Sarah Elizabeth Smith, Sonja Lavonne Hanawalt, Joyce Mae (Mount) Fields, Martha A. “Marty” Meng, Larry Joe Hight, Alberta Lee Meadors, Rebecca Maroney

Sarah Elizabeth Smith

Sarah Elizabeth Smith, 49, passed away on August 22, 2026, with her family by her side. She was born September 11, 1976, in Kokomo, Indiana, to Dorothy “Dottie” Salsbery and Troy Smith Jr.

On June 2, 2010, Sarah married Kevin Little. Their marriage marked a cherished chapter of companionship and shared life, held close by those who knew and loved them.

For 10 years, Sarah served as a cook at the Sheriff’s Department, a role that reflected her steady dedication and the quiet, meaningful ways she cared for others through daily work. Whether preparing meals or offering a familiar presence, she brought reliability and purpose to those around her.

Sarah found joy in sewing, cooking and baking, singing, and watching anything about the royal family.

She is survived by her children Cameron (Maria) Smith, Jaquail Smith, Kearah (Cory) Holiday, Kevin (Tonnette) Gilbert-Little, Michael (Adrienne) Little, Tonika Milan, Erika (John) Cunningham, Ernest (Brittany) Little, Keisha Little, Flonicia (Cameron) Fletcher, and Victor Little, parents Dorothy “Dottie” Salsbery (Dakota Gee) and Troy Smith Jr. (Renee), siblings Virginia Nix, Troy (Michelle) Smith, Paris Smith, Gloria Jean Holman, Ernest Little, Wendall Little, and Angela Lewis; 18 grandchildren; one aunt; one uncle; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Sarah was preceded in death by her husband Kevin Little, brother-in-law Christopher Nix, and her grandparents.

Visitation will be held at Ellers Mortuary & Crematory Center, 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo, Indiana 46902, on August 28, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will follow at 12:00 p.m. Sarah will be laid to rest at Albright Cemetery.

Sonja Lavonne Hanawalt

Sonja Lavonne Hanawalt, 88, Logansport, Indiana, went to be with Jesus Tuesday evening, August 25, 2026. Her passing was peaceful, something she had longed for as kidney disease made life harder. She missed her husband and her parents deeply and looked forward to the day she could be with them again.

Born April 22, 1938, in Howard County, Sonja adored her parents Denzel S. “Holly” and Ida (Lynas) Hollingsworth.

A 1956 graduate of Logansport High School, Sonja was active in swing band, orchestra, marching band, music club and Hi Tri. She continued her education at Indiana University for a year and a half before returning home.

On February 12, 1961, in Cass County, she married Eugene Perry “Sam” Hanawalt. Sam and Sonja were one of those couples people remember - kind, always smiling and inseparable. Sam passed away February 23, 2015, and Sonja counted the days until their reunion in Heaven.

Gifted with numbers, Sonja worked many years for the United Methodist Ministers Credit Union. She was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church, now the Church of the Good Shepherd, where she served as financial secretary. Music was her passion. She rang bells in the bell choir, sang in the choir, and her baby grand piano was the heart of her home.

For more than 40 years, Sonja belonged to Delta Theta Chi sorority and treasured the friendships she made there. As a young girl, she was part of the International Order of Rainbow for Girls and later joined the Order of the Eastern Star. She was an avid reader and a skilled seamstress who could make anything she set her mind to.

Sonja is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Doug and Karen Hanawalt of Indianapolis; her daughter and son-in-law Susan and Jason Peters of Kokomo; two grandchildren Jake and Sara Hanawalt; four step-grandchildren Nathan, Luke, Elizabeth, and Amelia Peters; 10 step-great-grandchildren; two sisters Joyce Timler of Pendleton, IN, and Judith (husband Gary) Price of Fort Lauderdale, FL; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, Sonja dearly missed her granddaughter Lauren Hanawalt, gone too soon in 2021 at the age of 19, after courageously battling a rare form of cancer for five years. Also preceding in death were her sister Patricia Cottrell and two brothers-in-law John Fewell and John Cottrell.

A Memorial Service celebrating Sonja’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, August 30, in Fisher Funeral Chapel. Chaplain Allen Wright will be officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

Memorial contributions may be made in Sonja’s memory to the Church of the Good Shepherd, 800 East Broadway, Logansport, IN 46947.

Joyce Mae (Mount) Fields

Joyce Mae (Mount) Fields, age 89, passed away peacefully on August 24, 2026, after a short illness. Joyce was born in Linton, Indiana, on July 17, 1937.

She grew up in Terre Haute, Indiana, where she graduated from Wiley High School in the Class of 1955. It was in Terre Haute where Joyce met her next-door neighbor Harold Leroy Fields, who would become her senior prom date and the love of her life. The high school sweethearts married on August 10, 1956, and recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

While Joyce worked professionally as a bookkeeper, she dedicated much of her life to her family as a homemaker and by volunteering in her church and community. When her children were young, Joyce was involved in their activities, serving as a PTO president and a 4-H Club leader. As her children grew into teenagers, she continued her involvement as a youth group counselor at Main Street United Methodist Church, where she was a dedicated member for over 50 years. She was also a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and the Kokomo Kiwanis Club.

Joyce along with her husband Harold were ballroom dancers and founding members of the Delco Dance Club. They also volunteered for the Kokomo Community Concerts, where Joyce routinely took the top honor of selling the most season tickets. The couple loved traveling and were members of the Community First Bank’s travel club. For more than 20 years, they spent winters in their Sebring, Florida, home. Joyce loved gardening, playing cards, decorating her home, shopping, and dining out.

She was preceded in death by her parents Thomas Mount and Edna Steele; stepfather Robert Steele; stepmother Jean Mount; brother Rickie Steele; sister-in-law Judith Susie Steele; and her dear aunts Marian Fiscus and Sondra Love.

Joyce’s legacy of love lives on through her surviving family. She leaves behind her beloved husband Harold; two children Thomas Fields and Deneice Jarrett (Robin); brother Steve Mount (Ann); granddaughters Rachel Day (Danny) and Hannah Freiherr (Greg); and step-granddaughters Alexis Jarrett (Jon Kuhn), Amanda Jarrett, and Abigail Jarrett (Quoc Duong). She is also survived by eight great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends may call from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Monday, August 31, at Main Street United Methodist Church, 830 South Main Street, Kokomo, Indiana. Funeral services immediately following. Guests are invited to join the family for a celebration meal at the church after the funeral. Interment will be at Sunset Memory Gardens.

Martha A. “Marty” Meng

Martha A. “Marty” Meng, 91, of Tipton, was born in Conception Junction, Missouri, on August 29, 1934. Her parents were Leo Joseph and Catherine Leota (Van Vactor) Protzman. Marty married James L. Meng on September 14, 1957, and after 61 years of marriage, Jim passed away on November 18, 2018. Marty passed away on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at IU Health – Tipton Hospital (formerly Tipton County Memorial Hospital), where she had dedicated her career as a nurse for many years, retiring in 1991.

Marty graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Delaware, Ohio, and then from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. She was an active member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and the Altar/Rosary Society.

Marty is survived by her four children Timothy J. Meng and husband Mike Goldschlag of Ft. White, Florida, Mark D. Meng of Tipton, Mary A. Meng of Clive, Iowa, and Emma L. Teyema of Tipton; and three grandchildren Madison Gruel, Natalie Teyema, and Darian (Dakota) Brock.

She is survived by her siblings Catherine (Paul) Schieber of Maryville, Missouri, Alicia (Harold) Lewis of Graham, Missouri, Emma Kennedy of Bethany, Missouri, F. Herbert (Arla) Protzman of Midwest City, Oklahoma, and James (Terry) Protzman of Conception Junction, Missouri. Marty was preceded in death by her siblings Leo and Paul Protzman, Mary Runde, and Patricia Johnson.

A funeral mass for Marty will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 1, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 335 Mill Street, Tipton, Indiana, 46072, with Rev. Adam Mauman presiding. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery, Tipton. Visitation will be from 4:00–8:00 p.m. on Monday, August 31, at Young-Nichols Funeral Home, with a Wake and Rosary service starting at 4:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions in Marty’s memory may be made to the Building Fund at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Young-Nichols Funeral Home is honored to assist the Meng family. Online condolences may be left on Marty’s obituary page at www.young-nichols.com.

Larry Joe Hight

Larry Joe Hight, 81, of Tipton, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, surrounded by the love of his dear family. He was born on March 12, 1945, in Kokomo, Indiana, to Joe and Betty (Hoff) Hight.

Larry attended Oak Hill High School and then proudly served his country in the United States Army, achieving the rank of Specialist Four (SP4). Following his military service, Larry built a long career with Chrysler Corporation, where he worked for 31 years before retiring from the casting plant.

On March 31, 1964, Larry married the love of his life Linda Lou (Bowland) Hight. Linda preceded Larry in death on August 13, 2012. The two shared 48 wonderful years together, filled with love, laughter, family, and the simple moments that meant the most.

If you knew Larry, chances are he made you laugh. He was sassy, playful, rarely serious, and almost never angry. He had a gift for bringing happiness wherever he went, and making sure the people around him were happy was incredibly important to him. Whether he was telling a joke, sneaking up to give someone a good jump scare, or flashing that familiar smile, Larry knew how to make life a little more fun. He never knew a stranger and seemed to make friends everywhere he went.

Even the smallest things became part of what made Larry unforgettable. He was rarely without Werther’s candy tucked into his pocket, ready to hand one to someone who crossed his path. Even during his time in the hospital, the candy remained close by, because Larry was always thinking about how he could brighten someone else’s day.

Larry loved being outdoors and could happily spend his time fishing, hunting, or searching for arrowheads. He had a special appreciation for old cars and enjoyed restoring them, attending car shows, and spending time with the Tipton Car Club. His beloved 1940 Pontiac Silver Streak was a particular source of pride. And, of course, there was always time for a good cup of coffee and a nice meal from Crazy Omelette.

Music was another important part of Larry’s life. He played guitar and sang with his family in a band, creating memories that will continue to bring smiles for years to come.

Above all else, Larry was a family man. His family meant everything to him, and he was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He loved deeply, laughed often, and made certain the people he loved knew how important they were to him. His faith was an important foundation in his life. He attended First Church of the Nazarene and made it a priority to take his family to church, passing along the faith that guided him throughout his life.

Larry carried his joy with him all the way through his final days. Even in his last moments, his smile remained, a fitting reflection of the way he lived his life: finding happiness, sharing laughter, loving his family, and wanting those around him to smile right along with him.

Left to carry on Larry’s legacy of love and laughter are his daughters Mindy Moore, Lisa Walden (Jake), and Jessica Hughes (Kyle); grandchildren Kayla Hein (Jamison), Tyler Clark, Ally Byerly (Tim), Hope Ayers (Dawson), Alyssa Moore, Alex Geiger (Grace), Logan Brumfiel, Selena Brumfiel, Abygail Hill, Axl Hughes, Hendrix Hughes, and Elijah Hughes; great-grandchildren Beckett Ayers and Fletcher Ayers; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family members, and countless friends he gathered along the way.

Larry was welcomed into Heaven by his parents Joe and Betty Hight; his beloved wife Linda Hight; daughter Tammy Edens; siblings Bruce Hight, Tracy Hight, and Terri Hight; and grandson Samuel Clark.

A visitation for Larry will be held on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Taylor & Cowan Funeral Home, with an additional time of visitation on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. His funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, with Pastor Josh Nichols officiating. Committal will follow at Fairview Cemetery, where military honors will be conducted by VFW Post 46.

Taylor & Cowan Funeral Home is honored to serve the Hight family in their time of need.

And because Larry would never want everyone to get too serious, there is one very important piece of family business left unresolved. It was always a competition among his daughters to be deemed “Dad’s favorite.” After all these years, all the teasing, and undoubtedly plenty of lobbying on each daughter’s behalf, the family can officially confirm one thing ... Larry’s favorite daughter? Still to be determined!

Alberta Lee Meadors

Alberta Lee Meadors, 69, of Kokomo, passed away Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Kokomo. She was born October 11, 1956, in Tipton, Indiana, to John Cass and Lavada (Acord) Gist. She married Rick A. Meadors on July 14, 1984, and he survives.

Alberta loved life and all of her family. She is survived by her spouse Rick A. Meadors of Kokomo and her children Joseph Cass, Lacy Cass, and Shalee Meadors. Surviving grandchildren include Lavada Koon, Kolton Koon, Bela Cass, Isaiah Cass, and Caden Cass. She is also survived by one brother, two sisters, and her grandpup Lucy. She is preceded in death by her parents.

Rebecca Maroney

Becky passed away on Friday, August 21, 2026, at her residence. She was born on October 4, 1942, to Joe H. and Reba (Engleman) Mullins at St. Joseph Hospital, Kokomo, Ind. She attended Lincoln Elementary in Kokomo until her family moved to the country, and she attended Howard Elementary starting in the 5th grade. Becky graduated from Northwestern High in 1960. She spent four years in band, choir, girls’ barbershop quartet, and cheerleading; and was a member of Honor Society and other clubs and activities.

After high school, Becky attended Ball State Teachers’ College (now University). She earned an associate business degree so she would have skills to work while her husband-to-be finished veterinary school at Purdue University. He had completed three years but still had another three years to finish. Becky married her high school sweetheart Mike Maroney, July 7, 1962, at Grace Methodist Church, Kokomo. She then worked at West Lafayette Jr. High School/Kingston Elementary as secretary to both principals. Mike graduated with his DVM from Purdue in 1965.

When her sons were both in grade school in 1973, Becky returned to college at IUK to pursue nursing. She had to attend part-time, but did finish the Associate Degree and passed the boards and became a Registered Nurse in 1977. Becky worked at two nursing homes in Kokomo. Then, in her last 10 years, she worked at Sycamore Primary Care for Dr. Jim Whitfield. She retired from there in 1997 to stay home to care for Mike, who had a terminal disease. He died on April 10, 1999.

Both Mike and Becky were long-time members of First Baptist Church, Kokomo, and were active in various offices and committees in the church.

Becky served on the Northwestern School Board for one term (four years). She was honored to present both sons their diplomas at graduation: Tim ‘85 and Tom ‘88.

Becky loved being with her two sons and their families. Her most favorite hobby was taking photographs at various family gatherings. Placing all the photos in albums provided a pictorial history of the Maroney family: 35 albums.

Becky is survived by her two sons: Timothy Scott (Melissa) and Thomas Michael (Heather); grandchildren Austin W. Maroney, Meghan L. and Kaden Smith, “TJ” and Brittany Maroney, and Mike and Tayler Wyrick, all of Kokomo; great-grandchildren Zaylee Maroney, Cyrus Scott Smith, Madalynn Maroney, Weston Maroney, Natalie Wyrick, Declan Wyrick, and Wrenley Quinn Wyrick; brother-in-law David Maroney and Judy of Ladoga, Ind.; nephews Ryun and Andrea Cook, A.J. and Aiden of North Carolina, and Casey and Rachel Cook and Jack of Michigan (Ryun and Casey are Becky’s sister Marlene’s sons); and nephews from David’s first marriage Chris Maroney and Susan of Carmel, Ind., and Mike Maroney and Peggy of Zionsville, Ind.

Preceding Becky in death were her husband Mike; her sister Marlene Russell; her parents Joe and Reba Mullins, and her in-laws Gerald and Alice Maroney.

Ellers is assisting the family with burial arrangements. At Becky’s request there will be no visitation. Her family will attend Becky’s burial beside her husband Mike at Zion Church Cemetery, which is just a few miles from the Maroney farm.