Charles N. “Chuck” DeVore, Stephen “Hero” Heronemus, Patricia Mary Harvath (Hamilton), Nancy (Parenteau) Stridde, Colonel Jimmie Doyle Gray

Charles N. “Chuck” DeVore

Charles N. “Chuck” DeVore, 66, passed away on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Community Howard Regional Health in Kokomo after a sudden illness.

He was born on January 28, 1960, in Elwood to James “Jim” and Darlene “Dolly” Ritter Devore. He lived in Kokomo since 2002, having lived in Elwood and Orestes prior to that. Chuck attended Alexandria-Monroe High School with the class of 1978. Chuck was a skilled auto mechanic and had worked at Main Street Auto in Elwood for several years. He most recently worked at Adams Auto Group in Kokomo prior to his retirement last year. Chuck was a fan of NASCAR as he followed Kyle Busch as his driver and the Indianapolis Colts. One his greatest pleasures was riding his Harley-Davidson for “wind therapy.” From April to October, you could find Chuck and Jeana at Lukens Lake Resort in Roann, camping, enjoying the pontoon boat and swimming. He also enjoyed fishing, going to the casino and spending time with his family. Chuck will be warmly remembered as a loving father, papaw and spouse.

Surviving are: his wife, Jeana Willis DeVore, together for 25 years; three daughters Marie (Patrick) Fetz of Frankton, Juanita (Nick) Ellis of Swayzee, and Emily DeVore of Elwood; son, Joshua DeVore (April Lilly), of Elwood; 14 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother, Danny DeVore, of Elwood; one nephew; and one uncle.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Services honoring Chuck’s life and legacy will take place at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 4, 2026, in the Owens Funeral Home, 412 North Harrison Street, Alexandria, with Rev. Frank Ward officiating. Interment will follow in Forrestville Cemetery in Boone Township. The DeVore family will receive family and friends after 11 a.m. on Thursday, prior to the service at the Owens Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions in Chuck’s memory are suggested to Alzheimer’s Association with envelopes available at the funeral home.

Stephen “Hero” Heronemus

Stephen “Hero” Heronemus, 79, died on May 29 at Ascension St. Vincent in Kokomo after battling a long-term illness. Mr. Heronemus was born September 7, 1946, in Kokomo, the son of the late Richard W. and Gladys M. (Floyd) Heronemus. On April 19, 1969, in Kokomo, he married his wife of 57 years, Vivian E. (Bakken), and she survives.

He is survived by his children Michael (Heather) Heronemus of Erie, MI, and Lisa (John) Hess. Grandchildren include Christopher Heronemus, Patrick Hess, Shaylie (Caleb) Eads, Trevor Stucker; and “blood-brother” Roger (Glenda) Tudor. His parents and his sisters Mari Lynn and Patricia (Lyons) Hunt preceded him in death.

He attended Sharpsville-Prairie High School, then enlisted in the Army, where he was deployed to Germany and Vietnam. He was employed by Chrysler Corporation in Kokomo for 30 years.

Mr. Heronemus had a slew of hobbies, including playing softball for 25 years. He also was also skilled at shooting pool and playing golf. He umpired little league games at UCT Park. He was a 50- year member of Naphtali Masonic Lodge, Disabled American Veterans, and was a member of the UAW Local 685.

In the winter, he became a trapper throughout Cass, Howard, and Tipton counties. He learned how to tan furs, including deer. When trapping became too difficult, he began creating treasures with a scroll saw. He and his wife, together, were able to travel to all 50 states in the first 50 years of their marriage.

One of his biggest accomplishments fell during his time as captain of VFW Post 1152 Military Rites Team. Not only did he help make VFW Post 1152 one of the best in the state but also attended military rites funerals for 3,377 funerals; the most of anyone in Indiana.

Masonic Rites will be observed at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 7, 2026, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo. Friends may visit with the family following the Masonic Rites until 3:00 p.m. Sunday. A funeral service celebrating Hero’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, June 8, 2026, at the funeral home, beginning with a “Walk Through” by the Kokomo VFW 1152 Military Rites team, 40 & 8, and the American Legion. Burial will follow in Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery, with military honors provided by the Kokomo VFW 1152 Military Rites Team. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Hero’s memory to the Heronemus Scholarship. Mail contributions to Community Foundation of Howard County, 215 W. Sycamore St., Kokomo, IN 46901, or by visiting CFHoward.org. The scholarship will go to a child from family services, kindred, or the child of a veteran for higher education. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Patricia Mary Harvath (Hamilton)

Patricia Mary Harvath (Hamilton), 90, of Kokomo, passed away Monday, June 1, 2026, while surrounded by her loving husband and family. She was born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 27, 1935, the daughter of the late James and Helen Hamilton. On December 7, 1957, after a five-year courtship, she married Richard “Dick” Harvath, who survives.

Pat grew up in Chicago, attending Catholic schools through high school, and then raised a family in Thornton, IL, before moving to Kokomo in 1998. She was a homemaker and later an administrative professional at Howe Development Center and Union Carbide. She was active in the PTA and was on the school board in Thornton. After retiring to Kokomo to be near family, Pat and Dick spent many hours walking and hanging out at the Markland Mall with friends, lunching at local restaurants, and enjoying every possible moment with their seven grandchildren, who were the greatest joy in her life. Pat also spent many hours crocheting afghans for her family and friends.

In addition to her husband, Dick, Pat is survived by her children Alan (Marie) Harvath of Greentown, Laureen (Bruce) Welikson of Ballwin, MO, and Glenn (Lisa) Harvath of Munster, IN; grandchildren Jessica (Jesse Reiners) Welikson, Michael (Kim Mac Kay) Harvath, Blake (Danielle) Welikson, Erin (Alan Trinh) Harvath, Emily (Anthony) Harvath Gray, Emma Harvath, and Eric Harvath; and great-granddaughter Liliana Welikson.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Arlene Hamilton.

Friends are invited to a visitation on Sunday, June 7, 2026, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Shirley and Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Road. Services will be 11 a.m. on Monday, June 8, 2026, Shirley and Stout Funeral Home, with interment at Albright Cemetery immediately following the service. The family requests donations to Relay for Life in Pat’s memory. Messages of condolence may be left at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Nancy (Parenteau) Stridde

Nancy (Parenteau) Stridde passed away peacefully and went to be with the Lord on May 30, 2026.

She is survived by her husband, Charles (”Chuck”) Stridde, and their three children: David (Lisa) Stridde of Knoxville, TN; Cathy (Joe) Barnes; and Marc (Lori) Stridde of Indianapolis, IN. Nancy cherished her grandchildren Jordan (Abby) Stridde, Morgan (Scott) Holm, Tyler (Amy) Stridde, Carly Barnes, Jon Barnes, Nicholas Jakubs, and Alex Jakubs and her eight beautiful great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Marc Parenteau (Yvonne) of Peoria, AZ; sisters Ione Brooks of Mesa, AZ, and Mary Lou (Lamont) Deaver of Ocean Isle, NC; and many treasured nieces and nephews across the United States.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents A.J. and Della Parenteau; her brother Aurel (Gloria) Parenteau; sisters Jeanne (Earl) Gramer and Betty (Patrick) Howe; sister-in-law Connie Parenteau; and brother-in-law Jack Brooks.

Nancy was born in Crookston, Minnesota, and grew up in nearby Brooks, where her father owned a cheese factory. She graduated as salutatorian from St. Joseph’s Academy in Crookston in 1958 and later attended Marquette University in Milwaukee. Following college, she joined AC Spark Plug, a division of General Motors, where she met her husband, Chuck. Her beauty and poise earned recognition through nominations for AC Spark Plug Queen and the Miss Milwaukee competition.

Nancy and Chuck were married on July 8, 1961, in Cudahy, Wisconsin. After Chuck’s transfer to Delco Electronics, they settled in Kokomo, Indiana, where they raised their three children and spent 27 years building a life centered on faith, family, and service.

Nancy was actively involved in St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church and School, serving on numerous committees and volunteering extensively. She was also active in Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and served as president of the Kokomo Jaycee Wives. While continuing her secretarial career, she was recognized as Manpower Secretary of the Year in 1984.

Additional moves took Nancy and Chuck to Detroit, Michigan, and Nashville, Tennessee, before retiring to Tellico Village outside of Knoxville, Tennessee. There, Nancy remained devoted to volunteer work through the American Cancer Society, Race for the Cure, Relay for Life, and St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.

In retirement, Nancy and Chuck enjoyed traveling the country in their motor home, visiting family and friends and creating lasting memories together.

Nancy will be remembered for her beautiful smile, bubbly personality, great sense of humor, unwavering faith, and deep love of family and friends. She loved keeping both the Parenteau and Stridde families connected by maintaining family directories, sharing updates, and helping loved ones celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and milestones throughout the year.

Nancy’s memory will continue to bring a smile to all who knew her, and she will be greatly missed.

The family will receive friends on Friday, June 12, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1580 St. Thomas Way, Lenoir City, TN 37772 from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. A funeral mass will start at 11:00 a.m. with committal to follow. A reception will be held after the committal. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church at www.sthomaslc.com/. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rosefuneraltn.com

Colonel Jimmie Doyle Gray

Colonel Jimmie Doyle Gray passed away peacefully in his sleep on 5/31/26 at the age of 89 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Jim was the first child of Bill and Onolee Gray and was born on March 22, 1937, in Coalgood, Kentucky, in the Mary Helen coal mining camp in Harlan County, Kentucky. At a young age, he and his family moved to Kokomo, Indiana, where he graduated from Kokomo High School. He met the love of his life and future wife, Beverly, while studying at Ball State University, where he earned his undergraduate degree in English. He later earned his master’s degree in education at the University of Southern California while living in Germany. He and Beverly were married in 1959. They raised four children together while living in the U.S., Germany, and England. They eventually settled in Sherwood, Arkansas, where they lived for more than 30 years.

Jim served as an Air Force officer for almost 27 years, evaluating the safety of nuclear weapons systems in the U.S. and Europe. He achieved the rank of Colonel while stationed at Jacksonville Air Force Base in Arkansas and went on to become Vice-Commander of the Titan II ICBM missile wing. His favorite part of his career was teaching. He taught ROTC for four years at Miami of Ohio in Oxford, Ohio, and taught psychology for 15 years at North Little Rock High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. After his retirement, he focused on writing books about his childhood growing up in Kentucky and Indiana. He also volunteered at the Jacksonville Museum of Military History in Jacksonville, Arkansas.

Jim will be remembered as an avid runner. He also enjoyed playing golf with his friends and family. He had a passion for birdwatching which he shared with his family. Another one of his passions was traveling. He traveled extensively around the U.S. and Europe and also visited Japan and New Zealand. He had a sweet spot for honey and loved trying different varieties from all around the world. His last big trip was back to Germany to visit all the places he had been stationed while serving in the Air Force.

Jim is preceded into death by his wife, Beverly, and two of his siblings, Dewayne Gray and Glenda Cutler. He is survived by his brother Randy Gray of Elwood, Indiana, his sons Steve and Shawn Gray, his daughters Cindy Gray and Anna Stengel, Steve’s wife Thu Gray, and Anna’s husband Mike Stengel. Jimmie was especially proud of his grandchildren: Michelle Gray and her husband, Daniele Sportillo; Philippe Gray and his wife, Mirna; Andrew Stengel and his wife, Katie; and Gray Stengel and his wife, Valeria. He adored his great-granddaughter, Nora Gray Sportillo.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity in his name.

A celebration of his life will take place on Saturday, June 13, at 10:30 a.m. at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home in Fayetteville, Arkansas.