Marcia Kay Grant, Rick A. Roberts, Geraldine “Gerry” Rush, Stacy Lynn Swearingen

Marcia Kay Grant

Marcia Kay Grant, 87, of Kokomo, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Kokomo, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born on March 24, 1939, in Kempton, Indiana, to James William and Esther Mae (Pfaff) Bitner. Marcia carried the values of faith, family, and kindness with her throughout her life, touching the hearts of all who knew her.

On February 3, 1962, she married the love of her life, Ronald Keith Grant, at Trinity United Methodist Church. Together, they built a family, shared memories, and an enduring love until his passing on September 28, 2006.

Marcia was a proud graduate of Kokomo High School’s Class of 1957. She dedicated many years of service to Syndicate Sales Inc., where she was a valued employee from 1981 until her retirement in 2002. Even in retirement, Marcia’s desire to serve others remained strong. She became a welcoming and caring presence as a hostess at Shirley & Stout Funeral Homes beginning in December 2005, where she brought comfort and kindness to countless families during difficult times.

Marcia was a devoted member of First Congregational Church of Kokomo. She found great joy in teaching Sunday School, sharing her faith and nurturing the spiritual growth of children. Her commitment to serving others extended into the community, where she volunteered with the Nearly New Shop, the Kokomo Rescue Mission, and Kokomo Urban Outreach. She was also an active participant in the WOF Bible Study group, where she formed lasting friendships rooted in faith and fellowship. Marcia brought smiles to family and friends with her delicious baked cookies.

She is lovingly survived by her sister Joy (Ron) Seliga; her children Michael Keith Grant and Karen Janae (Ken) Waisner; and her cherished grandchildren Kinsey Janae Waisner, Korrie Ann Waisner (Aaron Zook), Ryleigh Janae Grant, and Brady Michael Keith Grant. She also leaves behind her precious great-grandchildren Aaleigha Zook and Koulson Zook; her sister-in-law Susan Grant; special niece Gina Jones; special nephews Jeff Wunderlich and Chance Wunderlich; along with several beloved nieces and nephews who held a dear place in her heart.

Marcia was preceded in death by her beloved husband Ronald; her parents James and Esther Bitner; her brother Jim Bitner; her sister Janet Farmer; sister-in-law Becky Bitner; and brothers-in-law Wayne (Joan) Grant, James Grant, and David Grant.

A funeral service celebrating Marcia’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 29, 2026, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo, with Pastor Jon Tice officiating. Entombment will follow in Sunset Memory Gardens Mausoleum. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Marcia’s honor to First Congregational Church or Kokomo Urban Outreach. Messages of condolence may be shared online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Rick A. Roberts

Rick A. Roberts, 78, of Elkhart, passed away on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at home with his family. Rick was born in Hollywood, CA, on August 15, 1947. His parents are the late Frederick and Collene (Woodward) Roberts. On April 16, 1994, he married the former Brenda Kay Nellist, and she survives him.

Rick graduated from Kokomo High School and later earned his Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in education from IUSB. Rick began his career in education teaching Physics at Clay High School. Rick was a Student Council advisor for many years, a building representative for the teachers’ union, and a member of the bargaining committee. Some of his best memories involve Mid-Winter Dances, Canned Food Drives, and trips to Great America with his physics students. Rick loved teaching his students about science, and the Windchime lab was always a great time of year for him. Rick was very close to his colleagues at Clay and considered them family. Rick was also the secular teacher of physics, chemistry, biology, and health at The Yeshiva of South Bend, teaching there for 20 years. Rick spent his summers as part of the Teachers as Scholars program and the Research Experience of Teachers (RET), a National Science Foundation Program through the University of Notre Dame. For one of his RET projects, he engineered and fabricated a movable support stand for the 1000 lbs. accelerator shell. He spent several summers at the Notre Dame Nuclear Structure Laboratory as a visiting scholar, funded by the National Science Foundation. Rick learned to operate the nuclear accelerators and participated in basic experiments. He was instrumental in creating a partnership between Notre Dame and Clay High School for Independent Study students who later participated and placed in the National Science Fair in Texas. Prior to becoming a teacher, Rick worked as a Millwright for International Harvester in Melrose Park, IL; as Plant Manager of Shower-Rite Corporation; as the design and production engineer for Tern Industries; and as Master Mechanic for Carpenter Company.

Rick was an avid Notre Dame fan and enjoyed taking his grandsons to the Notre Dame football and basketball games every year, as well as the Christmas-time Glee Club concerts.

He enjoyed all things scientific, loved reading history, and took many trips with his wife and family to museums of all kinds, to Civil War-era historic sites, and historic presidential homes. Some of his most memorable vacations were taking his family to Disney and introducing his wife to the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, which houses the world’s largest collection of Tiffany glass. Rick enjoyed building things and was happiest when he was working on a project or two. He loved family dinners and believed it was important to make as many good memories as possible, share good times with those he loved, and take lots of pictures. He was a wonderful role model for his grandsons, instilling a fine work ethic and teaching them that they can do anything they set their mind to.

Rick is survived by Brenda, his wife of 32 years; stepson John David Nellist; grandsons Quentin Nellist and Ian-David Nellist; daughter Ricqué Roberts (Kevin) Adkinson of Sharpsville; grandsons Dylan Davis of Sharpsville and Dalton (Justina) Davis of Terre Haute; and great-granddaughter Berkeley Anne Boruff. He was preceded in death by his parents; his son Jonathan Roberts; and his granddaughter Darian Davis. Rick is also survived by brothers-in-law Howard (Cathern) Nellist of Goshen, William (Catherine) Nellist of Rockville, MD, and Lawrence (Lori) Nellist of Dowelltown, TN; a niece Fiona Nellist of Chicago; and two nephews Bradley (Katie) Nellist of Greenwood and Michael (Ashley) Nellist of Pioneer, OH, and their children Anthony, Charlotte, and Tristan; as well as a stepfather-in law, Gerry Hampel of Goshen.

Rick was an active member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. He was an Usher and a 3rd degree Knight belonging to St. Jude Council 1043.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM on Wednesday, July 1, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1331 N. Main Street, Elkhart, with visitation beginning at 10 AM.

A luncheon will follow the mass. Graveside services and burial in Adamsville Cemetery, Adamsville, MI., will follow. Friends may visit with the family from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, 2026, with a Rosary at 6:30 p.m., at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart.

The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff at Elara Caring Hospice for their presence, compassion, and care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to New Frontiers in Dowelltown, TN, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Geraldine “Gerry” Rush

Geraldine “Gerry” Rush, 91, Kokomo, passed away at 9:52 a.m. Monday, June 22, 2026. She was born May 8, 1935, in Logansport, IN, to Willam and Nellie (Beeler) Gordon. On March 2, 1957, she married the love of her life Charles Thomas “Tom” Rush, and they shared 69 years of marriage.

Gerry was a Logansport High School graduate and worked for Delco Electronics, retiring in 1997 with 31½ years of service. After retiring, she volunteered at the Indiana University Kokomo Art Gallery. Later, she was a volunteer at Howard Community Hospital and then worked in the hospital gift shop for several years. Family was the focus of her life, from playing euchre and many other games to annual family Christmas shopping trips. In addition to spending time with her family, Gerry enjoyed traveling and attending plays, musical theatre, and was an avid golfer.

She is survived by her loving husband Tom Rush; children Cindy (Dave) Rush, Duke (Lorri) Rush, and Theresa (Trent) Caldwell; grandchildren Adrienne (Joey) Duepner, Andrew (Sonia) Rush, Emily Rush, Sarah Rush, and Taylor Caldwell; great-grandchildren Dylan Duepner, Ty Duepner, and Amelia Rush; as well as bonus grandchildren Vinh and Teng Lee.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters; and four brothers.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1204 N. Armstrong St, Kokomo with Rev. Fr. Peter Vanderkolk the celebrant. Burial will follow in Ever Rest Memorial Park in Logansport. Friends may visit with the family from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at the church. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Stacy Lynn Swearingen

Stacy Lynn Swearingen was born on February 22, 1985, and passed away on June 23, 2026. She is under the care of Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home & Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on July 4, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home, 2097 West Alto Road, Kokomo, IN.

A Funeral Service will be held on July 4, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home, 2097 West Alto Road, Kokomo, IN.