Bonita Jo “Bonnie” Patmore, Michael Steven McAllister, Norman E. White

Bonita Jo “Bonnie” Patmore

Bonita Jo “Bonnie” Patmore, 78, Kokomo, passed away at 8:15 a.m. Monday, October 27, 2025, at Community Howard Regional Health in Kokomo. Born on July 28, 1947, in Kokomo, she was the daughter of the late Ralph Earl and Dora Catherine (Fuller) Bousum. She was previously married to Raymond James Karp Jr. On September 17, 1976, she married Larry Patmore who preceded her in death on March 25, 2007.

Bonnie graduated from Kokomo High School in 1965 and began working at Delco. However, she felt the urge to serve her country and proudly served in the United States Marines. She was honorably discharged in August 1968. After the service, Bonnie returned to Delco and dedicated 31 years working before her retirement. During her time at Delco she attended Indiana University Kokomo, making the Dean’s List. After being retired for about two years she decided to work part-time at North Woods Commons, where her husband Larry was employed. She worked in the office, hosted movie night for the residents, and became a person who cared about each of them.

Bonnie was a member of Family Worship Center in Kokomo, the church where several family members also attended. Bonnie was the “tomboy” of her sisters. She considered herself a “Daddy’s girl.” Athletic and tall, Bonnie would compete against her brothers and her Burlington cousins. She had a passion for family genealogy, researching newspapers and documents and travelling to various locations to acquire information about her ancestors. She loved various forms of music including 1950s and ‘60s oldies, the Gaithers, and Irish folk tunes, and shared those songs with others. Bonnie enjoyed watching TV shows that displayed people’s talents like “Dancing with the Stars” and “The Voice” and was an avid viewer of YouTube videos and true crime shows.

When she was young, Bonnie was the leader (or instigator) of many fun activities with her siblings, such as learning songs together in a funny way, having food fights, and generally making life entertaining and wonderful. These traits she brought into the lives of her children and grandchildren, creating many fun and unforgettable memories with them. The apple of her eyes were her children and her grandchildren she referred to as the “Fab Five.” Bonnie made friends easily in the Marines, at work, and in the neighborhood, and they began a lifelong relationship with her. For many years, after her mom passed away, she organized all the women of the family to celebrate her mother’s life by meeting together, having fun by being silly and enjoying themselves as the “Oonie Oonie Chapter of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.” Loving being with her family, siblings and relatives, she organized annual Christmas parties and family reunions. Bonnie was fiercely protective of her children, grandchildren, and siblings, watching over the family. Bonnie was adventuresome, once spending weeks with her sister Joy traveling throughout the United States and writing about her travels, calling it her “Westward Ho” experience.

Bonnie loved to tell others about events in her life and wrote well over 100 short stories about herself and family, posting many of them on Facebook for friends to enjoy. Known for her unrivaled wit and unfiltered honesty, Bonnie created humor and thought-provoking comments.

She is survived by her children Angele (David) Leyda, Raymond “Jay” Karp, Aimee (Aaron) Keiper, and Jon “Andy” Patmore; grandchildren Matthew Leyda, Nathan Leyda, Hannah Keiper, Benjamin Leyda, and Noah Keiper; siblings Constance Absher, Joy Ammerman, James Bousum, Timothy Bousum, Garry Bousum, Patrick Bousum, Starr Petty, and Jon Bousum; along with numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and loving sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Larry Patmore; and siblings Ralph E. Bousum Jr., Barry S. Bousum, and William R. Bousum.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at Family Worship Center, 1149 E. Center Road, Kokomo, with Pastor James Bradley officiating. Burial will follow in Albright Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4-8 p.m. on Monday, November 3, 2025, at the church. Memorial contributions may be made in Bonnie’s memory to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, at mda.org. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.

Michael Steven McAllister

Michael Steven McAllister, 61, of Kokomo, IN, passed away on October 30, 2025. He was born on March 1, 1964, in Hammond, IN, the son of Doyle and Alicia (Dearing) McAllister.

Michael and his parents moved to Kokomo in 1973. He graduated from Haworth High School in 1982. Michael received his Bachelor of Science degree in education and psychology in 1987 at Purdue University. He was employed in the employee relations department of Red Gold and Syndicate Sales for most of his career. Michael attended Bible Baptist Church.

Surviving relatives include his father Doyle McAllister and stepmother Mary McAllister, both of Kokomo, IN; sister and brother-in-law Ken and Susan Collins; fiancée Carol Hicks; as well as nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews who live in Indiana, Ohio, and North Carolina.

He was preceded in death by his mother Alicia McAllister.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at Bible Baptist Church, 2635 South Dixon Road, Kokomo, IN 46902. Pastor Keith Treadway will officiate the service. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM at the church. Entombment will follow at Sunset Memory Garden Mausoleum in Kokomo, IN. Memorial contributions may be made to Bible Baptist Church.

Norman E. White

Norman E. White, 86, of Young America, passed away Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at his home. He was born May 9, 1939, in Bunker Hill, Indiana, to Verla and Vera (Finster) White. Norman married Rita L. Catt on August 3, 1969, in Bunker Hill. She preceded him in death May 2, 2014.

Norman retired from Delco Electronics with over 33 years’ service in 1997. He was a past member of the Young America Lions Club. He enjoyed shopping, playing the lottery, riding in the golf cart around town, and Jeff Gordon.

Surviving family include his three daughters Kim White (James) of Logansport, Shawn and Bobbie Cox of Galveston, and Karla A. White (Bob Cohee) of Young America. His grandchildren include Bradley and Lacy, Blake, Cole, Mackenna and Briley, Brock and Sarah, and Kyle and Mary Jo. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren Leighla, Savannah, and Abel, and siblings Bobby, Wendel, and Dixie. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Rita, brothers Maynard and Melvin, and sister Mary Viola.

Visitation will be held Thursday, November 6, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Murray Weaver Funeral Home in Galveston. Funeral services will follow on Friday morning at 10:00 a.m. at Center Community of Faith Church in Young America, with Pastor Brent Cripe officiating. Norman will be laid to rest next to his wife Rita in the Center UB Cemetery.

The family would like to extend a special “Thank You” to Paradigm Hospice and Nurse Regina for the excellent care they gave Norman.

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

Amber Nicole “Nikki” Bell

Amber Nicole “Nikki” Bell, 39, of Kokomo, passed away at 12:54 p.m. on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at Community Howard Regional Health. She was born April 28, 1986, in Michigan City, Indiana, and was the daughter of Richard Owen Bell, Jr. and Kathleen (Morris) Cerwin.

Amber earned her high school diploma through the Excel Center in Kokomo. She worked at Red Lobster, where she took care of guests and helped prepare silverware, and had previously worked at Fazoli’s. Amber was an avid wrestling fan, especially of the WWE, Jey Uso, and Roman Reigns. She enjoyed doing diamond art and creating crafts to share with her family and friends. She loved her Cabbage Patch babies, the Chicago Cubs, and participating in the Special Olympics, where she had earned many awards, ribbons, and trophies.

Survivors include her sisters Crystal (Robert) Metheny and Tiffany Johnson; nieces Natalie Johnson, Saige Johnson, Abigail (Zech) Tolsen, Savannah Murphy, Madison Whittenburg, and Jadyn Dunn; nephew Kyo Aumiller; stepfather James Cerwin; many other loving family members; roommates Julie and Callie; best friend Whitney Walker; and her Bona Vista family and good friends Michelle Schroeter, Laura Smyth, and Kelley Kearney.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother; brother-in-law Steve Johnson; and cousin Michelle Kuhnle.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, November 7, 2025, at Crossroads Community Church, 4254 S. 00 EW, Kokomo, with Pastor Dave Welsh officiating. Friends are invited to visit from 1 to 3 p.m. on Friday at the church. Private family burial will take place at a later date in Heckman Memorial Cemetery in Hesston, Indiana. Contributions may be made in Amber’s memory to Special Olympics, https://support.specialolympics.org. Messages of condolence can be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com. Shirley & Stout Funeral Homes & Crematory, Kokomo, have been entrusted with arrangements.