Donald Lee Burlingame, Ethel Pearl Wouster, Ryan Christopher Marks, Kim DeLano Burton, Michael Andrew Garland, Rita Jean Kendall, Rosie L. Wiggs

Donald Lee Burlingame

Donald Lee Burlingame, age 90, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. He was born April 23, 1935, to Ivy and Viola (Roark) Burlingame. He met the love of his life, his "sweetheart," Rowena Ann Quick in Kenosha, Wisconsin, at church, which set the stage for a faith-centered life and legacy together. They married on October 24, 1970. They had two children, Shawn and Karla, who survive. He was a very kind and loving father, not only to his kids, but to their friends as well. He was a man of faith who loved his Lord Jesus Christ with all of his heart and incorporated that love into every other part of his life and attitude towards others.

There was no one like him as a husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was fiercely loyal and the epitome of unconditional love. He will be missed, but make no mistake, his family knows he is home, and they thank God for the blessing that his life was to each of them.

Don was preceded in death by his wife Rowena and his parents Ivy & Viola.

He is survived by his children Shawn Burlingame and Karla (Steven) Hogan; grandchildren Mercedes Lahr, Sancia Sparger, Jeriah (Kayla) Hogan, Stevie (Cala) Hogan, Michiaiah Hogan, Israel Burlingame, Seth Hogan, and Simeon Hogan; great-grandchildren Lucas, Ethan, Sophia, Jude, Elijah, Xaelynn, and Calani; along with many siblings, nieces, and nephews.

Donald will be laid to rest at a graveside service Friday, September 12, 2025, at Albright Cemetery, 3910 Albright, Kokomo, Indiana 46902.

"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints." - Psalm 116:15

Ethel Pearl Wouster

Ethel Pearl Wouster, 90, of Mexico, IN, passed away at 3:34 A.M., Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at her residence. She was born in Rochester, IN, on December 30, 1934, the daughter of Paul and Dorothea (Cress) Smith. Ethel married Frederick J. Wouster on May 31, 1953, and he survives. Fred and Ethel celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary this past May.

Ethel was a 1953 graduate of Jefferson Township High School and a homemaker. She valued most her domestic life with family, and she was loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Surviving in addition to her husband Fred is a son Frederick "Pete" Wouster and his wife Elizabeth of Swayzee; daughters Clara Jean Miller of Mexico, IN, Kathy Montgomery and her husband Bruce of Kokomo, Christina Trott and her husband Stan of Mesa, AZ, and Debbie Cunningham and her husband Gene of Peru; a sister Loretta Smith of Mexico, IN; grandchildren Charlene McClain, Lee Ann Stoffer, Chad Wouster, Curtis Cunningham, Sandra Cash, Nathan Linn, Dustyn Trott-Wouster, Cheynne Trott, Eric Trott, and Madison Trott. Twenty great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter also survive. Ethel was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter Sherry Wouster; a brother Richard Smith; and a grandson Andrew Cunningham.

A service celebrating the life of Ethel Pearl Wouster will be held at 2:00 P.M., Friday, September 12, 2025, at the Eikenberry-Eddy Funeral Home, 84 West Main Street, Peru, with Rev. Kyle Neterer officiating. Burial will be in St. Charles Catholic Cemetery. Family and friends will gather from noon to 2:00 P.M. Friday at the Eikenberry-Eddy Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made through the funeral home to St. Vincent DePaul.

Ryan Christopher Marks

Ryan Christopher Marks, 33, of Kokomo, passed away Monday, September 8, 2025. He was born January 8, 1992, in Rochester, Indiana. He married Tara T. King on July 8, 2018, and she survives.

Ryan graduated from Plymouth High School and was currently working as a journeyman in construction. He enjoyed fishing, playing his guitar, and spending time with his children.

Surviving family include his wife Tara Marks of Kokomo; his children Quincey and Caius Marks at home; his mother Rachel (Randy) Hartman of Kokomo; his father Chris (Jennifer) Marks; siblings Essie (Eman) Monge of Goshen, IN, and Kayla (Clint) Marks of Oceanside, CA; aunt Darlene (Justin) Spears of Pendleton, IN; aunt Reanna (Keith) Traxler of Rolling Prairie, IN; uncle William Buckley; grandparents Wanda Dugard, Velma Hartman, Connie (Doug) Marks, and Linda (Mike) Burger; mother-in-law Sheryl Williams; father-in-law Gordon King; great aunts Rita (Bill) Long and Donna (Greg) Stiles; cousins Kyle (Nicole) Bedics, Travis (DJ) Fugate, Haley Traxler, Aiden Traxler, Brody Traxler, and Austin (Ashley) Traxler; nephews Emery Monge, and Chris and Robert Williams; and second cousins Sydney Traxler, Ryleigh Hickey, Joseph Bedics, and Jade Fugate. He is preceded in death by his grandfathers Joseph Dugard and Glen Hartman; his great-grandparents Lavotis (Calloway) Minix and Emma Jean Mulkey; and nephew Christopher Williams.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Gabe Contreras officiating. Burial will follow in Galveston Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 12:00 noon until service time prior to services at the funeral home.

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

Kim DeLano Burton

Kim DeLano Burton was born on September 4, 1958, in Kokomo, IN, (United States) and passed away on September 9, 2025, in Peru, Indiana, (United States) and is under the care of Ellers Mortuary & Cremation Center.

Visitation will be held on September 14, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. at Ellers Community Mortuary & Memorial Center, Inc., 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo, IN.

Visitation will be held on September 15, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. at Ellers Community Mortuary & Memorial Center, Inc., 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo, IN.

Funeral Service will be held on September 15, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Ellers Community Mortuary & Memorial Center, Inc., 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo, IN.

Committal will be held on September 15, 2025, at 2:15 p.m. at Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery, 2097 West Alto Road, Kokomo, IN.

Michael Andrew Garland

Michael Andrew Garland, known affectionately as Mike to his friends and family, left this world with the same grace and humor with which he lived his life on September 9, 2025. Born on a chilly winter day in Knox, Indiana, on January 10, 1974, Mike's infectious laugh and larger-than-life personality began warming hearts from the get-go.

Mike's journey through life was as vibrant and dynamic as a karaoke night, which, coincidentally, he absolutely loved. A proud graduate of Culver Community High School's Class of '93, he carried the spirit of his alma mater with him as he became the Director of Maintenance at both Culver Community and Culver Academy. His work was more than a job; it was a stage for his daily performances of dedication and camaraderie.

Family was the cornerstone of Mike's world. He shared 23 laughter-filled years with his beloved wife Amy Garland, and together they raised a trio of stars: Kyle, Katie, and Avery. His children, along with their partners Dakota, Stone, and Jordan Parish, gave him the cherished titles of “Dad” and “father-in-law.” The plot thickened with the arrival of his grandchildren Grant, Van, and Guinevere, who became his most adored audience. His baby dog Buster had a cameo role in the wonderful story of Mike's life.

He is survived by his mother Pamela Smith, father-in-law Clifford Slusher, his siblings Dennis, Shelly, and Cole, aunts, uncles, cousins, sisters- and brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his father Dennis Garland, grandparents Victor and Blanch Garland, Cedric and Rosemary White, and Don and Evone Humes, mother-in-law Shirley Slusher, and uncles Terry White, Butch Garland, Dave Garland, and Bob White.

Coach Garland, as he was known on the football and basketball fields, led his teams with the same passion he brought to every aspect of his life. He was the kind of coach who could make you run laps with a smile on your face, knowing that every drop of sweat was worth it. His love for the great outdoors was evident to anyone who joined him for deer and coon hunts or fishing. These weren't just hobbies; they were episodes of joy and bonding.

Mike's love for family reunions was legendary. He was the master of merriment, orchestrating gatherings where laughter echoed and memories were made. His heart, they say, was so big it could embrace the community, and then some.

In his final act, Mike fought a courageous battle with cancer, facing it with the same selflessness and humor that defined his life. He was a man who loved with his whole heart, and his legacy is one of love, laughter, and selflessness. Mike Garland was the kind of man who could find the funny in the mundane, the extraordinary in the ordinary, and the love in every moment.

As we bid farewell to Mike, we celebrate a life well-lived, a game well-played, and a song well-sung. His was a life that brought joy to so many, and his punchlines will echo in our hearts forever.

Let's pack the Opera House to show love and support for Mike Garland on Sunday, September 21, 2025, 101 E. Main St. Winamac, Ind., 46996 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Together we will honor his memory, share stories, and play euchre the way Mike would have wanted!

City of Firsts Cremation and Funeral Services by Rose and Geiger was entrusted with the arrangements. www.cityoffirstscremations.com

Rita Jean Kendall

Rita Jean Kendall, 73, passed away on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, with her loving husband by her side. She was born on January 17, 1952, in Cutler, Indiana, to her parents Ray Reef and Margaret (Ball) Reef. Rita married Tommy “Neal” Kendall on May 30, 1990, and the two have cherished the years they’ve had together.

Rita graduated from Carroll High School in the class of 1970. She then went on to earn a degree in nursing. Many folks from Tipton will fondly remember Rita from her years spent working for Tipton Hospital. She was a proud and compassionate nurse who never failed to advocate for her patients. Her kind heart, outgoing personality, and proficient skillset would almost immediately put her patients at ease. Rita loved her job, and that was obvious to anyone she crossed paths with.

In her free time, Rita was just as warm and caring. She loved spending time with her family and made home an enjoyable, restful place to be. You could often find Rita reading a book or watching a movie. She loved Kung Fu or Westerns. Rita also enjoyed tending to her garden. She had a green thumb and really liked being outdoors. Rita was a collector as well. She collected many different things through the years that symbolized special moments in her life. She was a person who appreciated her life and was thankful for the people who invested in her. Rita was a sweet spirit and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Those left to carry on Rita’s legacy of love are her husband Neal Kendall; brother Larry Reef; adopted son Jonathan (Amber) Yates; and extended family Devin Piel, Katherine Long, Roland Yates, Emmett Yates, and Dave & Barb Yates.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents Ray and Margaret Reef.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Taylor & Cowan Funeral Home, located at 314 N. Main St. in Tipton.

Rosie L. Wiggs

Rosie L. Wiggs, 78, of Kokomo, passed away peacefully at 11:42 a.m. Monday, September 8, 2025, at Ascension St. Vincent Kokomo. She was born on January 13, 1947, in White County, Arkansas, to Roy and Jeffie Wess. On September 14, 1993, she married Lee Wiggs, who survives.

Rosie graduated from Sharpsville Prairie High School in 1965 and later completed her training at Huffer Beauty School. She built a successful career as a hairdresser in the Kokomo community, where she lovingly served clients for 35 years before retiring in 2000. Never one to sit idle, Rosie went on to work at the Kokomo Courtyard by Marriott Hotel until 2016.

Rosie cherished her community and gave generously of her time as a volunteer at the Howard County Historical Society’s Seiberling Mansion. She was known for her warm smile, kind heart, and joyful spirit. She loved working jigsaw puzzles, had a lifelong affection for dogs, and most of all treasured celebrating life with her friends and family.

She is survived by her husband Lee Wiggs; her children Curt (Christine) Johnson, Mike (Cyndi) Johnson, and Jen Fillip; grandchildren Taylor Bline, Keeley Johnson, Kylie Webb, LeAnn Webb, Nick Heinecke, and Jackson Heinecke; and great-grandchildren Kynedi Johnson, Kellan Johnson, Cohen Wells, and Lily Jo, and Laney Rose Johnson.

A celebration of Rosie’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Rosie’s name to the Howard County Historical Society, 1200 W. Sycamore Street, Kokomo, IN 46901.

Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.