Barbara Ann Sparks Dodd, Frank B. Johns, Ilene Lucille Waters, Gary Hotsinpiller Sr., Wanita Eilene Bowley, Frances Constance Knight

Barbara Ann Sparks Dodd

Barbara Ann Sparks Dodd, 91, Kokomo, passed away at 4:46 p.m. on Monday, July 20, 2026, at Wellbrooke of Kokomo. She was born in Miami County, Indiana, on October 25, 1934, the daughter of the late Thelma Mae (Hughes) and John Earl Jones Sr. In 1953, she married Jack Sparks, who preceded her in death in 1980. In 1990, she married Thomas Dodd, and he preceded her in death in 1998.

Barbara graduated from Kokomo High School in 1953. She was a long-time member of First Assembly of God in Kokomo. She loved the Lord and spending time reminiscing with her family and friends. In her young adult life, she enjoyed volunteering at her children’s school and was a Sunday School teacher and a Girl Scout leader. Barbara was a very loving mother and grandmother. She was and will continue to be loved and cherished by those who had the privilege of knowing her.

Barbara is survived by her children Jacqueline (John) Dodd, Valetta Sparks, and Charles (Susan) Sparks; brother John Earl Jones Jr.; grandchildren Jessica Whitlow, Jeffrey Dodd, Leilani Peleti, Elenoa Peleti-Cosley, Harley Lane, Payton Thomas, Jacob Sparks, Melissa Lowman, and Robert Wayer; and 25 great-grandchildren.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband Jack Sparks and her second husband Thomas Dodd.

Friends are invited to visit the family from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday, July 27, 2026, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo. A funeral service celebrating Barbara’s life will take place at 12 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home, with Rev. John Dodd officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Frank B. Johns

Frank B. Johns, 86, of Cambridge City, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on January 24, 1940, to his parents Jacob Johns & Dorotha (Sellars) Johns.

Frank graduated from Tipton High School in the class of 1958. He proudly served in the United States Army. Frank married Clara (Shirley) Johns in 1965, and they shared nearly 61 years together. Most folks will fondly remember Frank “Buck” as a hardworking, honest man who served the town of Hobbs well during the many years of operating Johns Grain Company.

Frank is survived by his wife Clara Johns; children David (Joshelyn) Johns and Susan (Stacy) Faw; grandchildren Julia, Avery, and Cecelia; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents Jacob & Dorotha Johns and siblings Jack Johns and Becky Howell.

A graveside service to celebrate Frank’s life will be held on Monday, July 27, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Fairview Cemetery, located at 418 Fairview Avenue in Tipton with Pastor Shirley officiating.

Taylor & Cowan Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Frank Johns. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Frank’s honor may be made to Wounded Warrior.

Ilene Lucille Waters

Ilene Lucille Waters, 83, of Kokomo died Monday July 20, 2026, at Ascension St. Vincent in Kokomo. She was born on January 30, 1943, in Moss, Tennessee, to Hubard and Ida Mae Gibson.

Ilene retired from Delco, where she worked many years in the assembly of the radio products. She was a member of the Christian Heritage Church in Kokomo, where she was pleased to be deeply involved with the Bible study. Her love of cooking shone brightly when she brought her chicken and noodles to the weekly gathering. She enjoyed friendship with many, especially having time for dinner out at restaurants. Often Ilene could be found shopping and getting bargains at a thrift shop. During the basketball season, the Pacers were front and center as she rooted for the home team. Mostly, Ilene was a family person, proud of her children, grandchildren, and great grands.

Survivors include her children Brent Gibson and wife Michelle and Robert Sallee. Grandchildren include Brenna Woodall, Michela Cornelius, Billy Henderson, Britney Henderson, and Bailey Sallee. Her great-grandchildren are Ezra Cornelius and Lucas and Logan Henderson. Her sister Judy Watson and husband Jim and a sister-in-law Shirley Gibson also survive.

She was preceded in death by daughter Sherry Henderson and son-in-law Mike Henderson and siblings Katherine Edwards and husband John, David Gibson, Mitchell Gibson and wife Ann, and Billy Goodnight.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, July 27, at Young-Nichols Funeral Home, with Pastor Devin Cole presiding. Visitation will also be on Monday from 11:00 a.m. until service time at the funeral home.

Young-Nichols Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the Waters’ family. Please leave online condolences for them on Ilene’s obituary page at www.young-nichols.com.

Memorial donations may be made to: Christian Heritage Church Summer Camp Program, 3007 E. Carter St., Kokomo, IN 46901.

Gary Hotsinpiller Sr.

Gary Hotsinpiller Sr., 86, passed away at 12:20 a.m., Monday, July 20, 2026, at his home. He was born on May 25, 1940, the son of Russell and Flora (Cooker) Hotsinpiller. On September 9, 1961, he married Frances Rocks in Union Town, PA, and she survives.

Gary was a 1959 graduate of Point Marion High School. He was a coal miner in Pennsylvania and worked at Continental Steel in Indiana. He enjoyed working on cars and being out in the garage. He helped his grandsons rebuild cars as well. Gary enjoyed landscaping, mowing, being outside, and most of all spending time with family.

Along with his wife Frances, he is survived by his children Lisa Eldridge, Gary (Kelly) Hotsinpiller Jr., and Suzanne (Danny) Pearson; grandchildren Dustin, Brandon, Michael, MeGan, Joshua, Dannille, and Kolton; great-grandchildren KJ, Avery, Ian, Axel, Kinsleigh, Grayson, Charlotte, Eleanor, Rhett, Luke, Archer, and a great-granddaughter on the way; and brother Paul (Donna) Hotsinpiller Sr.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Sonny, Mary, Charles, Jimmy, John, and Linda.

A funeral service celebrating Gary’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo, with Pastor Roger Andrick officiating. Burial will follow in Albright Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, heart.org, or to Dialysis Patient Citizens, dialysispatients.org. Messages of condolence may be made at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Wanita Eilene Bowley

Wanita Eilene Bowley, 82, Sharpsville, passed away at 7:16 p.m. on Monday, July 20, 2026, at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Kokomo. She was born on August 16, 1943, the daughter of the late Claude and Alma (Morris) Bowley.

Wanita worked for General Motors and retired after 35 years of service. She was a member of the Ethical Society of Mid Rivers. She was a humanist who believed in kindness, love, and leaving this earth a better place for generations to come. Wanita loved spending time with her family, grandchildren, shopping at Goodwill, and going to the casino with her sister. She enjoyed fishing and was a St. Louis Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts fan.

Wanita is survived by her son Jeffrey (Angela) Bowley; grandchildren Madison, Wil, and Logan; great-grandsons Kyson, Kashton, and Maverick; siblings Deborah (Jerry) Stephenson, Claude (Jacklyn) Bowley, David (Linda) Bowley, Rick (Judy) Bowley, and Laura Wieland; special niece Ranae Washington; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Raymond Bowley; and sisters Teresa Adcock and Becky Parks.

A private Celebration of Life will take place at a later date. Stout & Son Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.stoutandson.com.

Frances Constance Knight

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Frances Constance Knight (formerly Frances Constance Banbury) of Indianapolis, Indiana, on Monday, May 11, 2026. She was 87 years old at the time of her death.

Born in the Borough of Bermondsey, London, England, in 1938, not far from London Bridge, she had five siblings Leslie, Bernard, Peter, Dorothy, and Edwin. Her parents were Ivy Florence Banbury (formerly Machin) and Alfred John Banbury, who was a wharfingers checker by profession in London. Along with her family, young Frances slept in the subways while her neighborhood was bombed in World War II.

Frances came to the United States when a teenager to live with family near Kokomo, Indiana, where she met her future husband James (Jim) Robert Knight. They were married on October 20, 1956, and had three children. The couple celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary in 2020.

Forged by the extraordinary circumstances of her childhood and young adulthood, Frances became a strong woman who left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to meet her. A straight shooter with a quick sense of humor, she had an infectious laugh and was formidable, facing every obstacle with grit and courage.

Along with her late husband, she volunteered at the Howard Community Behavioral Health Center (located in Kokomo, IN). Frances enjoyed traveling with her family, visiting Alaska, Hawaii, Boston, Chicago, NYC, Hilton Head, Las Vegas, San Francisco, many parts of Florida, and much of Great Britain. She loved gardening and tending to her roses, as well as the many dogs she and her family raised and loved over her lifetime.

Frances was a talented cook who made an exceptional traditional British Sunday meal of standing rib roast, Yorkshire pudding, and roasted potatoes, among many other dishes (Grandma’s Stew). Frances enjoyed and loved Baxter and Joey, two Yorkies she had towards the end of her life.

Frances is survived by her three children Leslie Ann (Knight) Kolodziejski, James Michael Knight (married to Michelle Bailey), and David Todd Knight. In many ways, Frances was like a mother to her grandchild Macy Camile Knight (married to Anthony England), together having Frances’ great-grandchildren Lea Devan Wilson and Aya Kai England. Frances is survived by her other grandchildren Derek Kevin Kolodziejski and Stacia Rose Kolodziejski.

Frances was preceded in death by husband Jim on March 21, 2021; parents Ivy and Alfred Banbury, sister Dorothy McCain and brothers Edwin, Leslie, and Bernard Banbury. Frances will be entombed in a private ceremony with her husband at the Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home and Cemetery, Kokomo, IN.

Frances was a one-of-a-kind woman who was always and only her authentic self. Frances Constance Knight will be forever missed; she was loved dearly.