Michael David Ling

Michael David Ling, 64, of Kokomo, passed away Monday, March 25, 2024, at his home. He was born in Gary, IN, on August 14, 1959, the son of the late David and Judith (O’Brien) Ling.

Michael was loved by so many.

He was a 1977 graduate of Lafayette Jeff High School and held various employments in sales and management. His most recent tenure was as a chef at the Valley of Grace in Kokomo. Michael was a helpful, generous, and intellectual man who could connect with anybody about almost any topic. He was a charming man with a sarcastic sense of humor. He enjoyed playing golf, cooking, listening to music, and dancing. Michael was recently saved as a Christian and baptized at Crossroads Community Church – Downtown Campus. He was an avid sports fan, especially of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Michael is survived by his sons, Cory Michael (Caitlin) Ling, Ethan David Ling; ex-wife and mother of their children, Lori (James) Barger; brother, Mark (Lara) Ling; nephews, Parker Ling, Conner Ling; and several cousins and extended family on O’Brien side.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Crossroads Community Church – Downtown Campus, 116 North Main Street, Kokomo, IN 46901. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with cremation.

Annie Lee Gibson

Mrs. Annie Lee Gibson, of Kokomo, was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. Willie Tran Gibson.

Left to cherish Annie's memory are her children, Ronnie Davis (Suzanne), Phyllis Carter (David) and Mike Copeland (Michelle); sister, Martha Smith; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

Celebratory viewing will be held in Annie's honor from 2 - 4 pm at the N.L. Bluitt Jr. Funeral Chapel on Friday, March 29, 2024.

Celebration of life visitation will be held on Friday, April 5, 2024, from 6 - 8 pm at the Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 295 Union Hill Rd, Ashland, Mississippi. Celebration of life service will be held there on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at 12 p.m. with additional hour of viewing prior. Interment: Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery.

Joint service efforts entrusted to N.L. Bluitt Jr. Funeral Chapel and Dixie Funeral Home, 750 Bills St, Bolivar, TN 38008.

Tommy E. Cleaver and Helen F. Cleaver

Tommy E. Cleaver, 88, and Helen F. Cleaver, 94, of Kokomo, passed away on Monday, March 25, 2024, and Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at Century Villa Health Care & Rehabilitation, in Greentown.

Tommy was born on January 6, 1936, in Georgetown, AK, to Sammie and Minnie (Newby) Cleaver. He graduated from West Point High School in 1954. He went on to own and operate Tom Cleaver Roofing for over 50 years, before retiring. Tommy loved to walk around town and mow his yard. Overall, he enjoyed spending time outside. When he was younger, Tommy loved to sing and even sang and hummed a little, in his final days. He was a hardworking man, who loved to take care of his wife.

Helen was born on August 14, 1929, in Ball Knob, AK, to William “Bill” and Sophia (Duke) Roberson. She received her high school diploma from Indiana University Kokomo and was a homemaker for most of her life. Helen was a great artist who loved to paint. She loved flowers, gardening, and fishing. Helen had a great joy for writing and listening to music. She loved to shop and always enjoyed a trip back to her hometown in Arkansas.

Tommy and Helen were married in Kokomo, IN, on November 23, 1957. They spent a devoted 67 years together, and shared a large, loving family together. They loved spending time with their family, especially their children and grandchildren.

Tommy and Helen are survived by their children, Cliff (Leoda) Duke, Tammy (significant other, Jeff) Perry, Tommy E. (Brooke) Cleaver II, Angela (Phil) Beckner, Jennifer (Brian) Wyant, Tonya (Tom) Powell, and Edward (Lynn) Cleaver; son-in-law, Gary Cain; grandchildren, Sherry Vandevender, Lacey Perry, Kristin McHugh, Andrew Beckner, Megan Maddox, Thomas Powell, James W. Maddox III, Tommy E. Cleaver III, Mitchell Maddox, Ashleigh Rayn, Gennifer Jarvis, Madison Cleaver, Jake Cleaver, Samuel Cleaver, Brenten Welcher, Haley Bond, Penny Mack, and Zachary Abney; numerous great-grandchildren; Tommy’s sister, Ruby Smith; and Helen’s sisters, Sally Chandler and Betty Zehring.

They were preceded in death by their parents; daughter, Patty Cain; 4 babies; granddaughter, Patty Thacker; Tommy’s 9 siblings; and Helen’s 4 brothers.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff at Century Villa in Greentown, for their kindness and compassion to Tommy and Helen, in their time of need.

Friends may visit with the family from 10 am until 12 pm, on Monday, April 1, 2024, at Shirley and Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo. A memorial service will follow the visitation, starting at 12 pm on Monday, at the funeral home, with Reverend Robin Wentworth-Mayer officiating. Burial will follow in Galveston Cemetery. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Sheryl Pauline McGovern

Sheryl Pauline McGovern, 77 years old, of Kokomo, passed away 3:52 pm Sunday March 24, 2024, at Ascension St. Vincent – Kokomo. She was born in Kokomo, IN, on August 16, 1946, the daughter of the late Lloyd “Junior” and Roberta Pauline (Hoffman) Campbell. On June 5, 1965, she was married to Thomas L. “Skip” McGovern, by the Rev. Oliver Thomas, at Beamer United Methodist Church. They cherished 55 years of marriage until he preceded her in death on November 15, 2020.

Sheryl was a 1965 graduate of Kokomo High School. She worked at Delco Electronics for 30 years in production until her retirement. After her retirement, she worked at Party Direct. Sheryl was heavily involved with the Tri Chi Sorority Zeta Chapter for over 50 years. She loved socializing and could be considered a people person. She took in numerous kids and grandchildren she claimed as her own. She enjoyed time spent with her Bunko Club and attending ball games with her son Rodney.

Sheryl is survived by her sons, Rodney (Dahon) McGovern, Shawnee (Jenn) McGovern; grandchildren, Mason McGovern, Mercedes McGovern, William Thomas Hart, Megan (David Welge) Hart, Kyle (Jeribeth) Wysong, Samantha (Josh) Hurley; great-grandchildren, Mariah Reid, Uriah Wysong, Kyleia Wysong, T.J. Hurley, Atlas Welge; sister, Vicki Luckey; brother-in-law, Richard Perry.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter, Teresa Hart; sister, Beverly Sue Perry; brother-in-law, Roscoe “Rocky” Luckey.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 11 am to 1 pm Friday April 5, 2024, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 West Lincoln Road, Kokomo, IN 46902. Funeral service will begin at 1 pm on Friday at the funeral home with Pastor Jason Grant officiating. Burial will follow in Albright Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Sheryl’s memory to the Tri Chi Sorority Zeta Chapter memo line: IU Nurses Scholarship, C/O Karen Guerre – State President, 1204 S. Purdum St, Kokomo, IN. 46902.

Betty L. Dick

Betty L. Dick, 93, of Walton, went home to be with the Lord, Sunday, March 24, 2024. She was born December 22, 1930, in Peru, Indiana to Clarence L. “Lee” and Georgia E. (Titus) Prather. She was a 1950 graduate of Indiana Business College and went on to work for the State Hospital in Logansport as a QMA for many years.

Betty loved the Lord and was very involved with her church family at Walton Christian in Walton, Indiana. She was a member of the Sugar and Spice Home Ec. Club at Walton Christian and served on the funeral dinner committee for many years. She was also a member of the Bunko group; the Card Club of the Walton Public Library and she was involved with the buddy bag program at Lewis Cass School Corp.

Surviving family include her children, Barb (Scott) Wood, Russ (Anne) Dick and daughter in law, Gayla Dick. She is also survived by grandchildren, Othello Wood, Philip (Danielle) Wood, Russell (Leah) Dick, Jeremy Dick, Joey (Michelle) Dick, Andrew (Ashley) Dick, Kevin (Lauren) Dick, Samuel (Allison) Dick and Brian (Samantha) Dick. Surviving great grandchildren include Gatlin, Kanaan, Wyatt, Bryson, Norah, Caleb, Tyler, Kennedy, Cohen, Westin, and Madelyn. She is also survived by siblings, Linda (Ed) Nelson, Jane Lewis, sister-in-law, Jeanette Prather and several nieces and nephews. Betty is preceded in death by her parents, son Joe, siblings, Robert and Jack Prather, Ruby Mullen, Dorothy Foust, and brother-in-law, Clyde Lewis. She is also preceded in death by her former husband, Robert “Bob” Dick.

Visitation will be held from 4 – 8 p.m. Friday, April 19, 2024, at Murray Weaver Funeral Home in Galveston. Funeral services will follow on Saturday morning, April 20, 2024, at 10:00 am at Walton Christian Church with Pastor Bill Collins officiating. Betty will be laid to rest at Ever Rest Memorial Park Cemetery in Logansport.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Walton Christian Church in Betty’s memory. Murray Weaver Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. www.murrayweaverfuneralhome.com.