Eric J. Vimmerstedt, Robert M. Roach, Katherine E. Tucker, Thomas William “Tom” Moran, Lois Lee Cook, Brian Lee Avery, Lori Jo Allen

Eric J. Vimmerstedt

Eric J. Vimmerstedt, affectionately known as "Huck," passed away peacefully on June 1, 2025, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. Born on March 10, 1958, in Youngstown, Ohio, he was the son of James R. and Elizabeth (Morris) Vimmerstedt. In a testament to his enduring love, he married Eva J. Lee on December 15, 2006, who continues to cherish his memory.

Eric was a man who enjoyed working with his hands. Throughout his life, Eric was dedicated to his craftsmanship. His professional journey included positions at Truex Tool and Die, Jamen Tool and Die, and later at Hynes Industrial. In addition to his contributions in the workforce, he proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1980 until 2011.

Eric is survived by his wife Eva, of Tipton, and their three children Joshua, Eric, and Dale Vimmerstedt, all residing in Youngstown, Ohio. He is also remembered by his siblings Claire Dailey, Peter Vimmerstedt and wife Carol, and Carl E. Vimmerstedt and his wife Rose, all from the Youngstown area. Eric was a beloved grandfather to Eric Jr., Autumn, Braden, and Kennedi.

The family will receive friends from 4:00–7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3, at Young-Nichols Funeral Home in Tipton and from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 5, at Fox Funeral Home, 4700 Market Street, Youngstown, Ohio, 44512. Eric’s graveside service with military rites will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 6 at Calvary Cemetery, 248 S. Belle Vista Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio, 44509.

Young-Nichols Funeral Home is honored to assist the Vimmerstedt family during their time of need. Online condolence may be made on his obituary page at www.young-nichols.com

Robert M. Roach

Robert M. Roach passed away peacefully on May 31, 2025, at North Woods Village in Kokomo, Indiana.

Bob was born on October 1, 1935, to Verlin and Marguerite Roach in Marion, Indiana. He grew up in Kokomo, where he graduated from Kokomo High School in 1954. He joined the Army in 1956 and proudly served overseas in Germany with the United States Army in "B" Battery 63rd Artillery Battalion and was honorably discharged in 1958. He went to work at Stellite in 1958 and retired in 1988. Bob enjoyed spending time with family and friends, traveling, fishing, and being at the lakehouse.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 45 years Dorothy (Stout) Roach of Kokomo, Indiana, his children Michael (Lori) Roach of Madera, California, William (Cheryl) Roach of Kokomo, Indiana, and Candace (Dan) Wilson of Greentown, Indiana, daughter-in-law Shannon Smith of Kokomo, Indiana, grandchildren Timothy (Kylie) Roach of Raymond, California, Nicholes (Darci) Roach of Three Rivers, California, Alicia Eltzroth of Kokomo, Indiana, Kerri Roach of Kokomo, Indiana, Robert Eltzroth of Lagro, Indiana, John (Chelsea) Roach of Kokomo, Indiana, Dennis Franklin of Kokomo, Indiana, Shane (Leonor) Wilson of Chicago, Illinois, Terra Wilson of Russiaville, Indiana, Joshua (Shelby) Smith of Kokomo, Indiana, and Jasmin Smith of Kokomo, Indiana, great-grandchildren Dakota Roach of Kokomo, Indiana, Abygail Roach of Kokomo, Indiana, Robert Roach of Kokomo, Indiana, Waelyn Burkett of Kokomo, Indiana, and Nathan Roach of Three Rivers, California.

He was preceded in death by his parents Verlin and Marguerite Roach, son Jason Smith, and first wife Edith Sullivan.

Visitation will take place from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at Ellers Mortuary & Cremation Center. Funeral services will begin at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at Ellers Mortuary & Cremation Center, 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo, Indiana 46902. Burial will follow at Albright Cemetery, Kokomo, Indiana. Share a memory with the family at www.ellersmortuary.com.

To honor Lori's wishes there will not be a public service.

Katherine E. Tucker

Katherine E. Tucker, 74, of Galveston, passed away Saturday, May 31, 2025, unexpectedly at Community Heart and Vascular Hospital in Indianapolis. She was born October 8, 1950, in Miami County, Indiana, to Glen and Virginia Lowe. She married Herman L. Tucker on September 26, 1990, and he survives.

Katherine worked for many years as a Med Tech for both St. Joe and Community Howard Hospitals in Kokomo. She retired in 2003 with many years of service. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, quilting and painting, but her No. 1 love was being a wife and mother to her family.

She is survived by her husband Herman Tucker, two sons Rev. Anthony (Anna) Tucker and David Tucker, and three beautiful grandchildren Judah, Kaleb, and Sophie Tucker. She is also survived by three brothers David Lowe, Ronnie Lowe, and Larry Lowe. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Murray Weaver Funeral Home in Galveston with her son Rev. Anthony Tucker officiating. Burial will follow in Galveston Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Friday, June 6, 2025, from 5:00–8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Thomas William “Tom” Moran

Thomas William “Tom” Moran, 73, Kokomo, passed away at 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. He was born on January 6, 1952, to the late Elbert W. and Theresa M. (Deppong) Moran. He married Karen Love in Kokomo at Main Street Methodist Church, on June 19, 1976, and she survives.

Tom graduated from Kokomo High School in 1971. He sold janitorial and sign supplies for many years. He was a sales driver for Bottcher America Corporation in Tipton. He drove a Spirit of Kokomo bus for the City of Kokomo for five years before retirement. He enjoyed interacting with all the passengers that rode his bus. He enjoyed boating, fishing, taking care of his yard, and working on home improvement projects. He was a cat lover, and he and Karen adopted many stray cats.

Along with his wife Karen Moran, Tom is survived by his sister Jan McFadden and brother and sister-in-law Kevin (Angie) Love, and nieces & nephews Kyle Love, Tim Hill, Lora Moran, John Moran, and Dawn Norris.

He was preceded in death by his parents, mother and father-in-law Bob & Janet Love, sisters Diane Minisci and Shirley Miller, and brother Elbert Junior “Moe” Moran.

The family would like to thank Dr. Annette Moore and the entire staff at the Oncology Center at Community Howard Regional Hospital for the exceptional care Tom received the last eight years.

A memorial service celebrating Tom’s life will take place at 12 p.m. on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo, with Pastor John Crump officiating. Burial will take place at a later date in New London Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kokomo Humane Society or the charity of your choice. Tom’s service will be live streamed and can be accessed on his obituary page. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Lois Lee Cook

Lois Lee Cook, 83, of Tipton, died Saturday morning, May 31, 2025, at Community Howard Hospital in Kokomo. She was born in Perry, Ohio, on May 30, 1942, to Harold Vernon and Beatrice Eileen (Cross) Matthews.

Lois was an avid reader, always enjoying a good book. She was a certified Nursing Assistant, helping others with their physical care. Later, she was the manager at the Speedway gas station, where she had the pleasure of interacting with her customers.

Survivors include her daughters Darla Cook of Tipton, Bobbi Jo Ayers and husband Matthew of Spotsylvania, Virginia, and Cheryl Vaughn of Ramah, New Mexico. Siblings include Sharon Freese, Illa Rae Covington, and Richard Matthews of Ohio and Jim Matthews of Michigan. Lois was blessed with six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

No services are planned. Young-Nichols Funeral Home is honored to assist the Cook family in their time of need.

On-line condolences may be made at www.young-nichols.com.

Brian Lee Avery

Brian Lee Avery, a beacon of light and love, departed this world on May 30, 2025, in his hometown of Kokomo, IN, where he was also born on July 7, 1969. His life was a testament to the power of positivity, and his legacy is one of joy, passion, and an unquenchable zest for life.

Born to Martha Ruebush and Larry Avery, Brian's early years in Kokomo were filled with the simple pleasures of Midwestern life. He carried the spirit of his hometown with him throughout his life, graduating from Kokomo High School and embedding himself in the fabric of the community. Brian's work ethic was unparalleled, a trait he demonstrated through his dedicated service at O'Reilly Auto Parts, his entrepreneurial spirit in opening Capital Products, and his commitment to Chrysler and IUK. His professional journey was marked not just by his achievements but by the countless lives he touched with his generosity and mentorship.

Brian's life was a symphony of interests that created a harmonious balance between work and play. He was an avid collector, a hobby that showcased his appreciation for the stories and history behind each cherished item. His love for nature and fishing was more than a pastime; it was a reflection of his deep connection to the world around him. Brian's soul danced to the rhythm of Rock N' Roll, a music buff whose enthusiasm was as infectious as the beats he adored.

To know Brian was to know love in its purest form. He was a thoughtful and loving partner to his fiancée Amanda Edwards, a guiding light to his son Bryan Avery, and a cherished brother to Mark and James Christopher Avery. His niece Jessica Gifford and several cousins were blessed to bask in the warmth of his spirited presence. Though preceded in death by his parents and siblings Jayne and Rickie Avery, the love and lessons they shared helped shape the incredible man he became.

Brian's life was a vivid illustration of how to live with intention and purpose. He taught us that every day is a canvas waiting to be painted with our highest aspirations. His thoughtful nature meant he never missed an opportunity to make someone feel seen and heard, and his loving approach to life ensured that every encounter with him left you feeling better than before.

In a world that often moves too fast, Brian was a reminder to slow down and savor the moment. His spirited approach to life's challenges was a lesson in resilience, showing us that what defines us is not the obstacles we face but how we choose to overcome them.

As we celebrate Brian Lee Avery's remarkable journey, let us carry forward his legacy by embracing the beauty in the everyday, by collecting moments of joy, and by rocking out to the soundtrack of our lives with the same passion he had. Brian's story may have reached its conclusion, but the melody of his life will continue to inspire and uplift us all. Let us honor his memory by living as he did—with hearts wide open, ready to love, to give, and to make the most of the precious time we have.

Lori Jo Allen

Lori Jo Allen, 65, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2025. She was born November 10, 1959, in Lafayette, Indiana, to the late Larry Foust and Sharon Elrod.

Lori enjoyed spending time outside, whether it was tending to her vegetable garden or enjoying time on the water fishing. She liked novels, BINGO, and old pickup trucks; Fords only, of course. She was a social butterfly, starting and ending her conversations with a hug. She loved to sit down with a cup of coffee and catch up with her friends. They would play cards and Scrabble together on many occasions. She loved to listen to loud music and to sing along at an even higher volume while dancing her heart out. She was up for anything and could make light out of any situation with her sense of humor. She would typically end her nights cuddled up with a good novel or an old rerun of Bonanza.

Lori is survived by her children Courtney J. McClure, Jessica J. Allen, and Jonathon W. Allen, siblings Samuel J. Foust and Jodi L. Allen, and grandson Riley J. McClure.

In addition to her parents Lori is preceded in death by her baby sister Lisa.