Barrita “Susie” Holverson, Toni Lynnette Dowden, Laura Louise (Bock) Applegate
Barrita “Susie” Holverson
Barrita “Susie” Holverson, 75, a woman whose presence offered joy and laughter to those who loved her, passed away at 7:33 p.m. on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Brickyard Healthcare of Kokomo.
Born July 28, 1950, in Logansport, Susie was the daughter of Henry B. and Faye E. (Turnpaugh) Holverson.
Susie was a 1969 graduate of the Indiana School for the Blind. Though blind, she lived with remarkable independence. She worked as a transcriptionist at St. Joseph Hospital for over 26 years, faithfully serving patients and staff with excellence and care.
A gifted musician, Susie was a longtime member of Anoka Community Church, where she served as pianist, worship leader, and music coordinator. She loved music and shared that love generously, participating in the Christmas Cantata for many years, playing with the Indiana Symphony Orchestra, and even writing the school song for the Indiana School for the Blind, a piece with a remarkable story behind it.
In 1969, as a graduating senior, Susie entered a contest to create an alma mater for the school. Only 10 minutes before the deadline, she discovered that her original submission was too short. With her quick thinking and creativity, she composed an additional verse on the spot. Her entry won the contest, earning her an award, and the song she created went on to become a cherished tradition. Its melody has echoed from the school’s tower chimes, and its words have been sung by generations of students and alumni—honoring the spirit and legacy of the Indiana School for the Blind to this day.
In her spare time, Susie enjoyed crocheting, knitting, and making others laugh with her quick wit and playful jokes. She had a way of turning small, everyday moments into something warm and memorable. Her joyful spirit and deep faith in Christ blessed everyone who knew her.
Susie is survived by her loving family of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many dear friends who will miss her voice, her humor, and the warmth she brought to their lives.
Susie was preceded in death by her parents Henry and Faye Holverson; and siblings Ann (George) Dowden, Dorothy Cowan, Beverly Holverson, and Donald Holverson. We rejoice that she is now reunited with them in the presence of her Savior.
A funeral service celebrating Susie’s life will be held on Monday, December 15, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Anoka Community Church, 4890 E, County Road 300 S, Logansport, IN. Burial will follow at Walton IOOF Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church.
Shirley & Stout Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Indiana School for the Blind and Anoka Community Church. Messages of condolence may be left at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Toni Lynnette Dowden
Toni Lynnette Dowden, 65, of Kokomo, passed away Tuesday, December 9, 2025, unexpectedly. She was born May 8, 1960, in Kokomo to Lewis C. and Marleene S. (Pasley) Dowden.
She worked for AT& T for several years and had her own cleaning business with her best friend Darlene Ford. She was a very gifted musician and singer, teaching herself to play guitar. She was also an avid Indianapolis Colts fan.
She is survived by her sisters Joni (Wayne) Smith and Helen (Scott) Rouch and her sister-in-law Christina Dowden; many nieces and nephews Michael (Nanny) Smith, Bradley (Clair) Dowden, Alexandra (Jordan) Shadday, Nathaniel (Shelby) Dowden, Jacob (Aly) Rouch, and Felicity (Brett) Gordon; and her great nieces and nephews Ellie, Lucy, Logan, Jojo, Johnathan, Owen, Jackson, Jameson, Maverick, Oriah, and Morrigan. She is also survived by her dearest friend Darlene Ford and daughter Jamie Dupay, cherished friends Joyce and Rick Koepke, and her beloved puppy Zoey. She is proceeded in death by her parents and grandparents and her brother Frederick Dowden as well as her beloved dogs Franklin and Eddie.
A celebration of her life will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 18, 2025, at Murray Weaver Funeral Home in Galveston with Pastor Chad Chamness officiating.
Visitation will be held prior to services from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be given to New Life Church or the Humane Society.
Murray Weaver Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. www.murrayweaverfuneralhome.com
Laura Louise (Bock) Applegate
Laura Louise (Bock) Applegate, 87, of Peru, passed away into the arms of Jesus on December 5, 2025, in Kokomo. She was born April 21, 1938, in Detroit, Michigan.
Laura was a waitress at the Red Coach Inn in Peru, where she was affectionately given the nickname Twiggy. Later she went to work for Alear in Peru where she worked for 40 years before retiring. Laura loved country and gospel music, and she was well known for always having her radio on. She enjoyed dancing crocheting and crafting. She loved watching Family Feud and Days of our Lives. She took great joy in cooking for her family, making sure they had their favorite dishes on their special days.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 67 years Larry J Applegate, and her siblings Jessye Woodward, Thelma Valenski, and Raymond Bock.
Surviving are: her daughters Pamela (Roger) Coleman of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, Ruth Harding and Brenda Bean, both of Peru, and Sandi Speer of Phoenix, Arizona; 13 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren, her brother Conrad (Pearl) Bock of Warren, Michigan; sister-in-law Saundra Applegate of Kokomo; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests preferred memorials be made to Peru Animal Care and Control in Peru.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.FlowersLeedyAllen.com.