Roy Thomas Gammon

Roy Thomas Gammon, 82, of Kokomo, passed away on Friday, January 19, 2024, at his home. He was born on September 30, 1941, the son of Nina Ruth (Cox) Heath and Frank Gammon. On December 10, 1986, he married Sandy Carstensen, and she survives.

Roy graduated from Wendell L. Willke High School in 1961. He proudly served in the United States Air Force earning the rank Airman 1st class. Roy then went on to earn an Associate’s Degree in Labor Studies from Indiana University- Kokomo in 2004. He worked as a Training Center Administrator for Chrysler and retired after 38 years in 2004. Roy enjoyed taking mission trips with Crossroads Community Church where he was a member. He was the President of the UAW Local 1302 and served as a member of the Mission Committee at Crossroads Community Church.

In addition to his wife, Sandra Gammon, survivors include his children, Brian (Kim) Gammon, David Gammon, Sarah (Tony) Bourff, and Denise Miller-Gammon; and grandchildren, Micayla Gammon, McKenna Gammon, Isaac Bourff, Gavin Bourff, and William Bourff.

Preceding Roy in death were his parents, Nina Heath and Frank Gammon; stepfather, Bernard “Bill” Heath, the one who raised him; brother, Frank Gammon; daughter, Tamie Gammon; and grandson, Tyler Gammon.

A funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at Crossroads Community Church, 4254 S 00 EW, Kokomo, with Pastors Kevin Smith, Jeff Harlow, and Luke Smith officiating. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 1:00 pm until the time of service on Thursday, at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Crossroads Community Church – Mission Fund. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Melvin Robert Sallee

Melvin Robert Sallee, age 82, of Tipton, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 20, 2024. He was born on April 4, 1941 to his parents, Orville Sallee and Celestine Corbin Sallee. Mel married the love of his life, Arlene Ridge Sallee on June 10, 1967, and the two have shared 56 wonderful years together.

Mel attended high school at Walnut Grove and received his diploma while in the Army. He proudly served his country from 1960 through 1963; where he was an expert rifleman (m-14), marksman (81 mortar), and sharpshooter (106RR). Mel went on to attend IU Kokomo and earned degrees in Operations Service Technology and Science Industrial Management. Mel also attended auctioneer school.

Through the years, Mel wore many hats and kept himself very busy. He worked at an egg and dairy farm in Wisconsin before entering the Army. Post Army he worked for a construction company in the building of I-69. He then began working as Production Manager for Firestone Industrial; and remained there for over 37 years. Impressively, Mel maintained part time work schedules at Landrum Implement in Elwood, Baxter Plumbing in Tipton, Heiser Ford in Elwood and Tipton, and he was owner of Sallee Auction Service in Tipton.

In Mel’s spare time he enjoyed Saddle Club, CB Club, and Mid America Thrashing Club, and was president for many years. Mel also enjoyed being involved with his community and was on the board of directors for Encompass Credit Union. Obviously, Mel was good at managing his time and seemed to keep his family involved in everything he was doing. He of course made time for fun too, and loved sneaking off to go horseback riding, attend horse shows, ride snowmobiles, or go fishing or dancing.

Mel was a very proud husband, father and grandfather. Anyone would tell you he was an incredible man, with a lot of passion for life and family. Whatever he was involved in he gave full effort and encouraged those around him to give their best. A lot could be learned simply by watching Mel work. His signature phrase was, “Damn, I’m Good!” He of course said this jokingly, but his family will tell you that there was a lot of truth to that statement. Mel will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Those left to carry on Mel’s legacy of love are his wife, Arlene Sallee; children, Bart (Kim) McPhearson, Melisa (Tony) Crouch; daughter-in-law, Tracy McPhearson; grandchildren, Derek Hill, Corey (Brittany) Massey, Katie (Loren) Daentl, Shelby McPhearson, Lyndsea Crouch, Morgan McPhearson; great grandchildren, Dylan Hill, Chloe Hill, Lilly Massey, Astrid Massey, Ella, Zeek, Jude & Roman Daentl, Lennon McPhearson, Bailey Boruff, Kinsley Crouch; siblings, JoAnn Kendall, Sue Delph, Jerry (Brenda) Sallee, Gene (Camille) Sallee, Terri Sallee, Betty Sallee, Doug Sallee, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mel was welcomed into Heaven by his parents, Orville & Celestine Sallee; mother-in-law, Geneva Peebles; son, Bret McPhearson; brothers, Freeman Sallee, Bill Sallee, JC Sallee, Elvin Ray Sallee; sister, Freda Ward; sisters-in-law, Nancy Dudley, Nina Carrere; and great grandson, Myles Massey.

A funeral service with full military honors will be held on Friday, January 26, 2024, at 11:00 AM 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 on Thursday, January 25, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and Friday, January 26, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the funeral home. Committal will take place immediately following the service in Tipton’s Fairview Cemetery.

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

Shirley Joan Webber

Shirley Joan Webber, 90, of Kokomo, passed away on Sunday morning, January 21, 2024, at The Restoracy of Carmel. She was born December 3, 1933, in Kokomo, to Lawrence and Thelma (Mills) Kimmel. On February 23, 1952, she married Jonnie Joe Webber, and he preceded her in death on November 21, 2021.

Shirley graduated in the first graduating class from Eastern High School in 1951. She worked in the cafeteria at Taylor Community Schools and was a loving and devoted wife and mother. She enjoyed art, especially painting, and working puzzles. She was a member of Christian Life Fellowship.

Survivors include her children, Bradley (Donnette) Webber, Connie (Glen) Webber Porter, and Emily Joette Webber; grandchildren, Kari (Bret) Porter Ellis and Kayla (Zack) Webber White; great-grandchildren, Isabelle Ellis, Laney White and Grayson White; and sister-in-law, Carolyn Kimmel.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Betty Newton, Barbara Frakes, and Janice Shaw; and brother, Larry Kimmel.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, January 26, 2024, at Hasler & Stout Funeral Home, 112 E. Main St., Greentown, with Pastor Gary Hoover officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Contributions may be made in Shirley’s memory to the charity of the donor’s choice. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.hasler-stout.com.

Maureen Helen Lechner

Maureen Helen Lechner, 89, of Kokomo, passed away on Sunday, January 21, 2024, at her home. She was born December 1, 1934, in Chicago, Illinois, to William and Johanna (Zubricky) Jordan. On August 5, 1961, she married John B. Lechner, in Kokomo, and he preceded her in death on December 15, 2021.

Maureen graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in 1952, where she served as the Senior Class President, and graduated from Holy Cross Central School of Nursing in 1955. She worked as a nurse for several local doctor’s offices. Maureen left her passion of nursing for a greater passion of motherhood in which she raised ten children. She was also a second mother to dozens of other children over the years. She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church and the Daughters of Isabella. Maureen was a great cook and loved her game shows.

Survivors include her sons, John C. (Anne) Lechner, Robert W. Lechner (Krista McClure), Michael B. (Laura) Lechner, David B. (Mandy) Lechner, and Anthony J. (Cindy) Lechner; daughters, Julie A. (Mark) Fenn, Linda M. Lechner (Tony McCray), Susan E. (Jesse) McGriff, Barbara E. Lechner (Alex Arana), and Mary T. (Jeffery) Adams; sister, Johanna Jordan; sisters-in-law, Anne Lechner, Mary A. Lechner, and Beverly Jordan; 31 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, William Jordan and Robert Jordan.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1229 N. Washington St., Kokomo, with Rev. Fr. Christopher Shocklee the celebrant. Entombment will follow in Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery. The Rosary will be offered at the church at 10:40 am. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Saturday at the church with a nursing honor guard service at 12:45.

Contributions may be made in Maureen’s memory to the Lechner Scholarship c/o the Community Foundation of Howard County or to Sts. Joan of Arc & Patrick School. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Shirley & Stout Funeral Home in Kokomo.

Michael “Mike” Goodman

On Monday, January 22, 2024, Michael “Mike” Goodman went to his heavenly home. He was born on January 22, 1947, in Elwood, Indiana, the son of Allen and Florence Goodman.

Mike was a 1965 graduate of Tipton High School. He proudly served in the US Army from 1965 to 1970. Mike began his career with Marsh supermarkets in 1963 and retired from there in 2009 having served from bag boy and working his way up to the quality control supervisor at the Yorktown, Indiana warehouse.

He married his childhood sweetheart, Linda (Lin) Borden on November 26, 1965, in Byrdstown, Kentucky. Mike and Lin were blessed with two children, Cheryl Lynn Bronson (Bill), of Tipton and Brian Michael Goodman-Holliday (Tony), of Kokomo, Indiana; two grandchildren Shelby Teboe (David) of Cicero, Tristan Goodman (Bianca), of Indianapolis; and one great-grandson Jason Teboe of Cicero; son-in-law Bill Bronson; and special niece Julie Wesner (Deanna).

Mike was welcomed into Heaven by his parents Allen & Florence Goodman; wife Lin Goodman; daughter Cheryl Bronson; brother Richard Goodman of Pensacola, Florida; and sisters Sharon More of Kirkland, Janice Shupperd of Burlington, and Sandra Henry of Ocala, Florida.

Mike served on the Tipton City Planning Commission under Mayor Tom Balser. He was founder and past President of the Tipton CB Club. Mike also starred in a commercial for Marsh Supermarkets, which aired for several months on local TV stations. After retirement from Marsh Supermarket, Mike worked at Ace Hardware as a sales associate and as a truck driver for Hussey Farms in Windfall. In 2009 Mike worked on the TV show, Extreme Home Makeover, with the building of a home in Bunker Hill, Indiana. He worked the week as a volunteer coordinator, placing volunteers to jobs of their skill. Mike never met a stranger, and he was willing to help out whomever he met.

He was a loving father, husband and he loved nothing more than to travel, and spend time with family and friends. He enjoyed landscaping and mowing the lawn, making sure everything looked pristine. Mike was very active in his community; he was a member of West Street Christian church in Tipton Indiana. Mike had a passion for cars and built his 1932 Ford with his son-in-law Bill Bronson in 2007 and could be seen at many car shows in Indiana, Michigan, and Kentucky. Mike was a member of the National Street Rod Association, Indiana Street Rod Association, the former Central Rodders of Tipton. Mike enjoyed his early mornings at McDonald’s with his car buddies, reminiscing of their earlier years and their cars. Mike was also an avid bass fisherman, belonging to B.A.S.S. and the former Tico Bassmasters of Tipton.

A funeral service celebrating Mike’s life will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at 1:00 PM at West Street Christian Church, located at 132 N. West Street in Tipton with Pastor Ashley Sherrard officiating. Visitation for family & friends will take place prior to the service from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Committal will take place at Fairview Cemetery.

Taylor & Cowan Funeral Home is honored to care for Mike’s family in their time of need.

Matthew Edward Leininger

Matthew Edward Leininger, 53 of Tipton died after a brief illness at I.U. Methodist on Saturday, January 20, 2024 with his loving family by his side. He was born in Indianapolis on July 6, 1970 to Vernon E. and Judith L. (Johnson) Leininger. Matt married Jennifer Whitesell (Harris) on March 15, 2013 and she survives.

Matt was a 1989 graduate of Tipton High School. He was a fun-loving guy that enjoyed life and the company of his friends. He was employed for the past few years at Beck Hybrids where he was involved with the production at the facility. Many would know Matt as he worked for the Indiana Department of Transportation Tipton Sub District and at the Westfield Sub District as a foreman for over 20 years.

He was deeply involved with activities that surrounded his antique steam engines, the 1917 Port Huron “Ole Her”, the 1917 Nichols & Shephard and the 1920 Frick Eclipse. He belonged to the Pioneer Engineers Club in Rushville, was active at the Pioneer Village at the Howard County fair, showed at the Portland Tri-State Antique Gas Engine Tractor show, and was heavily involved in the Mid America Threshing Antique Club where he had served as a board member. He was well known for his “spark shows” with his best friends Dave Riggs, Danny Engle and Ralph Pearcy.

Survivors include his wife Jen, his mother Judith, children Joe Leininger, Dion Leininger, Meagan Leininger, Melanie Harris and Evan Harris. Siblings include Marcia Sigman (Brian) of Connecticut, Lisa Pfeiffer of Ohio, Jill Craft Shannon (Jim) of Louisiana, and Laura Sottong (Bill) of Tipton. Several nieces and nephews, William, Daniel, Eric, Alex, Kate, Jack and Meghan and Mike Leininger whom he considered a brother.

Funeral services will be on Saturday, January 27 at 2:00 P.M. at the Emanuel Lutheran Church in Tipton with Rev. Robb Roloff presiding. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. until service time on Saturday at the church. Burial at Fairview Cemetery will occur at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the Mid America Threshing Antique Show, P.O. Box 576 Arcadia, Indiana, 46030 or to the family for unplanned medical expenses with envelopes at the church.

Young-Nichols Funeral Home is honored to assist the Leininger family in their time of need.

Donna Rae (Bly) Thieke

Donna Rae (Bly) Thieke left to be with our Lord and Savior on January 17, 2024. She was born on May 23, 1938 to Raymond and Pauline (Waggoner) Bly who preceded her in death along with her sister, Patricia (Bly) Lambert and brother-in-law, Freeman Lambert. She has 2 siblings living, Beverly (Bly) Smith and Gary Bly and wife Shelia Bly; 3 children, Richard Clark and wife, Beth; daughter, Paula (Clark) Thompson; daughter, Patricia (Clark) Wunder and husband, Matthew Wunder; 4 grandchildren, Jennifer Bryant, David Shoemaker, Ben Wunder and June Wunder; 6 great-grandchildren, D'Angelo Bryant and Carlee (Sutton) Bryant, Mya Bryant and Mikhail Blackamore, Devon Bryant and Madison Brianne, Dana Shoemaker and Cody VanMeter, Jordan Forbes and husband, Jacob Forbes; 9 great-grandchildren, Dre'Lyn, Peyton, Ameerah Bryant, Ma'Riyah Bryant, MaLayah Blackamore, Makai Blackamore, Zaylyn, Nyla, Zander Bryant; 3 nephews, Kirk Bly, Kelly Bly and Kevin Bly; 4 nieces, Danielle Cox and husband Matthew, Heather Million and husband Jon, Marcella Kirkland and Butch, Denise Newton; 1 great-niece, Kelly Martin.

Donna belonged to 2 Eastern Star Chapters Center and Russiaville. She loved her Eastern Star Family so much she served as Deputy of district 15 and Grand Representative to the state of Tennessee. She was a member for 30 plus years. She had a Dear Friend, Patrick Wilson who she loved dearly, and he brought her so much joy. She was a member of Faith United Methodist Church for several years where she put together a signing choir and went to church camp with them and her choir was asked to do the opening music for the camp. Then she became a member of Calvary Baptist Church where she would sign music for them. Mother loved all of her grands and was so very happy when they were around her. Good Night, God Bless, We Love you.

A visitation for Donna will be held Saturday, January 27, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM at Ellers Mortuary Webster Chapel, 3400 South Webster Street, Kokomo, IN 46902, followed by a funeral service at 3:30 PM.