Paul Delain Rennaker, Connie Lea (Amos) Babcock, William Keith Huffer and Donna C. Huffer, Michelle Jeanette Burthay

Paul Delain Rennaker

Paul Delain Rennaker, age 96, Kokomo, passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 7, 2025, at 11:49 a.m. He was born December 23, 1928, on the Rennaker family farm near Converse, Indiana, to Starluss and Doris Margaret (Loop) Rennaker. He was the fourth child born of their five children. A lifelong resident of Howard County, he was born into a farm family, leaving behind a legacy rooted in faith, family, and farming.

He was a 1946 graduate of Jackson Township High School in Howard County. He was the loving husband of Mary Katherine Ford who survives him. They were married in the Converse Church of Christ on January 27, 1952, where he attended all of his life and served on the church board as deacon for many years.

A retired farmer, he was one of a succession of Rennakers to have farmed the family farm and was the last of his family to work the land. He will be remembered for being a very hard-working individual who truly enjoyed farming. Paul was a lifelong farmer in Howard, Grant, and Miami counties. Following retiring from farming at the age of 73, he enjoyed many years of learning and playing golf.

Paul was a very loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and provider for his family. After retirement, Paul and Mary Katherine left the family farm and moved to Kokomo. They have been on a journey, traveling extensively, seeing God’s beautiful creation. Their journey of blessings allowed them to see all 50 states by their 50th anniversary, continuing to travel elsewhere making many lasting friendships along the way.

Paul is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 73 years, his daughter Claudia Sue (Dr. James) Rudolph of Peru, three grandchildren Anthony “Tony” Miscoi of Converse, Mallory Garnett of Peru, and Chris (Hannah) Rudolph of Kokomo, and eight great-grandchildren, Halli, James, Davian, Anthony, Matilda, Skeye, Jazzelin, and Gracyn.

One daughter, Paula Delene Rennaker Sherman, preceded him in death on January 16, 2013. Also preceding him in death are his parents, and siblings William (Betty) Rennaker, Reva (Carl) Moore, Dean (Shirley) Rennaker, and Ruth (Roy) Young.

The family expresses gratitude to the caregivers and staff of Waterford Place and for the excellent care provided by Guardian Angels Hospice.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 14, 2025, at the Converse Church of Christ, 301 E. Wabash St., Converse, IN 46919. A funeral service celebrating Paul’s life will begin 1 p.m. on Saturday at the church with Pastor David Wheeler officiating. Burial will follow in Albright Cemetery in Kokomo. Contributions may be made in Paul’s memory to the Ark Ministries, 3522 N. 1000 E. 27, Converse, IN 46919. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Connie Lea (Amos) Babcock

Connie Lea (Amos) Babcock, 84, of Galveston, passed away Friday, June 6, 2025, at Community Howard Regional Hospital in Kokomo. She was born May 13, 1941, in Kokomo to Lavon Amos and Dorothy E. (Sites) Osborn. She was raised by her mother and stepfather Dorothy and Edgar “Punch” Osborn. On July 7, 1961, she married Robert Joseph “Bob” Babcock. He preceded her in death on April 2, 2022.

Connie graduated from Galveston High School in 1959. She was primarily a homemaker. She also worked for Orestes Canning Factory in Galveston, Cuneo Press in Kokomo, and Whitacre's Market in the bakery in Kokomo. She was very fond of her cats Pebbles and Pancake.

She is survived by her only daughter Jill Babcock of Galveston and two sisters Barbara Flick and Beverly Fore. She is also survived by nieces and nephews Julie (Glenn) Greenwood, Shari Scalf, Stacy (Darren) Surber, Jeff (Michele) Fore, Kristi Morgan, Scott (Joyce) Flick, Kim (Gary) Colburn, and Gary "Craig" (Sandy) Edgerley, and several great nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Bob Babcock, sister Janet Osborn, nephews Steve Flick and Tony Edgerley, and great nephew Dusty Campbell. She is also preceded by brothers-in-law Jerry Flick and Jim Fore and sister-in-law Barbara (J.D.) Dearinger.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in the Galveston Cemetery. No public visitation is planned. Memorial contributions can be made to the Galveston Vol. Fire Dept.

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

William Keith Huffer and Donna C. Huffer

William Keith Huffer and Donna C. Huffer of Tipton, married just short of 60 years, passed away within a few days of each other at The Waters of Tipton. They had previously lived in Kempton for 40 years before moving to Tipton.

Donna was born in Kokomo on June 12, 1937, the daughter of Elmer W. & Dorothy (Stunkard) Gillam. Donna died on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the age of 87. William was born on October 13, 1941, in Frankfort to Grover Keith & Wilamina E. (Ramey) Huffer, and he died on Monday, May 12, 2025, at the age of 83. They were married on June 5, 1965.

William and Donna were both long-time members of the Kempton Christian Church. Donna worked at Tipton County Memorial Hospital, retiring in 2002. Her last position there was working in sterile processing. William worked at the Chrysler Transmission Plant in Engineering. He had also served in the U.S. Navy and later was a Supply Sergeant in the Indiana National Guard.

William was a member of the Frankfort Masonic Lodge and the Indiana Scottish Rite. A member of the NRA, he enjoyed hunting and trapping. Free time for Donna meant cooking for her family, fishing, and traveling.

Survivors include: their two sons, William Huffer and wife Lorinda of Kirklin and Thomas E. Leach and wife Boni of Shepherdsville, Kentucky; grandchildren Samantha Huffer, Nicolas Leach, Eli Leach, Brandon Shuck (Lacy), Amber Leiding (Jeffery), and Coty Shuck; great-grandchildren Braylee Lacy-Leiding, Hailyn Leiding, Taydem Leiding, and Brenner Shuck; and a great-great-grandchild on the way.

William’s siblings are Patricia A. Akard and husband John, and Richard Huffer, all of Frankfort. They were preceded in death by one son James W. Leach and Donna’s brother Jack Gillam and wife Roberta.

A memorial service celebrating the lives of William and Donna will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, at their spiritual home, Kempton Christian Church, 202 W. Washington Street, with Pastor Larry Sims presiding. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the service. Military honors will be provided by the Tipton American Legion and the U.S. Navy. A Masonic Service will also be conducted to honor William.

Young-Nichols Funeral Home is honored to assist the Huffer family at this difficult time. Messages of sympathy for William & Donna’s family may be left on their obituary page at www.young-nichols.com. Memorial contributions should be made to Kempton Christian Church, 202 W. Washington Street, Kempton, Indiana, 46049 or to Hanging Rock Christian Assembly, 6988 IN-263, West Lebanon, Indiana, 47991.

Michelle Jeanette Burthay

Michelle Jeanette Burthay, 61, of Kokomo, passed away on June 4, 2025, at her residence. She was born on October 17, 1963, in Toledo, Ohio, to the late Anton Henderson and Judith McCoy, and Judith survives.

Michelle graduated from Western High School in 1982. She worked for General Motors as a Director of Human Resources. Michelle was an avid PC gamer and enjoyed traveling to Florida to visit her son Matt. Michelle had two cats Sansa and Tango, which she loved very much.

Michelle is survived by her son Matthew Burthay, mother Judith McCoy, sister Cynthia (William) Harmon, and nephew Jordan (Gina) Hopkins.

She is preceded in death by her father Anton, and her stepfather Donald McCoy.

Family will have a private event at a later date.