Obituaries, August 12, 2026

Written on 08/12/2026


Frederic Gene Jones, Robert W. “Bob” Blair, Cynthia Charlene (Tishner) Johnson, Dennis (Denise) Terry, Ephel ”Dale” Rogers Sr., Linda Lou Miller

Frederic Gene Jones

Frederic Gene Jones, 87, of Anderson, passed away on Saturday, August 8, 2026, after an extended illness. He was born on July 26, 1939, in Indianapolis, the second of six sons of Wayne and Mary Jeanette (Jackley) Jones. He spent his very early years in Frankton, IN, then moved to Elwood when he was in the third grade. Fred graduated from Wendell L. Willkie High School, earned his BS from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN, and received his MA from Ball State University in Muncie.

Mr. Jones retired from Anderson Community Schools after 35 years, serving as Director of Health and Physical Education for grades K through 12 and was also Director of Elementary Athletics and Driver’s Education. in 1969, he was awarded the honor of Educator of the Year for ACSC. Early in his career, Fred coached elementary football, basketball, track, and high school swimming. He managed the Elwood swimming pool and the Edgewood Country Club pool in Anderson.

Fred was a former member of the BPO Elks Club, Madison County Retired School Administrators and Madison County Retired Teachers Association. He held a seat on the first St. Ambrose School Board and served as an usher at St. Ambrose for many years.

He was known for his ability to repair almost anything and for his exceptional organizational skills. Fred’s garage was where he proudly built 11 doll houses; one for each of his seven grandchildren, one was auctioned for the Paramount Theater, and three were given to well-deserving family members and friends.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years Justine (Nichols) Jones, whom he met at Austin Peay. Also, surviving are his three daughters Marsha (David) Rhinesmith of Carmel, IN, Stephanie Lipski of Dacula, GA, and Tracey (Brad) Freeman of Richmond, IN; seven grandchildren Matthew (Jackie) Rhinesmith and Kevin (Katie) Rhinesmith of Indianapolis, Marie Lipski of Daytona, FL, Renee Lipski of Athens, GA, Madeline Freeman and Katherine Freeman of Indianapolis, and Lauren Freeman of Richmond, IN; two great-grandsons Luke and Jack Rhinesmith; three brothers Edwin (Jane) Jones of Fort Myers, FL, Terry Jones of Elwood, IN, and Robert (Paula) Jones of Kokomo, IN; and sister-in-law Linda Roberts Nichols of Clarksville, TN.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Richard Jones and Kenneth Jones; brother-in-law Charles R. Nichols; and sister-in-law Lorrie Jones.

The family would like to thank the staff at Bethany Pointe and Paradigm Health Hospice for their loving care and service during Fred’s stay with them.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at Loose Funeral Homes & Crematory, 200 W. 53rd St., Anderson, IN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, August 13, 2026, 11:00 a.m., at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 2801 Lincoln St., Anderson, IN, with Rev. Tom Metzger officiating.

Burial will take place in the East Maplewood Cemetery, Anderson.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Anderson, or St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Anderson.

www.LooseCares.com.



Robert W. “Bob” Blair

Robert W. “Bob” Blair, 85, Greentown, passed away at 10:10 a.m. Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Ascension St Vincent Hospital, Kokomo. He was born August 22, 1940, in Mossbach, IL, to Donald and Alma (Mueller) Blair. On September 6, 1958, he married Norma VanDyke, who preceded him in death on March 9, 2016. On June 10, 2017, he married Linda Campbell, and she survives.

Bob received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin in 1968 and worked for Delco Electronics for 29 years before his retirement. Bob was an avid sports fan. He coached his sons’ Little League teams, golfed, and followed the Chicago Cubs, Wisconsin Badgers, and Purdue Boilermakers. He also enjoyed spending time in Florida, hunting morel mushrooms and watching Westerns, and Bob loved chocolate chip cookies.

He is survived by his wife Linda Campbell Blair; children Robin (Scott) Baker, Robert (Munda) Blair Jr, and Timothy Blair; Linda’s children Cindy (Hugh) Gibson and Mike (Andrea) Campbell; grandchildren Brittany (Jacob) VanVliet, Angela (Nicholas) Albright, Jessica (Eric) Tippy, Wryan (Mollie) Gibson, Caleb (Kendall) Gibson, and Braden (Kayla) Gibson; 13 great-grandchildren; sister June (William) Willis; and step-sisters Ardale (Marlo) Townsend and Gayle Lingle.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife Norma Blair.

Funeral services celebrating Bob’s life will be at noon Thursday, August 13, 2026, at Hasler & Stout Funeral Home, 112 East Main Street, Greentown, with Pastor Brian White officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 10:00 a.m. until noon Thursday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Parkinson’s Foundation or the charity of the donor’s choice. Messages of condolence may be left at www.hasler-stout.com.



Cynthia Charlene (Tishner) Johnson

Cynthia Charlene (Tishner) Johnson, 70, passed away on August 9, 2026, in Indianapolis, Indiana, following several health struggles in her later years. Cynthia was born on February 2, 1956, in Monticello, Kentucky, to George Tishner and Mary Delores (Upchurch) Tishner.

Cynthia graduated from Tipton High School with the Class of 1974. On February 2, 1983, she married Dennis Johnson, and together they built a life centered around family, faith, and love.

Cynthia devoted her life to being a homemaker and caring for the people she loved. Family was at the very heart of who she was. She worried about them, prayed for them, celebrated with them, and loved them with everything she had. Holidays were especially meaningful to Cynthia, not because of the decorations or traditions, but because they gave her an excuse to have everyone together in one place. Those moments, surrounded by the people she loved most, were some of her happiest.

Outgoing and friendly, Cynthia had a smile that came easily and a laugh that was heard often. She was caring by nature and always willing to help someone during their time of need. Her faith was an important part of her life, and she had a special heart for children. Over the years, she enjoyed working with children and teaching Sunday school, sharing with them the same faith that carried her throughout her own life. She was a member of Heartland Church in Tipton.

Cynthia found joy in so many of life’s simple pleasures. She loved to read and watch movies, and she rarely passed up an opportunity to dance. She enjoyed swimming, walking, exercising, and going for bike rides. She was a fan of the Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Pacers and especially enjoyed the excitement and tradition of the Indy 500.

She also loved to travel, and for Cynthia, the destination was never nearly as important as simply getting away and experiencing somewhere new. The ocean held a special place in her heart, and she treasured the beauty found in both sunrises and sunsets. She would even get up early just to make sure she didn’t miss the sunrise. There was something about watching the darkness give way to a brand-new day that Cynthia simply loved.

The final months of Cynthia’s life were not easy. Health struggles kept her away from home for more than four months, separated from the familiar comforts and everyday moments she treasured so deeply. Through it all, her heart remained with her family, and her faith remained a source of strength. After a long and difficult journey, there is comfort in knowing that Cynthia is finally home, no longer struggling, but at peace.

Perhaps it is fitting that someone who loved a sunrise so much understood the promise of a new day. For those who loved Cynthia, the sunrise may forever feel a little more meaningful and serve as a quiet reminder of her smile, her laughter, her unwavering faith, and a woman who truly loved with all she had.

Left to carry on Cynthia’s legacy of love are her husband Dennis Johnson Sr.; children Dennis Johnson Jr. and Justin Paul Johnson; grandchildren Brice Shuler and Savannah Shuler; siblings Resuha Tishner, Danny Tishner, Randy Tishner, and David Tishner; mothers-in-law Esther Harrison and Nancy Johnson; sisters-in-law Gina Cieszkiewicz and Jennifer Johnson; as well as many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family members, and friends.

Cynthia was welcomed into Heaven by her parents George Tishner and Mary Delores (Upchurch) Tishner; maternal grandparents Hubert and Ruby Upchurch; and paternal grandparents George and Eva Tishner.

A visitation for Cynthia will be held on Friday, August 14, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Taylor & Cowan Funeral Home, located at 314 N. Main Street in Tipton, Indiana. A funeral service celebrating Cynthia’s life will immediately follow at 1:00 p.m., with Pastor Bill Salsbery officiating. Burial will take place at Tipton’s Fairview Cemetery.

Taylor & Cowan Funeral Home is honored to serve the Johnson family in their time of need.



Dennis (Denise) Terry

Mrs. Dennis (Denise) Terry was born May 29, 1945. She passed away Aug. 9, 2026, at the age of 81.

A funeral service will be held for Denise on Sat., Aug. 15, at 11 a.m. at Second Missionary Baptist Church, 818 N. Apperson Way, Kokomo. Visitation will take place from 9-11 a.m. prior to the funeral service.

N.L. Bluitt Jr. Funeral Chapel Inc. was entrusted with the arrangements.



Ephel ”Dale” Rogers Sr.

Ephel ”Dale” Rogers Sr., 74, entered eternity on August 10, 2026, at Brickyard Healthcare in Kokomo. He was Born in Sparta, Tennessee, the son of Ephel and Juanita (Higgenbottom) Rogers.

On September 10, 1984, he married Sharon Sue “Susie” (Frazer) Rogers, and she survives.

Dale was a 1970 graduate of Haworth High School. He joined the Navy and served from 1970-1974. Dale retired from Chrysler casting plant in 2008, where he served as Chaplain for many years. He enjoyed the fellowship of the other chaplains and visits with hurting families during that time. Dale held many offices in the UAW 1166 through his years at Chrysler.

Dale was a firm believer in His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He and Susie attended many churches through the years. They helped with various youth activities and sports programs. They loved to teach evangelism to others. They are members of New Life Assembly in Kokomo Indiana. They were devoted to praying for others every day. Dale loved to garden and can what he grew. He loved to go to garage sales and turn trash to treasure and was always on the hunt for new treasures. Dale was an avid metal detector and found lots of hidden gems. He loved fishing and in his retirement years, he became quite a good cook!

Dale is survived by his wife Susie of 43 years; son Ephel Dale (Barbara) Rogers Jr.; grandchildren Ethan (Joy) Rogers, Kyra (Sean) Elliott, and Faith Rogers; four great-grandchildren; his granddaughter Dr. Jennifer (Robert) Cash-Sylvester; great- granddaughters Caitlin Sylvester and Gwenyth Sylvester, who called him “Papaw”; sisters Judy (Colin) Blevins and Deanna (Chris) Bousum; stepdaughter Bonnie Cash; and several nieces and nephews.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents; grandson Matt Cash; and stepson Todd Grant.

A funeral service celebrating Dale’s life will be held at 4 p.m., Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo, IN, 46902. Burial will be held with Military Honors provided by the United States Navy and the Kokomo VFW Military Rites Team at 10 a.m., on Monday, August 17, 2026, at Marion National Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with family from 2 p.m. to the time of the service on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Riley Children’s Hospital, PO Box 3356, Indianapolis, IN 46206-3356. Messages of condolence may be made at www.shirleyandstout.com.



Linda Lou Miller

Linda Lou Miller, 89, of Urbana, Ill., passed away peacefully on Aug. 7, 2026, surrounded by her loving children.

She was born Aug. 12, 1936, in Kokomo, Ind., to Ancel J. and Dorothy May (Clingenpeel) Walker. She was the sixth of nine children.

Linda’s devoted husband of 64 years Frederick Gene Miller predeceased her in 2022. Surviving Linda are her children Doug (Belinda) Miller of Strasburg, Va., Deanna (Kirwin) Stewart of Holdrege, Neb., and Melinda (Karen Jannusch) Miller of Champaign, Ill.; her sisters Barbara Ann (Charlie) Maple of Kokomo, Ind., Carolyn Sue (Jack) Devine of Valparaiso, Ind., and Pamela Kay (Roger) Mayes of Idaho Falls, Idaho; and four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by siblings Herbert Lee, Billy Joe, Bonita Jane “Bonnie,” Donna Marie, and James.

Linda was a proud Hoosier and graduated from Kokomo High School and Ball State University (then Teachers College) with a bachelor’s in elementary education and later earned a master’s degree in elementary education from there.

She married her high school sweetheart Gene on June 15, 1958. They started married life in San Antonio, Texas, and Minot, N.D., while Gene served in the U.S. Air Force. They later settled in Kokomo, Ind., and Muncie, Ind., and finally in Macomb, Ill., when Gene became a professor at Western Illinois University.

Although she trained as a teacher, Linda’s true passion was using her hands to create beautiful artwork, needlework, and handmade crafts. In the early 1970s, she was introduced to decorative painting and quickly became interested in mastering the style. She studied for two weeks every summer for 11 years with renowned decorative artist Jo Sonja Jansen in Northern California. And she quickly began teaching others, first in her home basement, then by creating the business The House of Tole on East Jackson Street in Macomb, and later Everything Nice in downtown Macomb. With each new location, her enterprise grew. She taught painting and quilting and eventually sold painting supplies, fabric, notions, household decorations, unique gift items, and of course, Linda’s painted items and fabric creations.

As a business owner, Linda contributed to the community by serving as president of the Macomb Downtown Development Corporation. She received an award from the Macomb Beautiful Association for improving the vacant Montgomery Ward department store building and turning it into a beautiful retail space for Everything Nice.

Linda closed Everything Nice in 1996, and after Gene’s retirement, they enjoyed traveling and spending time with family. Linda never stopped creating in her home studio.

A lifelong Presbyterian, Linda served as an elder and moderator of the Presbytery of Great Rivers and was active in Presbyterian Women. She became particularly vocal in social justice issues through her church and helped found Genesis Garden, among other endeavors.

She loved to share her baking, handmade crafts, artwork, and garden produce, and to spoil Gene and their many cats.

A Memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 22, 2026, at the First Presbyterian Church in Macomb, with Pastor Cheyanna Losey officiating. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, August 21, 2026, at Clugston-Tibbitts Funeral Home in Macomb. Burial of ashes will be held in Oakwood Cemetery in Macomb along with her husband’s ashes, where full military rites will be conducted by the Macomb American Legion and Macomb VFW.

Donations may be made in Linda’s honor to the Parkinson’s Foundation and the Western Illinois Museum.

You may leave condolences and sign the guest book online at clugston-tibbitts.com.