John Wesley Sargent Jr., Deloris Wren, Joan Lucille Rife, Michael (Mike) Kent Prifogle, Paul Clifford McCartney, Susan Lea (Archibald) MaCurdy Smith Zinkan

John Wesley Sargent Jr.

John Wesley Sargent Jr., age 70, of Sharpsville, Indiana, passed away at home on Thursday, May 8, 2025. John was born in Kokomo, Indiana, on December 10, 1954, to John and Betty Jo (Swing) Sargent. He graduated from Taylor High School in 1974. His first job was working in his brother-in-law Bill's gas station, before working for American Standard Pottery until they closed. He went on to work for Milbank, then for Greentown Crop Maker, finally retiring from Jem Farm Services as a custom applicator of fertilizers and chemicals for farming.

John enjoyed dirt track racing, watching his grandson Wesley racing, and watching hummingbirds. He had a knack of always knowing just who to call if someone wanted something. He was a loyal WeCare supporter and loved his country music. He was a valued member of Fairview Baptist Church. John loved his family most of all; his wife Pam, his kids, grandkids, and dogs. He was always offering to help those he saw in need, and any guests that visited his home never left hungry. His kindness and generosity were given freely to anyone, and his absence will forever be felt by those left behind to cherish his memory. His greatest hope was that he had set a good example for his family to follow.

Survivors include his wife Pamela (Sutherlin) Sargent, his daughter Laura Sargent, son John W. Sargent III, sisters Jean (Bill) Nearon and Debbie (Larry) Kendall, grandchildren Cody (Kayla) Dailey, Wesley (Stephanie) Sargent, Alexis (Isaiah) Henn, Rilynn Sargent, Colt Sargent, Zoey Sargent, and Isaiah Sargent, great-grandchildren Zayden Dailey, Damian Dailey, and Olivia Henn, as well as several nieces and nephews too numerous to mention by name but ALL special to him.

Special thanks go out to Kelly, Adam, and Alyssa with Guardian Angel Hospice, as well as Shawna East, for all his care. Special thanks as well to the employees and residents at Northwoods Village for all their thoughts, prayers, and support given not only to John, but to his family as well.

John was preceded in death by his parents John Sr. and Betty Jo Sargent, brothers-in-law Bill Nearon and Larry Kendall, nephews Randy Nearon and AG Kendall, and great-niece Chelsea Bitner.

A time of visitation for John will be held Tuesday, May 13, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Ellers Mortuary, 725 S. Main Street, Kokomo, IN 46901. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 11:00 AM, also at the Main Street location. A committal service will immediately follow the funeral at his final resting place, Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery, 2097 West Alto Road, Kokomo, IN 46902.

Deloris Wren

Deloris Wren, 80, of Kokomo, passed away at 8:54 a.m. Friday, May 9, 2025. She was born June 6, 1944, in Wheeling, West Virginia, to Richard and Pauline (Shobe) Walters. She married James K. Wren on July 11, 1994, and he survives.

Deloris was a waitress for many years. Most of her career was spent working at Denny’s Restaurant. She enjoyed sewing in her spare time.

Surviving family include her husband Jim Wren of Kokomo, her children Robin, Andrew, and Victoria, her stepchildren Jeffery, Brett, and Kari. She was blessed with four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Deloris is preceded in death by her parents, her stepson Kevin Wren, and brothers Melvin and Ronald Walters.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, May 12, 2025, at the Galveston Cemetery in Galveston, Indiana, with Pastors Ken Schweter and Matt Elless officiating.

Murray Weaver Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. www.murrayweaverfuneralhome.com

Joan Lucille Rife

Joan Lucille Rife, 90, Kokomo, passed away at 11:40 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at Century Villa in Greentown. She was born in North Grove, IN, on July 3, 1934, to the late Paul and Ruby (Myers) Zook. On October 23, 1953, she married her best friend, Ovid “Bud” Rife, and he preceded her in death on March 11, 2014.

Joan graduated from Eastern High School in 1952. Joan and Bud lived in Roann, Indiana, until 1954 when they moved to rural Howard County, near Plevna. She worked in the cafeteria at Eastern Elementary for 33 years before retiring. She was a member of Kokomo Zion Church, where she sang in their choir. She was also a member of the Kokomo Quilt Club, and Eastern Star. Joan loved spending time with her family. She enjoyed quilting, sewing, gardening, and working in her yard.

Joan is survived by her children Rick (companion, Michelle Scott) Rife, Brad Rife, and Lucinda (Kevin) Moss, grandchildren Joseph (Sarah) Rife, Jonathan (Jamie) Rife, Jamin (Bobby) Cutler, Mallory (Will Guthrie) Butts, and Grayson (Grace Thompson) Butts, great-grandchildren Magdalena Pearl Rife, Bart Cutler, and Natalie Justice, siblings Janet Wiles and John Zook, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents Paul and Ruby, husband Bud, and siblings James Zook and Judy Cook.

A funeral service will take place at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 16, 2025, at Kokomo Zion Church, 5051 County Road E 400 N, Kokomo. Burial will follow in Mast-Hensler Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit the family from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, May 16, 2025, at the church. Memorial contributions may be made in Joan’s name to the charity of your choice. Hasler & Stout Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.hasler-stout.com.

Michael (Mike) Kent Prifogle

Michael (Mike) Kent Prifogle, 74, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away on May 8, 2025. He was born on May 27, 1950, in Kokomo, Indiana, the son of Ralph E. and Martha (Jones) Prifogle. Mike married Kathleen (Behling) Prifogle in 1971, and they were together for 26 years. They had two sons, Ben and Chris Prifogle.

Mike was a 1969 graduate of Northwestern High School. He enjoyed being around family and friends at the racetrack, tractor pulling, and working in the garage.

He is survived by his children Ben (Colleen) Prifogle and Chris (Jenna) Prifogle, grandchildren Morgan and Max Prifogle, Jack and Quinn Prifogle, and siblings Terry and Tim.

Mike was preceded in death by brother Gene Prifogle and his parents.

A Graveside Service will take place on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery. Share a memory with the family at www.ellersmortuary.com.

Paul Clifford McCartney

Paul Clifford McCartney, 75, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away on May 9, 2025. He was born on September 21, 1949, in Kokomo, Indiana, the son of Paul R. and Iola F. McCartney. Paul loved making dream catchers and Indian artifacts. He collected knives and enjoyed fishing.

He is survived by his grandchildren John (Tarra) Black and Anthony (Victoria Whitehead) Black, and many great-grandchildren.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, wife Brenda, and daughter Angie Black.

In accordance with Paul's wishes, all services will remain private. Share a memory with the family at www.sunsetmemorygarden.com.

Susan Lea (Archibald) MaCurdy Smith Zinkan

Susan Lea (Archibald) MaCurdy Smith Zinkan passed away at her home at 10:26 a.m. on April 29, 2025, due to lung cancer. She was born on March 21, 1948, in Logansport, Indiana, the daughter of Wayne F. and Maxine F. (Thomas) Archibald.

Susan graduated from Clinton Central High School in 1966 and later married John D. MaCurdy on July 16, 1968. They had a daughter Regan (Phil) Kercheval and son Jason MaCurdy. After divorcing, she moved to Kokomo and began her career in social work, in which she served until a recent hospitalization and diagnosis of terminal cancer. She married Monte J. Zinkan in June of 1996.

Susan was a devoted advocate for the underprivileged. She always enjoyed helping others find assistance in their time of need and established many life-long friendships doing so. She had many treasured pets during her life and supported adoption through local rescues and shelters. She was highly motivated by her love of various forms of music. Susan and Monte enjoyed live music events together. She also enjoyed a lifetime of fishing, crafting, and gardening.

Left to cherish her memory are her caring husband Monte, children Regan and Jason, grandson Brody MaCurdy, granddaughter Kasey (Ethan) MaCurdy, two great-grandsons, siblings Stan (Donna) Archibald and family and Tom (Jan) Archibald and family, and numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one nephew.

A private memorial service was held in her honor. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Susan’s name to the American Cancer Society.