Wesley Walter Jeffries, Larry L. Howell, Dollie Marie Duling, Wanda Walker, Bruce Anthony LaFleur, Gary Wayne Bowman, Emerson Galen Deardorff, Phillip Deangelo White
Wesley Walter Jeffries
Wesley Walter Jeffries was born December 31, 1947, in Kokomo, Indiana, to his parents Johnny Robert Jeffries and Ruby Lee Price. He passed away on October 31, 2025, in Kokomo.
Wesley grew up in Kokomo. He attended Central School, Sycamore School, and Kokomo High School. At Central School, he was a school safety patrol. While at Sycamore School, he was school photographer, and one of his photos was featured on the cover of the school yearbook. At Kokomo High School, he was in the German Club. He graduated in June of 1966. A few years later, he attended classes at IVY Tech, taking courses in computers and welding.
In 1966, before his high school graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. After graduation, he married Phyllis Marie Barley in Galveston, Indiana, on October 15. He reported shortly afterwards to the Army. When he returned, Wesley and Phyllis had two daughters Melissa Renee and Christine Dale. They divorced in 1972.
On December 2, 1972, Wesley married Sheryl Lea Hamilton in Louisville, Kentucky. Wesley and Sheryl had three children, sons Sean Patrick and Alexander Scott and daughter Jennifer Lynn. They celebrated their 52nd anniversary in 2024.
Over the years, Wesley worked a variety of jobs. In Kokomo, he flipped burgers at McDonalds. At Murphy’s or Grant’s department stores he was a stocker. He was a route driver for Dietzen’s Bread and Coca Cola. He drove a taxi for City Cab. He worked for Delco Radio, Accurate Parts, and Chrysler Corporation. In Plainfield, Indiana, he was a prison guard for the Indiana Department of Corrections. In Louisville, he worked for Wood Mosaic and Fawcett Printing. He was also self-employed a few times as a photographer, locksmith, process server, and his gun shop (Old Geezer’s Gun Shop).
Wesley had quite a few hobbies. He loved to read, especially science fiction and fantasy. He was a big fan of the Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter books. He played chess, various card games, and Scrabble. He was somewhat of a pool hustler. He loved watching movies. Among his favorites were westerns, war, action, and sci-fi. After a serious auto accident in 1998, Wesley studied and became a licensed Ham Operator. His call signs were KB9THN and W9WWJ. In his younger days, he roller skated. He also collected various guns.
During times when he was laid off, Wesley would volunteer. He worked at the Salvation Army pantry. He would help in times of weather emergencies. He was there to help out anyone in need. In 1981, his friend volunteered him to manage a Farm League baseball team. Despite never having played sports much, he stepped up. There were a number of children who were passed over and not picked for any team. They became his team and worked as hard as they could for him. He led them to the Farm League championship that year.
Wesley loved his family very much. He is survived by his wife Sheryl; former wife Phyllis; daughters Melissa (Mike) Byrd, Christine (Rena) Jeffries, and Jennifer (Patrick) Metsker; sons Sean Jeffries and Alexander (Amanda) Jeffries; sister Shirley Nelson; sisters-in-law Linda Jeffries and Jerry Hamilton; and brother-in-law Victor Walker. He is also survived by six grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Arliss Jeffries; sister Jane Jeffries; and nephews Bill Nelson, Dan Jeffries, and Ben Jeffries.
A visitation will be held at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home, 2097 West Alto Road, Kokomo, Indiana, 46902, on November 8, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. A funeral service will follow at 5:00 p.m. Interment will be held at a later time.
Larry L. Howell
Larry L. Howell was born September 19, 1954, and passed away October 29, 2025. He is survived by his spouse Debbie Howell of 49½ years, children Ashley Howell (fiance Aaron Brewer) and Brandon Howell (Alex), mother Shirley Howell, grandchildren Gianna Beechy, Rowan Howell, and Forrest Brewer, twin brother Terry Howell (Cathy), mother-in-law Sue Flook, brothers-in-law, Brad (Susie), Larry (Kelly), and Kevin (Vicki) Flook, as well as several, nieces, nephews, and close friends. He is preceded in passing by his father Darrell Howell.
A gathering of friends and family will be held at Jerome Christian Church on Monday, November 10, 2025, from 2:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. at the time of Celebration.
City of Firsts Cremation and Funeral Services by Rose and Geiger was entrusted with the arrangements. www.cityoffirstscremations.com
Dollie Marie Duling
Dollie Marie Duling, 88, of Kokomo, passed away at 5:53 a.m. on Monday, November 3, 2025, at her home. She was born on January 18, 1937, the daughter of Harold Wesley and Mildred (Turner) Ennis. On March 21, 1971, she married Loren Eugene Duling in Peru, IN, and he preceded Dollie in death on May 19, 2005.
Dollie attended Peru High School and was a majorette with the high school band. She worked as a bookkeeper at several local businesses and credit unions. Her true passion was making quilts for her family and friends. Each quilt she made had a special meaning for each person, and she would hand-stitch a personal note and attach it to the quilt. Dollie was an active member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church where she volunteered, shared her strong faith, and was a prayer warrior. She enjoyed playing Euchre with friends at church. Dollie also loved celebrating special occasions with a special meal of Alaskan king crab legs, sent to her fresh from the boats. She enjoyed horseback riding and taking walks in the fresh snow with Loren.
She is survived by her children Dennis (Diane) Wray, Donald (Janice) Wray, David Wray, Pete (Rachael Carlson) Wray, and Debra Rahe; grandchildren Melissa Powell, Shannon Wray, Joshua Wray, Ethan (Tennille) Wray, Kraig (Mandy) Wray, Jessica Wray, Jason Wray, Amanda (Shaun) Kintner, Bryan Wray, Shane (Nancy) Douglas, Joshua Peter Wray, Ashlyn Nichole (Samuel) Kuehmichael, Zachariah (Amy) Rahe, and Cerrissiah (Michael) Buck; and several great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Nieces and nephews Karen (Chuck) Oldfather, Keith (Kim) Ennis, Donna (Keith) Zimmer, Michelle (Tim) Mort, Cathy (Steve) Dezelan, and Mark (JoAnn) Arseneau.
Along with Dollie’s husband Loren, she was preceded in death by her parents Harold and Mildred Ennis, siblings Patsy Ruth Berry, Donald Wesley Ennis, and Jane Ellen Traggesser, and two beloved dogs, Sugar and Bear.
The family would like to thank Mae, Rita, and Irma for taking very good care of their mother with their kindness and loving care for mom.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 1 p.m., Friday, November 14, 2025, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 3155 County Rd. S 200 W. Kokomo with Rev. Fr. Chris Shocklee the celebrant. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 11 a.m. until the time of the Mass at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kokomo Humane Society, www.kokomohumane.org/donate, and Pals for Paws, www.palsforpawsinc.com. Shirley & Stout Funeral Homes & Crematory has been entrusted with Dollie’s arrangements. Messages of condolences may be left at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Wanda Walker
Wanda Walker went into the arms of our Lord and Savior on October 30, 2025.
Wanda was born to Chet and Diane Walker in Colorado Springs. After their move to Oak Creek, WI, Wanda was joined by the births of her brother Kim and sister Pam. Wanda met her future husband Dave before graduating from Oak Creek High School. After Dave graduated from college, Wanda and Dave married on August 2, 1980. They traveled to Germany for their honeymoon.
Wanda became a stay-at-home mother when her son William was born. William soon had a baby sister Diana. Her life was challenged when her husband’s company transferred him to the Kokomo facility. She left her Milwaukee friends and family to move to Kokomo.
Once William and Diana were in school, Wanda became a cafeteria cook. She only recently retired from Howard Elementary after more than 20 years. Wanda supported her daughter’s love of gymnastics as well as her children’s Northwestern High School marching band. She was a pit crew Mom! She travelled to Los Angeles and later Dallas to support her children’s Northwestern High School Robotics’ international competitions.
Wanda also contributed to our community. She shared her gift of growing bonsai trees with three clubs: the Bonsai Club of Lafayette (which she helped establish in 1994), the Fort Wayne Bonsai Club, and the Michiana Bonsai Study. She had only recently retired from the West Lafayette Global Fest, where she displayed her bonsai trees. Wanda was also secretary for the Kokomo Friends of the Library. She was an actress for the Kokomo Historic Society’s Seiberling Wedding Reenactment, where she performed in 1893 period costume. Additionally, to express her faith in God, Wanda taught religious education for 20 years at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church.
Wanda loved to travel. Among her journeys, she witnessed solar eclipses in Winnipeg and La Paz, Mexico, in Kentucky and Indianapolis. She visited 45 states, many times camping. Wanda invited family on her journeys which enriched our experiences. Family was everything to Wanda.
While in Europe, Wanda fell in love with the swans swimming in Lake Constance. That love was amplified with the porcelain swans in King Ludwig’s castle. This love is reflected in her swan collection. Around this time, Wanda began crocheting afghan blankets for family members. Later, she was able to donate some of her artistic work.
Wanda will leave a void in our lives, yet we are so enriched with the experience of her love.
A public visitation for Wanda will be held Friday, November 14, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Ellers Mortuary and Cremation Center, 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo, IN 46902. Wanda will be laid to rest in Bayside Cemetery, in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. There will also be a visitation in Wisconsin at Forbes Funeral Home, 319 W. Spruce St. on November 21, 2025, from 11:00AM until 1:00 PM, the time of her funeral service.
Bruce Anthony LaFleur
Bruce Anthony LaFleur, age 60, passed away on October 30, 2025. He was born on March 4, 1965, in Detroit, Michigan, the youngest son of Ronald Edward and Agnes (Kolb) LaFleur.
The family moved to Indiana shortly after his birth. Bruce played a little football for the PAL (Police Athletic League) in his youth. He graduated from Haworth High School in 1983. After graduation he joined the Air Force Reserve, there he became a certified aircraft machinist and welder. Bruce also worked for Big “R” and Newby’s Lawn Service before going to work at Chrysler Corporation, utilizing his skills in the production area. Bruce served during the Gulf War in the early 1990s and is a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign War Post #1152 in Kokomo, Indiana. He also served with the Army Reserve.
Bruce enjoyed the automobiles that he owned and kept them in pristine condition. His 2010 Dodge challenger was his favorite.
Bruce is survived by his brothers Michael G. LaFleur and Alan E. (Joanne) LaFleur; niece Mary LaFleur (Jacob) Miklusak and their son Lucas; niece Jessica Martinez (Tyler) Hough and their daughters Sloan and Pruitt; and nephew John N. LaFleur.
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents and sister Rochelle Margaret LaFleur.
Memorial Contributions may be made in Bruce’s memory to the Veterans of Foreign War Post #1152 Military Rites Team.
A Memorial Gathering for Bruce will take place on Friday, November 14, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. until the start of his Memorial service at 1:00 p.m. at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home, 2097 W. Alto Road, Kokomo, Indiana. Inurnment will follow at Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery.
Gary Wayne Bowman
Gary Wayne Bowman, 80, Kokomo, passed away at 11:30 a.m. Monday, November 3, 2025, at Aperion Healthcare in Kokomo. He was born on August 30, 1945, in Kokomo, the son of the late Todd & Alice (McAninch) Bowman.
Gary worked for Midwest Plating in Kokomo until it closed. A man of many interests and talents, Gary loved landscaping and mowing yards, often helping others in need. He was a dedicated member of In His Image Church, where he found spiritual solace and community. Gary’s presence will be deeply missed, but his legacy of kindness and community spirit will live on through those who knew and loved him. He was a cherished member of the community and a devoted father, brother, and friend.
Gary is survived by his daughter Brooke Bowman, sister Cathy Laird, a niece and nephew, daughter No. 2, Lynn Kohn; special friend Pam Kenner; and his beloved pet Sas.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents and sister Connie Simpson.
In keeping with his wishes, no services will be held. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with cremation.
Emerson Galen Deardorff
Emerson Galen Deardorff, 76, South Mud Lake, Indiana, passed away on November 1, 2025, at his residence.
Born October 19, 1949, in Kokomo, Indiana, he was the son of Ralph Richard and Agnes Fern (Markley) Deardorff.
Emerson graduated from Maconaquah High School and later retired from Chrysler Corporation in Kokomo. He was a United States Army veteran, having served in Viet Nam.
Survivors include his brothers John Deardorff of Bunker Hill, Mike Deardorff of Lafayette, and Kerry (Vicki) Deardorff of Mexico, as well as several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Kenneth Eugene and Richard Keith Deardorff, and one sister Janet Sue Layton.
In keeping with his wishes, no services will be held.
McClain Funeral Home, Denver, Indiana, has been entrusted with arrangements.
Phillip Deangelo White
Phillip Deangelo White, 29 years old, passed away unexpectedly at 5:48 p.m. Friday, October 31, 2025. He was born in Kokomo, IN, on February 9, 1996, the son of Phillip White and Keisha White.
Phillip was the most outgoing and free-hearted man. He would give the shirt off of his back to anybody in need. He had the best sense of humor, loved to joke with people, and liked spending time with his family. He was a sports fanatic and was an outstanding basketball player. He enjoyed dancing, listening to music, and rapping.
He is survived by his mom Keisha White; dad Phil White; siblings Ashley White, Julian White, Basheba Johnson, and Desmond White; grandparents Darlene Campbell, Carol Moody-Hill, James Hill, Phil White Jr., and Brenda White.
He was preceded in death by his grandpa Herman Beard, grandpa Terence Taylor, aunt Ja’mea Parker, and uncle Terrell Taylor.
Private family services will be held. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Shirley & Stout Funeral Home to assist with expenses. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.