Linda “Sue” Metcalf, Robert G. Sawyer, Kathleen Joanne Vahle, Robert J. Myers Sr., Mary Lou (Babb) West, Nikolai Allen Isham, Shelia Ellison Durfey

Linda “Sue” Metcalf

Linda “Sue” Metcalf, 89, Kokomo, passed away on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at Kokomo Place. She was born July 8, 1937, in Clinton County, the daughter of the late Marshall and Minnie (nee Robertson) McQuinn. On August 7, 1955, she married Forrest E. Metcalf at West Point Christian Church, who preceded her in death on December 12, 2007.

Sue was a 1955 graduate of Forest High School. She retired from Northwestern School Corporation after 10 years of service before working for the Howard County Clerk’s office as Chief Deputy for eight years. She later was elected as the Howard County Clerk, serving a four-year term. Sue was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. She enjoyed traveling, wintering in Bradenton, FL, for many years and taking her weekly trip with Forrest to Sandwich, IL, in their truck. Sue was an avid card player, especially the game Hand & Foot.

Sue is survived by her children Nancy Jo Orem, Michael (Susan) Metcalf, and Susan Ludwig; grandchildren Meagan Reed, Ansley Reeser, A.J. (Kynzie) Metcalf, Jordan (Andrea) McKinley, and Mason (Kayla) McKinley; great-grandchildren Jackson Reed, Mackenzie Reed, Kybree Reeser, Naomi McKinley, Collin McKinley, Theodore McKinley, Maddux McKinley, and Maverick Metcalf; brother Robert McQuinn; sisters-in-law Carolyn McQuinn, and Carolyn Scott; brother-in-law Leonard Hartman; along with several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband Forrest, Sue was preceded in death by her parents; sister Marcia Kay Young; brother William McQuinn; granddaughter Brianne Leigh Orem; and son-in-law Thomas Ludwig.

Special thanks to Dawn, Susan, Dae, and Kayla at Paradigm Hospice, along with Rheanna, Taylor, and Olivia at Kokomo Place, for taking such wonderful care of Sue.

A funeral service celebrating Sue’s life will take place at 1 p.m. Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 121 Santa Fe Blvd., Kokomo, with Pastor John Kolb officiating. Burial will follow in St. Paul Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 11 a.m. until the start of the service on Tuesday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, or donor’s choice, in Sue’s memory. Stout & Son Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.stoutandson.com.

Robert G. Sawyer

Robert G. Sawyer, 97, of Kokomo, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at his home. He was born December 17, 1928, in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, to Bert J. and Bertha (Gall) Sawyer. On January 6, 1951, he married Patricia J. Carrington in Rhinelander, and she preceded him in death on January 12, 2016.

Robert graduated from Rhinelander High School in 1947. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. Following his military service, he worked as an accountant for Delco Electronics/General Motors, retiring in 1988 after 30 years of service.

He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and the American Legion Post 6. Robert was a devoted Notre Dame fan and a loyal Green Bay Packers fan.

Robert is survived by his children Bob (Debbie) Sawyer, Tim (Julie) Sawyer, Mark Sawyer, Tom (Lisa) Sawyer, Andy Sawyer, Dennis (Melissa) Sawyer, Mary (Mike) Werner, Theresa (Barry) Kratzer, and Dan Sawyer; 29 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife Patricia, Robert was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Irene Sawyer; son Patrick Sawyer; sisters Dorothy Ann “Dottie” Secord and Maria Bartknecht; and brother Fr. Michael Sawyer.

A memorial service celebrating Robert’s life will be held at 12 p.m., Wednesday September 9, 2026. at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo, IN. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service on Wednesday. Inurnment will follow in Marion National Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the United States Air Force and the Kokomo VFW Military Rites Team. Memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-85146, www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate or Covenant House, PO Box 758636, Topeka, KS 66675-9986 or www.covenanthouse.org. Messages of condolence may be made at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Kathleen Joanne Vahle

Kathleen Joanne Vahle, age 90, passed on August 22, 2026. Born April 25, 1936, in Indianapolis, Indiana, Kathleen lived in Kokomo, Indiana.

A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held at First EPC, 2000 W. Jefferson St., Kokomo, Indiana 46901, on September 22, 2026, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., followed by a Funeral Service at First EPC, 2000 W. Jefferson St., Kokomo, Indiana 46901, on September 22, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.

Robert J. Myers Sr.

Robert J. Myers Sr., “Jake,” passed away September 1, 2026, in Tipton, IN, in his backyard from a pulmonary embolism at the age of 93. Robert was born in Broadlands, Illinois, on July 25, 1933. His parents were Willis Myers and Lavon Hardyman. At the age of seven, he and his parents moved to his father’s hometown of Amboy, Indiana. Jake graduated from Clay Township School in Miami County, Indiana, in 1952.

Jake and his father started Myers and Son Plumbing and Heating, and in 1953 he joined the Marines until his honorable discharge in 1955. He met the love of his life Donna Lou Yoder at a bowling alley in Peru, Indiana. They were married in Peru on July 24, 1959. Jake and his dad later worked as private contractors for Bell Telephone, laying cable throughout northern Indiana, then changing professions once again to start Myers and Son Excavating. Jake retired in 1996. Many may remember Jake plowing snow on the streets of Amboy. During the Blizzard of ‘78, he plowed a path from Amboy down State Road 18 to US 31 using an International TD15 bulldozer. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion.

In 2016, he and his wife moved to Tipton at his son’s request to be closer to him during their golden years. He enjoyed the outdoors, and those activities included hunting, fishing, camping, trap shooting, and golfing, which eventually waned. However, being an avid gardener remained constant. He loved using his Troy Bilt tiller. Perhaps his longevity could be contributed to his ritual breakfast: home canned tomato juice, two eggs over easy and covered in Mrs. Dash, buttered rye bread, jalapenos, and bacon or pork belly.

Jake was an only child. He is survived by his wife Donna and children Robert J. Myers Jr. of Tipton, Indiana, Jill (Dan) Ferrell of Naples, Florida, and Janet Myers of Saginaw, Michigan. Grandchildren include Jamel (Sofia) Jackson, Adriel Ward, and Mi’kel Myers. Great-grandchildren are Jayla and Jamel Jackson and Kanton Kirkwood. He is also survived by special friends Scott Brown and Roger Bowland.

At Jake’s request, there are no funeral services planned, and he chose cremation. Interment will be at a later date at Parklawn Cemetery, Amboy, Indiana.

Mary Lou (Babb) West

Mary Lou (Babb) West went to be with the Lord at 8:43 a.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at the age of 95. Mary was born to the late Elwin J. and Dolly D. (Umbarger) Babb, in Walton, Indiana, on June 23, 1931. On June 11, 1950, she married Robert W. West, and they shared 57 years of marriage before his passing.

Mary was a resident of Kokomo, Indiana. She was a cherished homemaker and raised five children. She was a devoted member of St. Patrick’s and St. Joan of Arc churches. Mary was a member of Tri Kappa and volunteered her time at the church Care & Share store. She was a woman who appreciated the simple things in life and who never made a fuss.

Mary is survived by her son Mark (Terri) West; daughters Bev (Randy) Jones, Joyce (David) Mygrant, and Anna Lee (Robert) Kemp; grandchildren Heather (Tom) Maroney, Wendy (A.J.) Neher, Colleen (Kurt) Hibler, Matthew (Christine) Mygrant, Michael (Heather) Mygrant, Ryan West, Laura (J.P.) Cannon, Jacob (Rachael) West, Nathan Kemp, Levi (Pria) Kemp, Elizabeth Kraner, Zak (Karissa) Kraner, and Kate (Tyler) Shoffner; as well as 21 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren. Through her family, Mary leaves behind a beautiful legacy of love that will continue through the generations.

She was preceded in death by her parents Elwin and Dolly Babb, her husband Robert W. West, daughter Sarah West-Kraner, and her grandson Jason Mygrant.

A private family service was held on August 31, 2026, at Ellers Mortuary and Cremation Center in Kokomo, Indiana, with Father Dominic Petan officiating. A committal service with burial followed at Mount Hope Cemetery in Logansport, Indiana, where Father Kyle Feterer officiated.

Nikolai Allen Isham

Nikolai Allen Isham was born sleeping at 9:53 p.m. Wednesday August 19, 2026, at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Kokomo. He was the precious son of Kaylee Stewart & Christian Isham.

Though Nikolai never spent time here with us on earth, he is deeply loved and touched our hearts forever.

Nikolai will be forever remembered and loved by his parents Kaylee and Christian; siblings Caroline and Madelyn Isham; maternal and paternal grandparents; several aunts, uncles, and cousins; along with extended family.

No services will be held. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with cremation.

Shelia Ellison Durfey

Shelia Ellison Durfey, 74 years old, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at her home in Kokomo after a 5½ year battle with lung disease, breast cancer, bone cancer, brain cancer, and finally, leukemia. Shelia was born in Lebanon, Indiana, on September 15, 1951, the daughter of the late Leo and Merion Elizabeth Ellison. On November 10, 1973, she married James Robert Durfey, her husband of more than 52 years, at St. Michael’s church in Indianapolis, Indiana, and he survives.

Shelia was raised in Brownsburg, Indiana, and graduated from Brownsburg High School in 1969. She attended Indiana State University for two years. She worked at Sears, where she met her husband Jim, who always says that “Sears has everything,” and they married nine months thereafter. It was clearly love at first sight!

Shelia worked for the State of Indiana as a data processing specialist, later embarking on a career in residential real estate in St. Louis and Chicago. During her married life, she and her family moved from Indianapolis to St. Louis, Chicago, San Antonio, San Diego, Los Angeles, and back to San Diego before Jim’s retirement in 2017. Jim and Shelia eventually moved to Kokomo in 2021.

Shelia was an avid golfer (her handicap was as low as 11 at one time), having made three holes-in-one during her time on the links! She was a member of the Women’s Southern California Golf Association Board of Directors, where she was the Rules Committee Chairperson. She also served as lead rules official for the 15- to 18-year-old women’s group at the IMG Junior World Golf Classic in San Diego for 10 years and officiated many other amateur golf tournaments. She loved to bake and sew, having made her own wedding gown and her oldest daughter’s bridesmaids’ dresses.

In addition to her husband Jim, Shelia is survived by her two daughters Renee Marchese (Anthony) and Angela Curran (Dustin), and three grandchildren Dominic Marchese (21), Natalia Marchese (18), and Reed Curran (13), all of whom were the joys of her life.

There will be no funeral. A Celebration of Life will be held in Kokomo, Indiana, at a future date, as Shelia showed her caring, kindness and compassion by donating her body for research to the Indiana University School of Medicine. Her ashes will be returned to Jim upon completion of the research. Any donations on her behalf should be made to the Indiana University School of Medicine: https://give.myiu.org/iu-indianapolis/I320016008.html.