Dorothy Virginia Sommers, Gary Dan Crouch, Kathy Ann Jackson, Timothy "Tim" Lynn Laughner, Robert “Bobby” Earl Kling, Anthony "Adrian" J. Clark, Tresa Faye (Criswell) Burke

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Dorothy Virginia Sommers

Dorothy Virginia Sommers, a most-beloved mother/grandmother/great-grandmother, family member and Christian friend, passed away peacefully on April 25, 2025, at the age of 89. During her last moments, she was surrounded by loved ones, listening to some favorite gospel hymns.

Born in Newport, Arkansas, on February 19, 1936, to Clinton & Essie (Green) Landrum, Dorothy started working as a five-year-old, picking cotton with her mother. This experience taught her hard work, appreciation, and resilience. After moving to Indiana during her teens, she met her husband Ernest J. Sommers, who told her on the bus one day that he was going to marry her. Together they had two sons Eric Clinton and William Von.

As a military spouse, she embodied strength and supported her family through countless moves, challenges, and adventures. Her steadfast support and tireless spirit were the foundation of her family's success and happiness. Dorothy sacrificed her own health and happiness for her family's well-being. Tough times made her a tough woman and a force to be reckoned with. Her toughness helped her care for ailing parents while single- handedly raising her children, working at Delco and in the Dietary Department at Howard Community Hospital.

As an avid gardener, if the front door was locked, you could always find Dorothy in her garden. If you got her talking about flowers, especially her dahlias, it could bring the biggest smile to her face.

Deeply devoted to her faith, Dorothy was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ. She was committed to attending worship services and found strength in the community of faith. That same faith was her guiding light, shaping how she lived, loved, and served others. She took great joy in lifting up shut-ins through her visits. Worship services necessarily meant there would be a line of people waiting for a “Dorothy hug”.

She embodied the characteristics of humility and godly obedience, and her example will be missed.

Dorothy was preceded in death by two brothers, Cletus and Larry Landrum, her husband, Ernest, a son, William and grandson, Adam. She will live on through her son, Eric (Pam), grandchildren Clinton (Muffy), Joshua (Amanda), Jacob and Alex Sommers, Tashana (Justin) McCameron, Ashley (Adam) Goss & Jeff (Sheng) Auksel as well as daughter-in-law Robin Sommers (William) and sister, Betty Sawyer. She had 13 great-grandchildren: Colin, Carson, Keira, Cameron, Hayden, Breanna, Clayton, Sophie, Nicholas, Jacob, Harmony, Olivia, and Charlotte.

A graveside service for Dorothy will be held Friday, May 2, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery, 2097 West Alto Road, Kokomo, Indiana 46902.

Gary Dan Crouch

With sadness we announce the passing of Gary Dan Crouch on April 27, 2025, at Edward Hospital, Naperville, Illinois, with his family by his side. Dan was born, along with his twin sister Ann, January 27, 1947, to Louise and Guy Crouch Jr.

Dan grew up on a family farm in Hobbs, Indiana, with his three siblings Sherry (deceased) (Larry) Beach, Tom (Betty) Crouch, and Ann Swift. Working on the farm defined Dan’s character, and those traits continued until the end and were passed along to his children and grandchildren. There are countless words to describe the values learned from his parents on the farm: hard work, commitment, helping others, loyalty, and the list goes on.

No one would ever be able to out-work Dan. He would carry those qualities onto athletics fields, especially football where he set rushing records at Tipton High School. That led him to a football scholarship to Duke University. Athletics opened new opportunities and deep friendships on many teams at Tipton High School, Duke University, Butler University, University of Virginia, and Naperville Central High School. Sports would continue to be a common thread in his life.

Dan and Jane Gossard were married on August 1, 1970, in Tipton. They moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, where he was an assistant coach with the University of Virginia football team. A few years later, Dan and Jane would come back to Tipton to coach his hometown high school football team. He loved coaching and teaching in a small, tight-knit community. He maintained friendships that would persist throughout generations.

Their next stop would be Chicago, where they started their own family. Dan then worked as a broker at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. He was known for his honesty, fairness, and successful market positions. Dan and Jane would have three children: Whitney, Danny (deceased), and Kevin (Jamie). Dan’s family meant the world to him, and they would do everything together. His favorite activity was coaching Whitney’s and Kevin’s youth sports teams. He impacted many of Whitney’s and Kevin’s friends on those teams, with the perfect balance of teaching, thoughtfulness, and play calling.

Dan was known for his kindness and consideration. Everyone enjoyed conversations with him, no topic was off limits. He loved to debate with friends, family and even strangers. But his favorite discussions were always around family. He treasured planning family events with his parents and siblings. The Crouch family has always been large with many nieces and nephews. He would arrange fall festivals, Christmas, and other gatherings that would create unforgettable memories.

Dan will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. He was a man of principle and prideful of his family. His values of honesty, sympathy, and work ethic have been passed along to his grandchildren Bennett, Harrison, and Colin. His memories and experiences more than filled his lifetime and will be everlasting.

A funeral service honoring Dan’s life will be held at 3:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday, May 3, at Young-Nichols Funeral Home in Tipton with Rev. Ashley Sherard presiding. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service.

Young-Nichols Funeral Home is honored to assist the Crouch family. Online remembrances and condolences for Dan’s family may be left on his obituary page at www.young-nichols.com.

Memorial contributions in remembrance of Dan should be made to the Athletic Department at Tipton High School, 619 S. Main Street, Tipton, Indiana, 46072.

Kathy Ann Jackson

Kathy Ann Jackson, age 73, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Kathy was born in LaFollette, TN.

A time of visitation for Kathy will be held Monday, May 5, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Ellers Mortuary & Crematory Center, 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo, Indiana 46902, followed by a sharing of memories, at 1:00 PM, followed by burial at Kokomo Memorial Park.

Timothy "Tim" Lynn Laughner

Timothy "Tim" Lynn Laughner, age 63, a lifelong resident of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away in his home on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. He was born March 2, 1962, to the late Samuel and Rosalie Laughner.

Tim graduated from Taylor High School in 1981. He was very detail-oriented, always keeping his house in the best shape. Everything had its place. He was a car fanatic, a passion that started in his childhood. When he was just eight years old, he took apart the engine to his dad's Volkswagen. He worked on cars his whole life, even owned three Volkswagen buses. He would frequent the local car shows whenever he had a chance. In addition to his love for cars, Tim also loved James Dean. Anything James Dean he was a fan on.

Tim is survived by his daughter Marilyn "Susie" Pyles, siblings Dawn (Bill) Foster and Jerry Laughner, grandchildren Brooklyn Walker, Tnay Olivares, and Isabella Pyles, great-grandchildren Legend Geer and LeAire Geer, and niece Monique (David) Haire.

In addition to his parents Tim is preceded in death by his son Brett Laughner.

A memorial service for Tim will be held Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Ellers Mortuary & Crematory Center, 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo, Indiana 46902.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Timothy's memory may be made to Fairfield Christian Church, 1476 County Rd E 400 S, Kokomo, Indiana 46902.

Robert “Bobby” Earl Kling

Robert “Bobby” Earl Kling, 67, Kokomo, passed away at 6:50 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at Northwoods Village. He was born in Marion on December 10, 1957, to Milford Earl and Sarah Jane (Timmons) Kling. On June 1, 1998, he married Judy Mock, and she survives.

Bobby attended Marion High School. He enjoyed doing odd jobs around town, like mowing lawns, and cleaning houses. He also enjoyed being out in nature, taking walks, gardening, and fishing. Bobby had a very outgoing personality. He loved to debate and socialize with people. He watched old Country & Westerns, like Gunsmoke. He was resourceful, selfless, and loved everybody, especially his grandchildren. He loved animals, particularly his Jack Russell Terrier, Angel, and his Chihuahua, Yoda a.k.a. George.

Along with his wife Judy Kling, Bobby is survived by his children Bobby Jr., John, and Amanda Kling, stepchildren Raymond (Lena) Bowser and Cathy Purnell, daughter-in-law Kristy Kling, grandchildren Shanda (Kollin) Nottingham, Shelby Purnell, Austin (Leslie) Purnell, Jeremy (Emily) Bowser, Jyson Purnell, and Zachary (Alayna) Bowser, great-grandchildren Lavon Bowser, Rayjon Fowler, Adrian Nottingham, Josiah Fowler, Benjamin Hicks III, Kameron Nottingham, Elizabeth Hicks, Mylene Purnell, Alon Purnell, Baylin Purnell, and Isaac Bowser, siblings Marilynn Scheffer, Charles (Darcy) Kling, and Milton “Alb” (Karen Sue) Kling, and several nieces and nephews, including special nephew Ronnie Lee Marcisz.

He was preceded in death by his father Milford Kling, sons Kelly Kling and Randall Kling, stepson-in-law Jim Purnell, great-grandson Dayzon Fowler, brothers Keith Kling and Donnie Kling, and brother-in-law Dan.

A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, Jefferson Street Chapel, 414 W. Jefferson Street, Kokomo, IN, 46901. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service on Tuesday, at the funeral home. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com

Anthony "Adrian" J. Clark

Anthony "Adrian" J. Clark, a beacon of creativity and love, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2025, in Twelve Mile, Indiana, at the age of 54. Born on March 24, 1971, in Logansport, Indiana, to John Clark and Julie Hatten Davis, Anthony's vibrant spirit and artistic soul were evident from his early years.

A graduate of South Bend High School, Anthony went on to channel his passion for art into a successful career. He was the proud owner of an art gallery in the Rust Belt building in Ferndale, Michigan, where he not only showcased his own work, but his gallery became a cherished landmark in the community, a testament to his dedication to the arts and his ability to bring people together.

Anthony's talents extended beyond the walls of his gallery. His love for gardening, thrifting, and woodburning allowed him to express his creativity in diverse ways, each reflecting the beauty he saw in the world around him. His art was not just a profession but a way of life, imbued with the same passion and love that he shared with all who knew him.

Those who had the pleasure of knowing Anthony will remember him as a man of boundless creativity, passion, and love. He approached every day with a warm smile and a heart ready to give. His presence was a comfort, his laughter a joy, and his guidance a light for many.

Anthony is survived by his loving parents John Clark and Julie Hatten Davis, his devoted husband Don Beverlin, his caring brother Kyle Clark (Jamey), as well as his cherished nieces Lydia and Lyla. Each family member carries forward a piece of Anthony's radiant spirit.

Anthony's journey through life was marked by the deep connections he forged and the lives he touched with his artistry and compassion. As we say farewell to Anthony "Adrian" J. Clark, we celebrate a life lived with fullness, a legacy of beauty, and a love that will continue to inspire all who were fortunate enough to have been part of his story. His memory will be treasured, and his influence will endure in the hearts of his family, friends, and the community he so dearly loved.

Tresa Faye (Criswell) Burke

Tresa Faye (Criswell) Burke, born May 8, 1948 (on her dad's birthday), passed away at St. Vincent ER Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 1:22 AM, after fighting a long and tiresome battle with stage 4 non-small-cell lung cancer, which spread to her liver. She fought hard. It was a good fight, but her little body just couldn't fight anymore.

Tresa started her young life out by marrying our dad at the age of 15. She became a mom at the ages of 16, 17, and 21. She loved her children and enjoyed helping them learn to cook, sew, and be responsible. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years, enjoying working with us in 4-H and showing cattle. She went to work years later for Sears selling kitchens, owned her own business - B&C Custom Alterations - then moved on to property management by helping co-found Greystone Property Management, and by working just as hard, if not harder, as property manager. She eventually retired and became a stay-at-home granny, living at the time in Indianapolis, and then moving several years ago to Kokomo to be closer to her siblings and family.

She made many changes in her life over the years but always managed to stay her loving, stubborn self. She will be sorely missed by us all. We know she is where she was ready to be and with no more pain or suffering to deal with, only love. Our tears may never completely go away, but we will always have the love she gave and the memories made.

Survivors include three children Tammy (West) Reed (Donnie), Connie (West) Mclin (Keith), and DeWayne West, grandchildren Chris West (Melissa), Adam West, Joshua Taylor (Courtnay), Taylor West (Jon), and Austin Breeden, great-grandchildren Kristen West (Austin), Corbin West, Koehen West, James Taylor, Jackson Taylor, Avery Taylor, Bentley Mofield West, Wesley Mofield West, and Walker Nesbit, siblings Kenneth Criswell, Leonard (Barb) Criswell, Judy (Criswell) Cunningham (Steve), and Rex (Susan) Criswell, aunt Eula Criswell, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews too numerous to list, but all loved.

Tresa was preceded in death by her mother and father Mary (Bell) and Hobart Criswell, Carolyn (Criswell) Heaton, Roy Criswell, and Lendal Criswell.

Services for Tresa are private.