Dennis Arnold Rupert, Shelby Lynn Carpenter
Dennis Arnold Rupert
Dennis Arnold Rupert, 69 years old, of Kokomo, passed away at 9:22 a.m. Friday, February 21, 2025, at IU Health North in Carmel, IN. He was born in Kokomo, IN, on March 5, 1955, the son of the late Arnold S. and Juanita (Synder) Rupert. On May 16, 1992, he married Julie Marvin in Las Vegas, Nevada, and she survives.
Dennis was a 1973 graduate of Taylor High School. He served as the owner and operator of Rupert’s B & K Root Beer stand for 44 years until his retirement in 2019. There were countless employees he mentored and numerous customers he loved conversing with during that time. Dennis was a God-loving, family-oriented, and hard-working man. He was loving, caring, and the type of man who would help anybody in need. He had a quick-witted sense of humor. He was fascinated with trains and anything related to Smokey the Bear. His favorite memories were spent outdoors, especially at the Twelve Mile farm where he enjoyed his time for 30 years. Dennis had a soft spot for his beloved dogs and granddogs.
In addition to his wife Julie, Dennis is survived by his daughter Morgan Rupert, sister Cindy (Dale) Ables, nephew Steven (Becky) Ables, his daughter Kirsten (Austin) Haynes, and their daughter, Addy, his sons Tyler (Courtney) Ables and Connor Ables, nephew Kerry (Rebecca) Ghent, their children David, Olivia, Frannie, and Evan, brother-in-law Barry (Chris) Marvin, their son Travis (Hannah) Marvin, and their children Maddox and Ryatt, their daughter Hannah (Jordan) Henry and daughter Reese, mother-in-law Janice Marvin, best friends Jack Sutton, Peggy Willard, and David Saul, several cousins, beloved four-legged daughters Willow and Remington, and granddogs Rosie and Maggie.
He was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law John Marvin, and best friend Garness Willard.
Friends are invited to visit with the family from 3 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Shiloh United Methodist Church, 5741 W. County Rd. 100 N., Kokomo, IN 46901. Funeral service celebrating Dennis’ life will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 27, 2025, at the church, with Pastor Joe Johnson and Demetrius Warren officiating. Contributions may be made in Dennis’ memory to Shiloh United Methodist Church, Cross America, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Stout & Son Funeral Home – Russiaville Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements.
Shelby Lynn Carpenter
Shelby Lynn Carpenter, 32, of Leesburg, Florida, passed away peacefully at 3:48 p.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at Indiana University Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. She was born on December 16, 1992, in Kokomo, Indiana.
Shelby was a proud 2011 graduate of Kokomo High School and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Indiana University Kokomo. Her passion for helping others led her to work with special needs children, serving as a Registered Behavioral Technician at both the Better Life Academy and the Indiana Behavioral Analysis Academy. Shelby also dedicated her time to improving lives through her work with Habitat for Humanity. Shelby’s caring and generous nature continued to make a difference after her death as she saved two lives through organ donation.
Those who knew Shelby will remember her as a free spirit, always in search of the next adventure. She loved working alongside her father Jeff in his food truck and cotton candy business. An avid lover of nature, Shelby enjoyed hiking and spending time outdoors. She was a proud dog mom, especially to her beloved Marley, and found great joy in spending time with children, always eager to help care for them.
Shelby was deeply loved by her family. She was blessed to be raised by many parents, including her father Jeffrey Carpenter and Krista Melcher, and Melissa Dryer, her mother Tamara Brooks and Dino Psychogios, and Marc Brooks. Shelby is also survived by her many siblings Justin (Ashley) Roth, Samantha Roth (Ed Boxler), Sierra (M.J.) Nafiseh, Shayne (Taryn) Roth, Cheyenne Brooks (Kaiden Blane), Jacob (Ariana) Carpenter, and Tenley Melcher. Her loving grandfather Dean Carpenter also survives her, along with many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her grandmothers Deborah Carpenter, Naomi (Dan) Vandiver, Barb (Tony) Brooks, and Luna Roth, her great-grandparents Chet and Julia Marie Carpenter, and her aunt Amy Brooks.
A celebration of life gathering will be held in her honor from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26, at Rhine Hall Events, 507 N. Union Street, Kokomo. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pals for Paws at https://palsforpawsinc.com, or to Heroes Among Us, Inc. at https://heroesamongusinc.com.
Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family with cremation arrangements.