Barbara Allen Parks, Blanche Marie Moore, Pamela Kay Thomas, Betty Ann Ricks, Russell Wayne Sallee, Ryan Michael Titus

Barbara Allen Parks

Barbara Allen Parks, 93, of Peru, passed away on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at her home. She was born on October 1, 1932, in Kokomo, IN, the daughter of Wayne D. Sr. and Ethel (Mullins) Howard. On April 2, 1949, she married Walter H. Parks in Scottsburg, IN, who she was the boss of for 69 years, and he preceded her in death on February 18, 2016.

Barbara enjoyed playing BINGO and going on casino trips. She was the head of PTA at Bon Air when her kids were in school.

She was survived by her children Jane Calhoun, Dennis (Debra) Parks, David (Mindy) Parks, Janice (Roger) Coleman, Walter Parks, and Dan (Janet) Parks; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; siblings Margie (Merrell) Horoho and Ralph (Cindy) Howard; and many nieces and nephews.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband; parents; two brothers; and three great-grandchildren.

Friends are invited to visit with the family to celebrate Barbara’s life from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo, IN. Burial in Kokomo Memorial Park will take place at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Shirley & Stout Funeral Home to assist the family with funeral expenses. Messages of condolence may be made at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Blanche Marie Moore

Blanche Marie Moore, 88, a beloved mother, grandmother, great- and great-great grandmother, passed away on Monday, August 10, at Creasy Springs Health Center after battling a long illness.

Blanche was born in 1937 to Nasby Mills and Lola Mills Evans in Knox County, Kentucky, in the heart of Appalachia. She attended a one room schoolhouse where she completed the eighth grade. She came from very humble and simple beginnings but became a master of everything she was passionate about. Blanche was curious. She was a collector of history, both physical and of tales. She had the gift of gab. She was everyone’s favorite Southern cook, cake maker, crafter, and babysitter. Blanche was generous. Her kitchen was always open to anyone who was hungry. She would give her family and friends anything they ever needed, because that is what “family” does for one another.

Blanche is preceded in death by the love of her life Walter E. Moore. They were happily married for 54 years. Her family takes great comfort in knowing they are reunited.

Blanche spent her final months telling her family that her greatest accomplishment in life was her children. Blanche is survived by three of her five children Ronnie B. Grubb of Barbourville, Kentucky, Michael R. (Cheryl) Grubb of Lafayette, and Regina Casas of Lafayette; and stepdaughter Cheryl Drudge of Kokomo. Preceding her in death are two children Richard L. Grubb of Brownstown, Michigan, and Pamela J. (Marino) Gaeta of West Lafayette.

Blanche is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, all whose lives have been touched by her generous love and all who will dearly miss her sweet Southern accent and warm hugs.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m.–11 a.m. on Monday, August 17, 2026, at Hippensteel Funeral Home. Funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Interment to follow at Concord Cemetery. Share memories and condolences online at www.hippensteelfuneralservice.com​

Pamela Kay Thomas

Pamela Kay Thomas, 75, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away peacefully on August 11, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.

Pamela was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a cherished part of her family. She was preceded in death by her parents Robert W. Bailey and Kathryn Bailey, as well as her beloved husband Mike Thomas.

Pamela is survived by her two sons Aric Thomas and Aaron Thomas (Kristin). She was a proud grandmother to Kariah Barnett Blackburn (Jon Blackburn), Zayn Thomas, Eli Thomas, Jacob Kline, Alejandra Nin, and Lexis Coar-Mattick. She was also blessed with four great-grandchildren Leah, Clio, Eleia, and Cass, who brought additional love and joy to her life.

Pamela will be remembered for the love she gave to her family and the memories she created with those who were fortunate enough to know her. Her family will forever carry her love in their hearts and cherish the time they shared with her.

Though her journey on earth has come to an end, Pamela’s love and memory will live on through her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all those whose lives she touched.

Rest peacefully, Pamela. You will be deeply loved, forever missed, and never forgotten.

A visitation for Pamela will take place Tuesday, August 18, 2026, from 1:00 PM-3:00 PM at Ellers Mortuary, 3400 S. Webster St., Kokomo, IN 46902. A funeral service will follow at 3:00 PM.

Betty Ann Ricks

Betty Ann Ricks, 98, of Kokomo, died on Monday, August 10, 2026. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 19, from 10:30 AM until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 AM at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Kokomo, IN. Burial will follow at St. Boniface Cemetery in Lafayette, IN. Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home of Lafayette is honored to serve the Ricks family. Please leave memories and condolences at hahngroeberfuneralhome.com​

Russell Wayne Sallee

Russell Wayne Sallee, 54, of Tipton, passed away on Monday, August 10, 2026, in Tipton County as the result of an auto accident. He was born in Tipton on May 9, 1972, and was a life-long Tipton resident. His mother Betty Kay Sallee of Freetown, Indiana, survives.

Russell was self-employed and had been a partner in a company supplying uninterrupted power sources for many years. He was really a jack of all trades when it came down to it. He did electrical, plumbing, remodeling, landscaping, and could learn anything quickly on the job. Russell was into anything motorsports related. He loved flying his power parachute, taking friends and family for rides. He was working on his private pilot’s license and had once owned his own airplane. Russell enjoyed riding his motorcycles, snowmobiles, and he even had a cigarette boat for a while. He loved his toys, and a good conspiracy theory! He spent countless hours gazing at the skies with his night vision and telescope just hoping to see something otherworldly! Russell was young at heart; he had a generous spirit and loved big. He especially loved his and everyone else’s animals. He had many dogs, cats, and horses in his lifetime and cherished time outdoors training and playing with them.

Survivors besides his mother Betty include his fiancée Marla Wallace of Tipton; his Pops Frank Louthen of Tipton, several aunts, uncles, cousins, and best friend Mike Jackson of Tipton.

Russell did not desire to have a funeral service, and his family is honoring that wish. He will be cremated and his family will scatter his ashes in the ocean. Please join Russell’s family for a Celebration of Life on Saturday, August 29, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at The Shack in Tipton.

Young-Nichols Funeral Home is assisting Russell’s family at this most difficult time. Online condolences may be left on his obituary page at www.young-nichols.com.

Please remember and honor Russell in your own way. Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to help repair the Horsemen’s Camp at Brown County State Park, which has been damaged by several storms. Donations may be sent to Midwest Equine Trail Foundation, 3158 East, County Line Road 200 South, Dillsboro, Indiana, 47018.

Ryan Michael Titus

Ryan Michael Titus, 47, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away on July 8, 2026. He was born on April 9, 1979, in Marion, Indiana, to Jerry Titus and Kelly (Robey) Samuels.

Ryan graduated from Kokomo High School in 1998 and attended classes at Ivy Tech Kokomo and Portland Community College. Ryan held his PADI certification in SCUBA diving for several years as well as his bartending license. His work in the service industry helped feed his thirst for adventure, taking him throughout the U.S. with memorable stops of Oregon, Hawaii, and Alaska, with a long stint of working on a paddlewheel riverboat on the Columbia River. He enjoyed spending his spare time watching movies, playing online video games, fishing, and spending time outdoors. The latter two passions lead him to work as a level 3 fishery worker throughout Alaska for five seasons.

His most recent employment had been at Haynes International in 4High and Airmelt Departments. In his youth Ryan worked as a lifeguard at Lantz’s Pit, was an avid Chicago Cubs fan, active in the Boy Scouts, and a member of the Order of the Arrow. He attended a Boy Scout National Jamboree and worked on a trail crew at Philmont National Scout Camp. His humor and laugh were a trademark of family gatherings, especially when playing board games and card games. He loved animals, particularly big dogs and cute cats.

Survivors include his mother Kelly Samuels, father and stepmother Jerry & Jan Titus; grandmother Donna Robey; siblings: Brandi Titus, Chrissy (Bret Barlow) Franz, Eric Franz, Samantha Samuels, Alec (Jordan) Samuels, and Elizabeth (Shelton) Kirchner; along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and a gaggle of nieces and nephews whom he adored, with a close relationship to nephew JP Titus.

Ryan was preceded in death by his stepfather Sam Samuels II and several grandparents and step-grandparents.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. There will be a Celebration of Life October 24, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the family’s residence pond. Please contact the family for more information, address, and RSVP details.

City of Firsts Cremation and Funeral Services by Rose and Geiger was entrusted with the arrangements. www.cityoffirstscremations.com