Barbara A. Kling Hughes, Betty Ruth Knotts, Vicki Sue Brangers, Ray A. “Arnie” Freeman, Jr., Charles “Chuck” David Showalter, Roma Lee Donaldson

Barbara A. Kling Hughes

Barbara A. Kling Hughes went home to be with the Lord on June 7, 2025. She was born in Miami County, Indiana, to Verlin "Pat" Kling and Marjorie (Waters) Kling on April 15, 1934. On June 6, 1959, Barbara married Fornie A. Hughes, Jr. at Mt. Zion Christian Church by her father Rev. Pat Kling. Fornie preceded her in death on May 12, 2014.

Barbara worked at Haynes Stellite in the 1950s through 1961, first in the credit union, and later in industrial relations. She enjoyed working as a secretary and held several secretarial positions in the cities where they lived.

Barbara is survived by two sons Scott A. Hughes (LeeAnne) of Dardanelle, Arkansas, and Curtis A. Hughes of Chattanooga, Tennessee, two grandchildren Zachary Hughes and Kristin Hughes of Russellville, Arkansas, three sisters Carol Dubar of Kokomo, Indiana, Deloris Wilson of Kokomo, Indiana, and Lois Miller of Amboy, Indiana, and two brothers Rex Kling of San Diego, California, and Stephen Kling of Hawaii.

She was preceded in death by her parents Pat and Marjorie, her husband Fornie, as well as her brother Phillip Kling and her granddaughter Ashley Hughes. Barbara was a member of Fair Havens Christian and Missionary Alliance Church.

-----Finally Home-----

But just think of stepping on shore and finding it Heaven,

Of touching a Hand and finding it God's; Of breathing new air

And finding it Celestial, of waking up in Glory and finding it Home!

-L.E. Singer

A visitation for Barbara will be Thursday, June 12, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. until the time of her funeral service, 2 p.m., at Ellers Mortuary and Cremation Center, 3400 S. Webster St. Kokomo. She will be laid to rest immediately following the service at Clymer Cemetery in Peru, Indiana.

Betty Ruth Knotts

Betty Ruth Knotts, 86 years old, passed away at 2:45 p.m. Thursday, May 15, 2025, at The Waters of Tipton. She was born in Anderson, IN, on March 12, 1939, the daughter of the late Chester and Hesther (Legg) Knotts.

Betty was a graduate of Anderson High School. She worked at Anderson Community Hospital as a laundry technician for 50 years until her retirement. She was known for her kind and generous spirit and was always ready to lend a hand to anyone in need. She loved her family, found joy in spending time with them — especially her nieces, nephews, and extended family — and took responsibility to help any of them whom she could. She was passionate about shopping trips and going on vacations and will be remembered for being a loving aunt and an amazing cook.

She is survived by her siblings Pat Bailey and Gerald Harney Sr., several nieces and nephews, several great-nieces and great-nephews, and special cousin Judy Voland.

She was preceded in death by her siblings Esther Romine, Donnie Harney, and Clarence Harney, great-niece Amanda Perry, and great-niece Stephenie Lynn Harney.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Homes & Crematory-Jefferson Street Chapel, 414 W. Jefferson St., Kokomo, with Gary Harney officiating. Burial will follow in Nevada Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 1 to 2 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.​

Vicki Sue Brangers

Vicki Sue Brangers, age 77, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away on Monday, June 9, 2025.

A visitation for Vicki will be held Friday, June 13, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Ellers Community Mortuary & Memorial Center, Inc., 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo, IN 46902, followed by a funeral service at 12:00 p.m. Vicki will be laid to rest immediately after her funeral service at Albright Cemetery, 3910 Albright Road, Kokomo.

Ray A. “Arnie” Freeman, Jr.

Ray A. “Arnie” Freeman, Jr. of Kokomo, IN, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 60 on June 7, 2025. He was born in Toledo, Ohio, on October 19, 1964, son of Rev. Ray A. Freeman and Mable Beatrice (Lyke) Freeman.

A 1983 Haworth High School graduate, Arnie worked as a truck driver. He enjoyed working with the bus ministry earlier in his life and in various prison ministries. Arnie took great joy in spending time with his family and networking with fellow truck drivers throughout his 25-year career. He loved helping anyone he could along the way and sharing testimonies of the goodness of God with anyone who would listen.

He is survived by his daughters Hannah Elizabeth (Tyler) Lowe and Olivia Rae Freeman, both of Kokomo, IN, mother of his children Tammy Freeman of Kokomo, mother Mable Beatrice Freeman, siblings Debbie (Mike) Sexton, David (Aleisa) Freeman, and Angel (Jimmy) Justice, beloved cousin Richard (Chrissy) Cecil, as well as many nieces, nephews, great nephews, cousins, and church family members.

He was preceded in death by his father Ray A. Freeman Sr., beloved great uncle James Freeman, as well as many spiritual influences.

Funeral services celebrating Arnie’s life will be at 4:00 p.m. Friday, June 13, 2025, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1315 West Lincoln Road, with Pastor Devan Cole officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 2:00 p.m. until service time Friday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Christian Heritage Worship Center food pantry. Messages of condolence may be left at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Charles “Chuck” David Showalter

Charles “Chuck” David Showalter, 69, passed away at 10:58 a.m. Friday, June 6, 2025, at Ascension St. Vincent Kokomo. He was born on February 8, 1956, in Indianapolis, IN, son of David R. and Janet M. (Hicks) Showalter. On November 14, 1981, he married Melinda Harlow in Russiaville, IN.

Chuck was a 1974 graduate of Park Tudor School in Indianapolis and attended Indiana University and Franklin University. He was the owner of Network Parts for 37 years and had previously been a sales manager at Accurate Parts. Chuck attended Grace United Methodist Church of Kokomo and Meridian Street United Methodist Church in Indianapolis. He was an avid music collector and was a coach for youth sports.

Along with his wife of 43 years Melinda S. Showalter, he is survived by his children Kristin (Mike) Matthews, David (Jessica) Seitz, Douglas (Joanna) Showalter, and Ryan Showalter, grandchildren Madeline (Molly) McCauley, Meghan (Evan) McCauley, Matthew McCauley, Anna Seitz, Allison Seitz, Irene Showalter, Alice Showalter, and Russell Showalter, mother-in-law Mary Ellyn Harlow, sister Barbara (Harold) Pakula, nephew Alex Pakula, sister-in-law Liz (Ron) Harper, several nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews, and his beloved golden retriever Maggie.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents Janet and David Showalter, father-in-law Gerry Harlow, and mother-in-law Virginia Harlow.

A memorial service celebrating Chuck’s life will take place at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 13, 2025, at Grace United Methodist Church, 219 W Mulberry St #101, Kokomo, IN. Friends may visit with the family from 3 p.m. until the time of the service on Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Billy Bassett Scholarship Fund, www.billybassettscholarshipfund.com, and to the Kokomo Humane Society, www.kokomohumane.org. Shirley & Stout Funeral Homes & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.

Roma Lee Donaldson

Roma Lee Donaldson, age 82, passed away on Saturday, June 7, 2025.

A visitation for Roma will be held Monday, June 16, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home, 2097 West Alto Road, Kokomo, IN 46902, followed by a funeral service at 12:00 PM.