Rev. Herman Edwin Gorham, Deborah Jean Baxter, Emma Lou Lowe, Robert “Bob” Terry Boles, Sandra Elaine McElheny

Rev. Herman Edwin Gorham

Rev. Herman Edwin Gorham, 88, Kokomo, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, November 21, 2025, at 7:29 a.m., surrounded by his family. He was born on September 17, 1937, in Greencastle, IN, to Thomas and Marie (Hill) Gorham. On June 25, 1960, he married Carolyn Porter, and they enjoyed 65 years of marriage before his passing.

Herman dedicated his life to the ministry of Jesus Christ, pastoring a total of 53 years between Kokomo, IN, and Seymour, IN. He will be remembered for his giving, compassionate nature, and he never met a stranger. Herman took pride in caring for his lawn and landscaping. He also cherished meeting daily with his friends for coffee. Most of all, Pastor Herman deeply loved his family and valued time spent with all of them.

He is survived by his loving wife Carolyn Gorham; children Pamela (Robert) Eads and David (Jeni) Gorham; grandchildren Derek (Hannah) Sage, Sara (Brandon) Sampson, Alana (Cody) Thompson, Jonathan Gorham, and Jackson Taylor; nine great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, five sisters, and eight brothers.

Services celebrating Rev. Herman’s homegoing will be at 11:00 a.m. Sunday, November 30, 2025, at Victory Church of God, 2216 E, 100 N, Kokomo, IN. Burial will follow in South Union Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Saturday at the church. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made in Herman’s name to Victory Church of God. Messages of condolence may be left at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Deborah Jean Baxter

Deborah Jean Baxter, 72, of Converse, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Saturday November 22, 2025. She was born on May 16, 1953, in Hobbs, Indiana, to Frederick Martin and Ella Mae (Lewellen) Plummer. In July 1984, she married Michael Charles Baxter, the love of her life. They shared nearly four decades of marriage until Michael’s passing 11 days ahead of his beloved wife.

A faithful follower of Christ and member of Richland Chapel Church, Deb’s deep love for Jesus shone through in everything she did, touching countless lives with her steady faith and radiant spirit. She poured unwavering love into everyone around her, always offering gentle wisdom, generous hospitality, and a listening ear that made each person feel truly seen and valued.

Her greatest joys were her family and her beloved dog Lil Bit, whom she cherished and supported with all her heart. Colts football games were sacred occasions in her home, filled with enthusiasm and the warmth of shared moments.

Deb will be dearly missed and fondly remembered for her bright smile, signature red lipstick, delicious Cherry Jubilee, and the extraordinary way she made love feel both effortless and profound.

Left to carry on Deborah’s memory are her children Kimberly (Eddie Powe) Griffith of Peru, Indiana, Cory (Angela) Griffith of Tipton, and Andre (Stormy) Balser of Converse, Indiana; grandchildren, Morgan (James) Armstrong, Clarissa Powe, Zachary Griffith, Gage Cook, Havannah Balser, and Lilli Griffith; great-grandchildren Gianna Powe, Kolten, Madelyn, Raiden, and Evelyn Armstrong; her sister Rachel Miller of Windfall; her nephew Mike Miller of Greentown; and her beloved pup ‘Lil Bit.

The family will celebrate both Deborah and Michael’s lives at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 6, at Young-Nichols Funeral Home in Tipton. The family will receive friends also on that Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until time of the service. After the funeral, the family would like to invite friends and family to join them at West Street Christian Church to enjoy fellowship and share additional stories.

The staff of Young-Nichols extends condolences to the family and appreciation for their trust during this time. Online condolences may be made on both of their obituary pages at www.young-nichols.com

Emma Lou Lowe

Emma Lou Lowe, born November 4, 1938, in Kingsport, Tennessee, to Roxie (Peters) and George Nelms, passed peacefully on November 23, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. She was 87 years old, though she would insist she didn’t look a day over 70; and truthfully, she didn’t.

Emma Lou grew up in East Tennessee with her three sisters, two of whom welcomed her home again in Heaven. She graduated from Sullivan High School, carrying with her the down-to-earth charm and quiet strength that would come to define her life.

In the 1950s, she moved to Kokomo, Indiana, in search of work and opportunity, eventually retiring from Delco after a long and dedicated career. Her years there shaped her in enduring ways: dependable, sharp-witted, and quietly stubborn in all the right moments.

She spent 35 years with Jack Robert Lowe, raising children, creating a home, and sharing the kind of memories that only decades together can produce. Though their paths later diverged, their story lived on through the family they built.

Following the heartbreaking loss of her son David Lowe in 2001, Emma Lou relocated to Antioch, Tennessee, where she embraced a new chapter. She took great pride in her beautifully kept condominium — decorated to absolute perfection — and she loved traveling with her senior group in Murfreesboro. If there was a bus trip, a schedule, and a group of people laughing too loudly, Emma Lou was probably in the front seat with her purse zipped and ready to go.

Her greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her sons Jack “Rob” Lowe and Jim (Clark) Lowe; granddaughter Tierney Shepherd (Logan); and great-grandsons Carter Hurd, Kylar Hurd, Vincent Shepherd, and Lincoln Shepherd. She loved each of them fiercely, proudly, and sometimes with a little extra advice; wanted or not.

Emma Lou shared many cherished years of friendship with Donna Grantham and Lola Bowley, companions in countless conversations, outings, and everyday moments. She also cared for a long line of beloved pets who were treated, without question, like royalty.

Those who knew her will remember her kindness, humor, resilience, and unmistakable Emma-Lou-ness; a blend of grace, grit, and just enough sass to keep everyone on their toes.

We will forever miss her.

In keeping with Emma’s wishes, no services will be held. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with cremation. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Robert “Bob” Terry Boles

Robert “Bob” Terry Boles, 95 years old, of Kokomo, passed away Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Five Star Residences of Kokomo. He was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, on September 4, 1930, the son of the late Charles Lewis and Gladys Ruth (Minton) Boles. He married Lillian Irene (Cunningham) Murphy in 1995 in Fort Worth, Texas, and she preceded him in death on April 6, 2013.

Bob was a 1949 graduate of Northwestern High School in their first graduating class. He originally worked at Stellite in Kokomo before moving to Texas. He lived there for the past 40 years. He retired from Abbott as a production manager. Bob was a loving husband, dad, brother, and grandpa. He was super outgoing, very friendly, and never met a stranger. He was particular about being an organized man. His favorite hobbies were fishing, camping, and golfing. Bob will be remembered for being an intelligent and loving man.

He is survived by his children Gayle Smith of Kokomo, IN, Allen Boles of Florida, and Marc (Shannon) Boles of New York; stepchildren Jackie, Ron, and Barry; sister Bunny Perkins of Russiaville, IN; four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, seven great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; brothers Bud (Betty) Boles and Sid (Bennie) Boles; daughter Vickie Swing; brother-in-law Lee Perkins; and five nephews.

Burial will take place at Blue Bonnet Hills and Memorial Park Cemetery in Colleyville, Texas. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.stoutandson.com.

Sandra Elaine McElheny

Sandra Elaine McElheny, 79, of Peru, passed away on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at Lutheran Hospital of Indiana in Fort Wayne.

She was born on November 18, 1946, in Hillsdale, Michigan, to Jesse Devoid and Florence Virginia (Slocum) Jackson. On January 31, 1984, Sandra married Stephen “Steve” Jerry McElheny, and they shared 41 years of marriage before Steve’s passing on September 29, 2025. Sandra was a homemaker. She was a very sassy storyteller. She was described as being a fantastic grandma who thoroughly enjoyed spending “spa days” with her granddaughters.

Sandra is survived by her children: Katina Christy of Elwood, Indiana; Jerry (Denise) Carr of Kokomo, Indiana; Roger Carr of Peru, Indiana; Janice (Jerry) Leslie of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Cassie McElheny (husband Robert Tarbox) of New Hampshire; and Carrie (Chris) Munroe of North Carolina. Also surviving are several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, a brother Thomas (Kathy) Jackson of Osseo, Michigan, and sister Nancy (Earl) Arnold of Sandusky, Ohio.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Cycrus Christy, brother David Jackson, and sister Sharon Sanford.

A graveside service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.FlowersLeedyAllen.com.