Billy Lee Ayres, Jerry W. Prince, Harold James Hoepner, Earl Marion Thomas Jr.

Billy Lee Ayres

Billy Lee Ayres, 93, of rural Tipton County, died Friday evening, January 2, 2026, with his loving family by his side. He was born in Kosciusko County, Indiana, on February 19, 1932, to Edward and Ruth (Metzger) Ayres. He married Clara Belle Garten on December 28, 1996, and she survives.

Billy was a lifelong farmer, well known to everyone. He was very active in numerous organizations, which include Murat Shriners, 32nd degree Mason Scottish Rite in Indianapolis, Austin Masonic Lodge 128 in Tipton, and he along with his wife belong to the Order of Eastern Star 541 in Cicero. He also was a life member of the Tipton Elks, a member of the Tipton Moose Lodge and the Jesters. Billy enjoyed participating with the Indianapolis Horse Patrol as they paraded in numerous communities over the years. He was most at home with his church family at East Union Christian Church.

Survivors include his wife Clara and children Virginia Reid (Bob), Nancy Jaggi (Tod), Billy Ayres (Kim), Rick Hatcher (Brenda), Lorrie Neal (Gary), Kenneth Newcom (Cherie), Steve Newcom, Tom Newcom (Anita), Jeff Newcom (Kim), and Randy Newcom (Teri).

His loving grandchildren include Kristen Kanazeh, Brett Reid, Natalie Anderson, Jennifer Petta, Tod Jaggi, Brook Leiter, Blake Ayres, Bradley Davenport, Angie Davenport, Merilee Ripberger, Jennifer Krause, Matt Newcom, Stepanie Marcos, Scott Newcom, Jeffrey Newcom, Doug Newcom, Jason Newcom, Mandy Larson, Chad Newcom, Craig Newcom, Clint Newcom, Sara Beth Murphy, Emily Hill, Patrick Hatcher, Katelin Zaragocas, Allison Wolthuis, Jordan Hill, and Laryn Nichols. Billy was also blessed with several great- and great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his seven siblings Ruby Montel, Edna Malloy, Dick Sellers, Arden Ayres, Louise Plummer, Mary Tridel, and Isabelle Deafenbaugh. Also preceding him in death are his daughter Kay Davenport and daughter-in-law Jill Newcom.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 8. at 11:00 a.m. at the East Union Christian Church with Rev. Mark Knapp presiding. A family graveside burial will follow at Union Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday, January 7, from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the church and also Thursday morning at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service. The Elks will conduct a memorial service at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday evening, as well as the Masons conducting a memorial at 7:30 p.m., followed by an Eastern Star service.

In lieu of flowers the family would like memorial donations made to Shriners Pediatric Burn Care 1, Children’s Plaza 2 West, Dayton, OH, 45404, Children’s Wish Indiana, 7212 North Shadeland Avenue, Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN, 46250, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.

Young-Nichols Funeral Home is honored to assist the Ayres family during their time of need. Online condolences may be made at: www.young-nichols.com.

Jerry W. Prince

Jerry W. Prince, age 66, of rural New Ross, passed away unexpectedly in his home at 3:20 PM Friday, January 2, 2026, as the result of a massive cardiac event. Jerry was born in Kokomo January 6, 1959, son of the late Johnnie and Alice Smith Prince. He married Robin ‘Marge’ Stevens in Terre Haute May 3, 1981, and she survives.

Jerry was raised in the Russiaville community and was a graduate of Western High School near Russiaville. He went on to graduate from Indiana State University with a degree in Radio, TV & Film and a minor in business administration. While attending ISU, he was a member and active in Pi Lambda Phi fraternity.

He began his career in Terre Haute with TV station WTWO as a video production manager. He then moved to WHMB Channel 40 in Indianapolis and was involved with Dr. Lester Sumrall’s ministry. Later, Jerry launched his own business as a Video Production Management Company, where he worked with PBS, created video commercials, and documented hundreds of weddings and special events, which he continued to do part-time until his death.

He was a member of Rock Point Church and was a member of the “tech team.” He was a great singer and enjoyed sing with the Crawfordsville Community Chorus. Video work was not only his vocation but also his avocation.

Surviving along with his wife Marge are a son David Chadwick Keith of Crawfordsville, a sister Sheila (Brad) Swain of Kokomo, grandchildren Taylor (John) Natale, Nicholas (Meagan) George & Robert Lucas George, and sister-in-law Brenda Stevens of rural Waynetown. Five great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Christina, grandson David Shane Keith, sister Debra and husband Don Dover, and brother-in-law Greg Stevens.

Visitation hours are 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Thursday, January 8, 2026, with funeral services following at 1:00 PM with his brother-n-law Pastor Brad Swain officiating, at Family and Friends Funeral Home of Wingate. Interment/graveside service will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery, Crawfordsville. Memorial contributions are preferred to Rock Point Church. Visit us online at www.familyandfriendsfh.com to sign the guest book or share a memory.

Harold James Hoepner

Harold James Hoepner, a resident of Westfield, Indiana, passed away on January 1, 2026, at the age of 80. Born on May 4, 1945, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Harold was a hard-working and kind-hearted individual who touched the lives of many.

Harold served in the U.S Air Force and later retired from General Motors after 32 years of dedicated service. On April 26, 1991, he married Delinda McLamb, with whom he shared a loving and fulfilling life.

Harold had a passion for golfing, especially in Myrtle Beach, and was an enthusiastic supporter of IU and the Green Bay Packers. He enjoyed selling antiques at Treasure Mart and cherished watching his grandchildren play sports. Gardening and tending to flowers were among his favorite pastimes, as was spending time at the beach.

He is survived by his beloved wife Delinda Hoepner and his children Amanda Canady (Andy), Andrea Hoepner, Brian (Lan Kwe) Hoepner, Matthew Hoepner (Melissa), Dwayne Johnson (Debbie), Madonna Johnson, and Misty Johnson. He also leaves behind cherished grandchildren Jordan Johnson, Jensen Pickett, Nick Canady, Tawny King, Nolan Canady, Zack Gurske, Morgan Jeffries, Jack Hoepner, Owen Hoepner, and Wesley Hoepner, as well as great-grandchildren Lilly Wiedenhoeft, Wyatt Wiedenhoeft, Hunter Pickett, Katherine Pickett, Gideon Jeffries, and Darren Johnson. His brother Dick Hoepner (Betty), sister-in-law Kathy Hoepner, brother-in-law Gene Gulan, his first wife and mother of his children Lynn Ohlemacher, special nephew Christopher McLamb, and furry companion Benji also survive him.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents John and Tillie (Grossel) Hoepner, his sister Kay Gulan, his brother Thomas Hoepner, and his granddaughter Tina Gabbard.

Visitation will be held on January 10, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home & Cemetery, located at 2097 West Alto Road, Kokomo, Indiana. The funeral service will follow at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Humane Society for Hamilton County.

Harold will be remembered for his kindness, dedication, and the love he shared with family and friends.

Earl Marion Thomas Jr.

Earl Marion Thomas Jr. joined his bride, Deletha “Dee” Johnston (1938-2015) on December 30, 2025, in Tipton, Indiana. Earl was born April 1, 1935, in Washington, DC, to Earl and Bettie (Zinsmeister) Thomas, and moved to Indiana in 1943. He graduated from Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis. After high school, he joined the Army National Guard 38th Infantry Division, Artillery unit. While on training at Fort Sill in Oklahoma, he met his bride Dee, and they married in Dec. 1957. They lived in Indianapolis and Kokomo and built their home in Tipton County. They were blessed with four children, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

In 1955, Earl started working at the Allison Division in Indianapolis and later transferred to Kokomo to work in the Delco Electronics (General Motors) Division in the drafting division, retiring in 1997. After retirement Earl and Dee enjoyed time with the family and traveled across the United States and abroad.

Outside of work, Earl was very active in the community. He was a member of the Goldsmith UMC until it closed, and then attended Tetersburg Christian Church and Kemp UMC, Tipton. He attended Indiana University of Kokomo. Earl was an active member of the Lions Club since 1991, holding several officers’ positions. He was named a Lions Melvin Jones Fellow for 1996-1997.

He was also involved with the Tipton County Historical Society, Tetersburg Cemetery Board, Tipton County Recycling, a precinct committee member for several years, and supported the Kempton Volunteer Fire Department and the Tipton County Humane Society.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents Earl Thomas and Bettie (Zinsmeister) Thomas, his wife Deletha “Dee” Thomas, and their son Eric Thomas.

He is survived by his three daughters Debra Thomas Barker and husband Cary, Indianapolis, Diane Thomas Speer and husband Doug, Tipton, and Deletha Thomas Boyd and husband Michael, Chandler, Arizona; his grandchildren Charles Sullivan IV, Erinn Sullivan, Rachel Speer, Ryan Speer and wife Kelli, Samantha Boyd, and Andrew Boyd; and his great-grandchildren Athena Gendren, Ares Gendren, and Apollo Gendren; his sister Betty Jo Watson, Greenfield, and brother Clyde Thomas and wife Jacque, Eugene, Oregon; brother-in-law Melvin Johnston, Fargo, Oklahoma, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is also survived by his Danish daughter Mia Hansen Andersen, her husband Rene, and her family.

Private funeral services will be held for the family later, and Earl will be buried in Tetersburg Cemetery beside Dee and Eric. Young-Nichols Funeral Home is honored to assist the Thomas family at this time. Online condolences may be left on Earl’s obituary page at www.young-nichols.com.

Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, can be made to the Tipton Historical Society, 323 West South Street, Tipton, Indiana, 46072 or at https://tiptonhistorical.com/donate/) and the Tetersburg Cemetery Board, C/O Julie Miller, 6928 W. State Road 28, Tipton, Indiana, 46072.