Lawrence William “Bill” Sharp, Dallas Dwight Parton, Jimmy “Jim” Dale Balmer, John Arthur Murray, Braylen Tasean Johnson, Jeannie Wolfe, Juanita Sue Fogelsong
Lawrence William “Bill” Sharp
Lawrence William “Bill” Sharp, 70 years old, of Kokomo, passed away 10:30 p.m. Friday, June 19, 2026, at St. Vincent 86th Street Hospital in Indianapolis, IN. He was born in Kokomo, IN, on November 11, 1955, the son of the late Otis Darnell Sharp and Mary Alice (Frew) Longworth. On January 10, 1987, he married Patricia Waldman, and she survives.
Bill was a graduate of Kokomo High School. He proudly served our country in the United States Army. Bill served for 30 years as a corrections officer. He started his career in Pendleton and later retired from Miami Correctional Facility. He was a loving husband, father, brother, grandpa, and great-grandpa. He was the best provider and protector of his family. His favorite hobbies included anything with technology. Bill liked watching movies and was skilled in operating computers. He will be remembered for being a smart man who had a genuine heart and great personality.
In addition to his wife Pat, Bill is survived by his children Cher Cheek, Casey Jones, Stacey Moore, William Billy Cheek, and Lacey Perez; sisters Vickie (Calvin) Peck and Sandra Sharp; 15 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Butch Sharp, Jim Sharp, and Delbert Sharp; grandson Austin Saylor; and great-grandson Colsen.
Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 26, 2026, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo, IN 46902. A funeral service celebrating Bill’s life will begin 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 27, 2026, at the funeral home, with Calvin Peck officiating. Military honors will be provided by the United States Army and the Kokomo VFW Military Rites Team. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Dallas Dwight Parton
Dallas Dwight Parton, 81, of Tipton, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 22, 2026. He was born on May 3, 1945, in Knoxville, Tennessee, to his parents Dall Roy Parton and Nellie Lee (Chelette) Parton. Dallas was a 1963 graduate of Tipton High School. In 1965 he was drafted into the United States Army, and he bravely served during the Vietnam War. Dallas was an Acting Sergeant in the Military Police. He demonstrated courage, leadership, and an unwavering sense of duty to his country that has followed him throughout his life.
Dallas was a simple man who found joy in life’s everyday blessings. He was a dedicated and hardworking provider; he retired from General Motors after many years of service. Dallas was known for his sense of humor and quick wit. He was always joking around and bringing laughter to those around him.
Dallas had a passion for collecting and could often be found browsing yard sales and flea markets, looking for treasures. Dallas was a lifelong history enthusiast. He enjoyed learning about the past, listening to 1950s and gospel music, and traveling to Tennessee.
Above all else, Dallas cherished his family. They were the center of his world, and he loved them deeply. Dallas appreciated life’s simple pleasures and leaves behind a legacy of hard work, laughter, gratitude, and love.
Those left to carry on Dallas’s legacy of love are his children James Parton (Kim), Missy Bear (Larry), and Julie Ballay (Robert); grandchildren Stephanie Cook (Chris), Corey Parton, Kris Carson, Lynsi Carson, Bekka Carson (Julian Vicent), and John Bear; great-grandchildren Jace Carson, Jadin Miller, Kashus Vicent, and Harper Cook; sister Judy Netherton; brother Leroy Parton (Liz); along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Dallas was preceded in death by his parents Dall and Nellie Parton; siblings Robert Parton, Arley Parton, Linda Parton, and Lois Thurman; and beloved dog, Baby.
A funeral service celebrating Dallas’s life will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 1:00 PM at Taylor & Cowan Funeral Home, located at 314 N. Main St. in Tipton, with Pastor Jody Brown officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will take place immediately following the service at Sharpsville Cemetery with full military honors. Taylor & Cowan Funeral Home is honored to serve the Parton family in their time of need.
Jimmy “Jim” Dale Balmer
Jimmy “Jim” Dale Balmer, 64, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away June 23, 2026. He was born on December 6, 1961, in Plymouth, Indiana, the son of Harold Balmer and Marilyn (Rhoads) Moreno. He was a member of the IBEW 873 for more than 30 years. Jim proudly served his country in the United States Navy for 10 years.
He loved motorcycles and trucks. He was a very generous man and helped anyone he could. Jim truly had an amazing work ethic. His true passion was spending time with his family and making his grandkids laugh.
Left to cherish his memory is his father Dale; children David (Gracey) Balmer, Kari Balmer, Tina (Chris) Nixon, and Nicole (Jason) Jones; grandchildren Nathan, Mckayla, Zack, Michael, Jeremiah, Dustin, Warren, Coleson, Kristen, Leanna, and Cooper; siblings Pat, Lisa, Tom, George, and Chris; and many nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his mother Marilyn; grandson David Wayne Balmer; and stepmom Marge.
Visitation will take place from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM on Monday, June 29, 2026, at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home. Funeral services will begin at 2:00 PM Monday, June 29, 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.
John Arthur Murray
John Arthur Murray, 65, of Kokomo, passed away at 12:02 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at his home. He was born January 18, 1961, in Elwood, to Elbert and Martha Jean (Skinner) Murray. On June 18, 1995, he married Gabriela “Gaby” Murray, in Whittier, California, and she survives.
John graduated from Frankfort High School in 1979 and worked several jobs before moving to California in 1992 and working as a technical engineer for Regal Cinema Movie Theatres for 14 years. In 2006, he and Gaby moved back to Kokomo, and he worked for NHK Seating of America until his retirement. John enjoyed working on cars, and later, when his health didn’t allow for that, he enjoyed building LEGOs. He like watching TV shows. Myth Busters, American Pickers, car restoration shows, and crime shows were some of his favorites. He loved his dogs Nico and Pepe, and he cherished and doted on his grandchildren.
In addition to his wife Gaby Murrray, survivors include his children Karla Alvarez (Joseph Weir), Kiara Murray, and Korey Murray; grandchildren Faith Long, Liam Weir, Joseph Weir, Jr., Charles Weir, Braxon Weir, and Kashton Weir; brother Darrell Murray; sisters Cathy (Rick) Bouldin and Mary Sanders; and nieces and nephews Seth Bouldin, Samantha (Jordan) Walker, Andrew (Lucy) Sanders, and Ashley (Jacob) Long.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Terry “Moe” Murray; and brother-in-law Allen Sanders.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Monday, June 29, 2026, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo, with Pastor Jason Grant officiating. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Contributions may be made to the Shirley & Stout Funeral Home to assist with funeral arrangements. A link to donate can be found and messages of condolence may be left on John’s obituary page at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Braylen Tasean Johnson
Braylen Tasean Johnson, 31, Kokomo, Indiana, passed away at 2:07 a.m. on Sunday, June 21, 2026, in Kokomo.
Born August 4, 1994, in Kokomo, Indiana, he was the son of Clifford Wayne Johnson and Alnisa (Conyers) Armstrong.
Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026, at Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, Kokomo. Services will follow at 11:00 a.m.
If friends and family so desire, monetary expressions of sympathy may be made through the “make a payment” link at Expressions of Sympathy
McClain Funeral Home, Denver, Indiana, has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be left on Braylen’s obituary page at https://www.mcclainfh.com/obituaries/braylen-johnson
Jeannie Wolfe
Jeannie Wolfe, 82, of Tipton, passed away on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at I.U. Health – Tipton. She was born in Montgomery, Alabama, on August 8, 1943, to Walter & Norma (Dogget) Giffin. Jeannie married Richard N. Wolfe on January 16, 1965, and he passed away on April 6, 1986.
Jeannie was a 1961 graduate of Smithton (Missouri) High School. She demonstrated both strength and compassion in her daily life. Jeannie often participated in community gardening, meal service, veteran support efforts, blood donation, and making baby blankets for hospitals—or whatever else she saw as a need to be filled. Whether buying special gifts for friends or children in need, making an extra Easter basket for someone who would otherwise go without, or providing meals/groceries to those in need, she was always contributing to the well-being of others and her community.
Jeannie’s biggest loves were her kids, food, and dogs - not necessarily in that order. She never complained about how long she spent in the kitchen preparing food. Her reward was always the smiling faces and happy praise of those who received her meals. Jeannie enjoyed preparing new things for the potluck dinner, jam sessions in Kempton on Friday nights; it gave her a chance to try new recipes she’d find on the internet. While her support of the human race was important to her, nothing outranked the needs of dogs. She would offer a homeless man a sandwich but also bring a bag of food for his dog. She’d donated as many leashes and collars as she did coats and hats to the annual coat drive.
She is survived by her two children Kyle Wolfe of Tipton and Kristy Wolfe of Winter Garden, Florida; two grandchildren Sierra Papay and Maguire Papay; and siblings Gary Giffin and Ann Giffin.
Jeannie did not want any funeral service. After cremation, she will be buried with her husband Dick in Fairview Cemetery. In honor of Jeannie, her family asks that instead of sending flowers, please make a donation in her memory to an organization that helps dogs in need such as Pals for Paws (https://palsforpawsinc.com/) or Tracy’s Paws Rescue (https://www.tracyspawsrescue.org/).
Young-Nichols Funeral Home is honored to assist the Wolfe family. Condolences may be left for Jeannie’s family on her obituary page at www.young-nichols.com.
Juanita Sue Fogelsong
Juanita Sue Fogelsong, 78, of Marion, passed away at 4:56 PM, Thursday, June 18, 2026, at Lutheran Hospital in Ft. Wayne, IN. She was born in Kokomo, Indiana, on February 24, 1948, the daughter of Ray and Joan Doud Johnson. Juanita married Steven Fogelsong, and he preceded her in death.
Juanita was a 1966 graduate of Western High School and worked at Delco as a tinsmith for more than 30 years. She was an avid gardener who planted everything and could always be found outside caring for her flowers. She had a love for all farm animals, especially her horses. Juanita had horses most of life, only recently giving up riding.
Family was very important to Juanita. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. She loved her family unconditionally. Mom always made everyone she came in contact with feel extra special. Mom always saw the beauty in nature and everyone she met. Juanita is survived by her daughters Melissa Hahn (Tim) of Peru and Christiana McClish of Kokomo; grandchildren Jennifer Cooper (Joey), Brandon Johnson (Sarah) Calab McClish, Jessie McClish, Layla McClish, and Noah McClish; 10 great-grandchildren, including Aliyanah “Ila” Johnson, Josiah “Joe” Cooper, Joshua “Jessie” Cooper, and Jameson Cooper; and sisters Marcia Martin of Kokomo and Diane Martin of Kokomo. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Steven, a great-grandchild Jeremiah, and her brother Chris Johnson. Per Juanita’s wishes, there will be no services at this time.