She enjoyed crocheting, going for walks, and helping others. She loved taking care of children in her home and worked for many years at Kathy’s Korner Daycare. She absolutely loved spending time with her grandchildren.
Left to cherish her memory are her children Gina (Tony) Smith, Michelle (Dave) Hawkins, and Tony (Steph) Darlin; grandchildren Melanie (Jared) Foster, Adam (Hannah) Smith, Payton (Kendra) Munsey, Molly (Caleb) Miller, Brody Belt, Emily (Joe Abresch) Belt, Hunter Darlin, Saige (Evan) Pitstick, Avery (Zachary Farrell) Darlin, Adysen Darlin, and Gavin and Camryn Phebus; four great-grandchildren and one on the way; sister Carol Williams; brother Dale (Debbie) Melton; brother-in-law Larry (the late, Doris) Darlin; and several cherished nieces and nephews.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents; loving husband of 53 years Tommy Dale; brother Kenneth Melton; and great-granddaughter Olivia Lynn Foster.
Memorial contributions may be made in Linda’s memory to Meals on Wheels or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Visitation will take place from 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 14, 2026, at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home, 2097 West Alto Road, Kokomo, Indiana 46902. Entombment will follow at Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery, Kokomo, Indiana. Share a memory with the family at www.sunsetmemorygarden.com.
Lorrita D. (Bowen) Godwin
Lorrita D. (Bowen) Godwin, 87, of Peru, passed away at 8:43 AM, Thursday, April 30, 2026, at Ascension St. Vincent, Kokomo. She was born in Peru, IN, on January 15, 1939, the daughter of Willis and Glodene (Bowyer) Bowen.
Lorrita was a 1957 graduate of Bunker Hill High School and worked at The Siding in Peru for more than 20 years. She was an avid gardener who always had different plants and flowers around her house. She enjoyed working on little projects to keep busy. Lorrita was a huge Indiana Pacers fan, often screaming for “her boys” through the TV whenever a game was on.
Family was deeply important to Lorrita. Known as “Grandma Great,” spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren made her feel truly blessed. She also had a soft spot in her heart for animals, often taking in strays and giving them a home.
Lorrita is survived by her children Gail (Mike) Nordenbrock of Crawfordsville and Gwyn Armstrong of Galveston; grandchildren Krystal (AJ) Rice, Ryan Nordenbrock, Cory Nordenbrock, Kaitlyn Nordenbrock, Michael Nordenbrock, Cameron Nordenbrock, Khiya Armstrong, Alex (Renae) Godwin, Stephanie Knots, and Scott Godwin; great-grandchildren Aiden Rice, Makena Rice, Makenzie Rice, Kaiden Rice, Tyler Godwin, Olivia Godwin, Lily Godwin, Cody Godwin, and Astrid Godwin; and siblings Sherriel Bowen, Kevin Bowen, and Duaine Bowen. She was preceded in death by her parents, a son Greg Godwin, grandchildren Dustin Armstrong, Taryn Armstrong, and Krysta Godwin, and siblings Bud Montgomery and Beverly Bowen.
Per the family’s wishes, a private visitation will be held at a later date. Burial will be in the Albright Cemetery, Kokomo.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made through the funeral home to the Scratching Post Cat Rescue.
Jerry Lee Gibbs
Jerry Lee Gibbs, 76, of Punta Gorda, Florida, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2026. Born on June 3, 1949, in Kempton, Indiana, Jerry lived a life full of love, laughter, and adventure.
Jerry began his career as a manager at Accurate Parts in Kokomo, Indiana. Later, alongside his late wife, Sandara Kay Gibbs, he embarked on an entrepreneurial journey by owning and operating The Grocery Sack 1 & 2. These businesses became a cornerstone of their community until Jerry retired in 2013 to fulfill his lifelong dream of traveling. His retirement years were filled with exploration and joy as he embraced the freedom to see new places and create lasting memories.
A man of deep faith and a proud Christian, Jerry was known for his larger-than-life personality and his ability to bring joy to those around him. He had an infectious wit and charm that made him unforgettable to anyone who crossed his path. Jerry never met a stranger; he had a gift for connecting with people and leaving them with a smile or a laugh. His silly jokes and playful antics were legendary among those who knew him.
Jerry’s passions were as vibrant as his personality. He loved traveling to new destinations, admiring the best cars, enjoying music that moved his soul, fishing in serene waters, shopping on Amazon for treasures big and small, and most importantly, spending time with his beloved family. Whether sharing stories or creating new ones together, Jerry cherished every moment spent with those he held dear.
He is survived by his loving wife Beverly (Poynter) Gibbs; sister Francis Dorsam; brothers Donnie Gibbs and David (Jean Ann) Gibbs; children Ray (Brittany) Poynter and Kim (Pat) Elkins; granddaughter Nikki (Scott) Lamb; grandson Christopher (Sarah) Janssen; granddaughters Chelsea and Shyann; grandsons Zack and Wendell; and great-grandchildren Kaylee, Alex, Logan, Andrew, Nora Kay, and Diesel. Jerry’s legacy lives on through the countless memories shared by his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by both of his parents; his first wife Sandara Kay Gibbs; his brothers Fred Gibbs and Eugene Gibbs; his sisters Alice and Cathy; and his grandson Caleb Blair.
Jerry’s life was one of love, laughter, and connection; a testament to the joy he brought into the world. Those who knew him undoubtedly have their own cherished stories of his humor or kindness. May these memories bring comfort to all who mourn his passing.
Jerry will be deeply missed but fondly remembered by all whose lives he touched. May he rest in eternal peace.