Rodney Bryant Packard, Hattie L. Smith, Karen Ann Brooke, Rebecca Sue Cripe
Rodney Bryant Packard
Rodney Bryant Packard, 86, passed away in his home on June 29, 2026. He was born June 9, 1940, in Logansport, Indiana, to the late Donald and Myrtle Packard. Rodney made his home in Kokomo, Indiana, and filled his years with steady work, wide-ranging interests, and the kind of quiet devotion that leaves a lasting imprint on the people and places it touches.
For 34 years, Rodney brought reliability and pride to his work as a fork truck driver for Delco Electronics, retiring in December of 1994.
Outside of work, Rodney’s life opened into the bright, open air. Fishing was more than a pastime; it was a calling he helped shape in others, helping start four bass clubs and serving as an officer in each, including time as president of Bass club. He loved fishing tournaments, the careful craft of lure making, and the simple satisfaction of outside sports.
Rodney also found joy in friendly competition and shared routines. He bowled in leagues and won in an east regional championship. He enjoyed pitch and putt golf and hunting, and he could just as easily be found enjoying a good card game as he could tending to the outdoors. A die hard Cubs fan, he carried that loyal hopefulness season after season, the way true fans do.
At home, Rodney’s care showed in the living things he nurtured—gardening, landscaping, and the quiet work of making a place more beautiful. He was a Hobby Club Local 292 member, and he also enjoyed his community through time spent with the Eagles.
Rodney’s faith and service were evident in his years as a previous member of Faith United Methodist Church, where he enjoyed helping with the administration and finance board. He served as head usher and took part in men’s fellowship, bringing a steady presence and a willingness to help wherever needed. He participated in playing BINGO, making noodles, and gathering with others.
Rodney is survived by his children Jodi Packard, Ryan Packard, Rex Hill, Rosalee, Rita Scholes, and Rhonda Hagg; siblings Darol Packard, Patricia Cook, and Juanita Wallace; as well as 15 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his first wife Sharon Packard, second wife Thelma Packard, and his brother Tommy Packard.
Visitation will be held at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home, 2097 West Alto Road, Kokomo, IN 46902, on July 3, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will follow at 1:00 p.m.
Hattie L. Smith
Hattie L. Smith, lovingly known as Hattie, passed away on June 28, 2026, in Kokomo, Indiana, at the age of 100. Born on March 30, 1926, to Henry Thomas (father) and Aggie L, Thomas (mother) in Crawford, Alabama, Hattie moved to Kokomo, Indiana, in 1954, where she would spend the next several decades building a life and becoming an upstanding, respected pillar of the community.
Known for her deeply giving nature, Hattie’s presence was welcome to all who knew her. Hattie leaves behind a vibrant, loving family to cherish her irreplaceable memories. She is survived by her sisters Mrs. Jannie Murphy and her husband Charles, who is deceased, of Auburndale, Florida, and Rosie Daugherty and her husband James of Kokomo, Indiana. She also leaves behind her sons Dorsey Seldon and his wife Janice of Bellevue, Nebraska, John H. Seldon of Kokomo, Indiana, and Roosevelt Smith and his wife Pam of Kokomo, Indiana. Her family was a source of great joy to her, and she took pride in the bonds they shared.
A funeral service for Hattie will be held on Wed., July 8, at noon at New Testament Apostolic Church, 3041 Westmoor Dr., Kokomo. Visitation will take place from 11 a.m. until noon at the church prior to the funeral service.
N.L. Bluitt Jr. Funeral Chapel Inc. was entrusted with the arrangements.
Karen Ann Brooke
Karen Ann Brooke, born on March 4, 1944, in Berkeley, California, passed away on June 9, 2026, in Kokomo, Indiana, leaving behind a legacy of love, wisdom, and quiet strength that will continue to inspire all who knew her.
Karen was born to Robert and Verna Satterthwaite, and from the beginning of her life she carried the kind of spirit that made people feel welcome, valued, and encouraged. She lived with grace and purpose, and she met each season of life with a steady heart and a thoughtful mind. Those who knew her will remember that she was loving, intelligent, and gentle, and that these were not just words used to describe her, but truths that shaped the way she lived every day.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband John Brooke, who passed away on December 25, 2007. Their marriage lasted 41 years; a partnership built on devotion, shared memories, and enduring commitment. Together, they created a life that reflected loyalty and perseverance, and even after his passing, the bond they shared remained an important part of her story. Karen carried that love with dignity and strength, honoring the life they built together.
Karen was the best homemaker ever, and that title was not simply about the work she did, but about the warmth she created. Her home was a place of comfort, care, and belonging. She had a natural gift for making others feel seen and cared for, and she brought that same spirit into every part of her life. She was a great friend to many, and her family was always No. 1 in her heart. She understood that love is shown in the everyday moments, in the listening, the laughter, the patience, and the steady presence that never gives up.
She is survived by her son John Brooke and his wife Tracy, her daughters Lisa Gomez and Amy Colvin, and her grandchildren Andy Maksymowicz and his wife Ashley, Grayson Gomez, Jeffrey Colvin, and his wife Haley, Binx Colvin, and granddaughter Kelsey Fowler. She also leaves behind her great-grandsons Riley and Chase Maksymowicz, her brother John Satterthwaite, her nephews Scott and Todd Satterthwaite, and her niece Brianna Satterthwaite. Each of them carries a piece of her story forward, and each of them will remember her in their own way, through the lessons she taught, the laughter she shared, and the love she gave so freely.
Karen lived with a joyful curiosity and a wonderful sense of humor. She was funny, and she knew how to brighten a room with her presence. She was also a great philosopher in life, someone who thought deeply, spoke wisely, and understood that life is meant to be lived with perspective and gratitude. She had a remarkable ability to encourage others simply by being herself, and she reminded those around her that strength can be gentle, and wisdom can be warm.
Her interests reflected her vibrant spirit. She loved playing soccer and watching Liverpool, and she enjoyed bowling and swimming. She also loved evening walks, where she could reflect, breathe, and appreciate the world around her. She had a wonderful knack for gardening, and it is easy to imagine how she found joy in nurturing life and watching things grow. In many ways, her garden mirrored her heart, patient, caring, and full of promise.
Karen Ann Brooke lived a life that mattered. She showed that a meaningful life is not measured by fame or noise, but by love, character, and the lasting impact of a faithful heart. She encouraged others by example, and she leaves behind a legacy of kindness, strength, and unwavering devotion. Her life was a gift, and her memory will continue to uplift all who were blessed to know her.
A Celebration of Life for Karen will be held on Sat., July 18, from 1-5 p.m. at John and Tracy’s house, 220 Conradt Ave., Kokomo. This is a gathering of friends and family. City of Firsts Cremation and Funeral Services by Rose and Geiger was entrusted with the arrangements. www.cityoffirstscremations.com
Rebecca Sue Cripe
Rebecca Sue Cripe, known lovingly as RC, passed away surrounded by her loving family on June 30, 2026, in Kokomo, Indiana, after a life marked by grit, courage, and a spirit that never backed down from a challenge.
Born on August 9, 1954, in Tipton, Indiana, to Buddy Lee Cripe and Joyce Woods Cripe, she carried the values of hard work, perseverance, and determination throughout her life. She was a Christian, and her faith helped shape the steady, thoughtful way she moved through the world. RC was the kind of woman who did not wait for opportunity to be handed to her. She created it. She believed in starting at the bottom and working her way up, and that lesson became one of the defining themes of her life.
RC graduated from Lewis Cass and began her working life washing dishes at Deckers in Logansport. From there, she kept climbing, proving again and again that character, discipline, and heart matter. She went on to become an assistant manager at Marsh Drugs and later worked for Big Lots. In every position she held, she brought the same spirit. She was dependable, driven, and unafraid of hard work. Her life stood as a reminder that where you begin does not determine where you can go.
She was also a woman of bold stories and unforgettable moments. RC once hitchhiked to Florida with two others and only $1.76 between them, a story that captures her adventurous nature and fearless outlook on life. She loved the Louisville Cardinals and followed them with enthusiasm. During her time in Cass County 4H, she was proud to have a Grand Reserve Champion Angus, a memory that reflected both her dedication and her deep connection to her roots. One of her proudest moments came when her brother told her he was proud of her after she and her sister got their first house, and again when she returned to earn her GED in her 40s. Those moments mattered because they showed the strength of a woman who kept growing, kept learning, and kept rising.
RC loved cats throughout her life, and her home and heart were shaped by the companionship they gave her. She is now lovingly remembered by her baby kitty cat Turbo, who was a special part of her days. Her gentle side, her thoughtful nature, and her spirited personality made her unforgettable to those who knew her best. She was adventurous enough to take chances, thoughtful enough to care deeply, and spirited enough to leave a lasting impression wherever she went.
She is survived by her nieces Michelle Bowser and her husband David, and Kara Cripe, her great-nephew Jacob Ernhart, her great-niece Alexa Cripe, her great-great-nephew Isaiah Ernhart, her half-brother Curtis Cripe, her special cousin Vicki Potts, and numerous extended family members who will carry her memory forward with love. She was preceded in death by her parents, her nephew Warren Monroe, her siblings Cynthia Monroe and Joseph Cripe, and her great aunts Phyllis Gist and Norma Martin.
Rebecca Sue Cripe lived a life that teaches an important truth. You do not need a perfect beginning to build a powerful life. You need courage. You need heart. You need the willingness to keep moving forward, even when the road is hard. RC had all of that and more. She was spirited, adventurous, and thoughtful, and she leaves behind a legacy of strength that will continue to inspire those who knew her.
City of Firsts Cremation and Funeral Services by Rose and Geiger was entrusted with the arrangements. www.cityoffirstscremations.com