Thomas Eugene Silvers, Erin Marie Bowers, Michael Joe Cree, Gene Phillip Sullivan, Wayne Jeffrey Maxwell, Rebecca Sue Young, Remy Charlotte Somers, Jay Kevin Darlin, Alicia Renee Ward

Thomas “Tom” Eugene Silvers

Thomas “Tom” Eugene Silvers, 78, of Kokomo, passed away on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at Community Howard Regional Hospital in Kokomo. He was born on October 2, 1947, in Indianapolis, IN, the son of Stephen and Bertha (Louden) Silvers. On October 6, 1990, he married Cathy Johnson, and she survives.

Tom was a 1966 graduate of George Washington High School in Indianapolis. He worked at Western Electric from 1966 to 1984 and Chrysler from 1984-1987. Tom worked as a journeyman for 37 years at General Motors, where he retired in 2024. He was a Mason of the Center Masonic Lodge since 1976. Tom was a member of the Grotto/Shriners and the Southern Baptist Church of Indianapolis. Hunting and spending time with family were his hobbies. He lived for his family.

Tom is survived by his wife Cathy; children Doug (Sherry) Silvers, Melinda (Chris) Wyan, Laura Middleton, Phillip Silvers, Matthew Thibeault, and Rachael Thibeault; grandchildren Calvin (Stacey) Murphy, Jessica Perry, Mary Silvers, Victoria (Christian) Peltier, Tommy (Ariana) Silvers, and Corey Thibeault; several great-grandchildren; and two great great-granddaughters.

He was preceded in death by his parents, maternal grandparents, fraternal grandparents, and three grandchildren Matthew, Samuel, and Maria.

A funeral service celebrating Tom’s life will be held at 12 p.m., Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo, IN 46902. A Masonic service will start at 12 p.m., Wednesday, provided by Naphtali Masonic Lodge #389. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery in Greentown. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the IU Health Foundation, P.O. Box 775589, Chicago, IL 60677. Messages of condolence may be made at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Erin Marie Bowers

Erin Marie Bowers, 42, Kokomo, IN, went to be with the Lord on September 17, 2026. She was born December 10, 1983, in Champaign, IL, to Dane and Maxine Bowers. Erin was a graduate of Northwestern High School, attended Milligan College, and graduated from Ivy Tech as a Certified Dental Technician. Erin is survived by her parents Dane and Maxine Bowers, brother Carson Bowers (Conner and niece Clarke) and her longtime boyfriend Craig Babbs.

Erin was a Christian and was baptized at the age of 11. She was a member of Chapel Hill Christian Church. Erin went on two mission trips in her younger years; one to South Africa and a second to Nicaragua. Erin loved children and most recently worked, though it was more a labor of love than work, at Crossroads Learning Corner as a preschool teacher.

Erin began playing softball at the age of seven and became quite accomplished, played for several travel teams throughout high school, and one year at college. Erin became a big fan of the New England Patriots, in particular of Tom Brady, and followed them closely to the consternation of all the Colts fans she knew. She enjoyed watching NASCAR racing with Craig and attending local races with her dad, mom, brother, and Craig. Erin loved her and Craig’s doggies, whom she referred to as her babies. Erin loved to smile and laugh and tell her family bad dad jokes; these are already missed. Erin loved Craig and was devoted to her family, always concerned with how everyone was doing. Erin was so excited to become an aunt with the recent birth of her niece Clarke.

Success in life can have many definitions. Erin’s life was defined by her love of Jesus, concern for others, love for children and a personality that can best be described as a special sweetness. In these things, Erin was highly successful. Erin’s favorite Bible verse and one that gave her great comfort was Psalms 46:10a, “Be still and know that I am God.”

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Erin’s name to Crossroads Learning Corner, 4254 S 00EW, Kokomo, IN. 46902. This would greatly please Erin.

There will be a visitation for Erin on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home, 2097 West Alto Road, Kokomo, from 3:00 PM until the time of service at 6:00 PM.

Michael Joe “Mike” Cree

Michael Joe “Mike” Cree, 81, of Kokomo, passed away at 3:56 p.m. Friday, September 18, 2026, at his home. He was born January 6, 1945, in Kokomo, the son of Richard Cree and Virginia (Storer) Hunt. On December 9, 1967, in Kokomo, he married Thelma J. Cree, and she survives.

Mike was a 1964 graduate of Kokomo High School. He worked in insurance sales before retiring. A proud veteran, he served in the United States Army from 1964 to 1967.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and boating. Mike also devoted many years to coaching baseball at East Side and Babe Ruth.

In addition to his wife Thelma, Mike is survived by his children Denise McClish and Jason (Lori) Cree; sister Nancy Pemberton; aunt Ruthella Storer; grandchildren Hailey (Alex), Hunter (Ashleigh) and Harrison McClish, Austin (Jasmine) Cree, Anna Cree, and Sophie Cree Addington; and great-grandchildren Lanie, Emma, Alejandro “Bubby” Chavez, Asher and Rhys McClish, and Jax Michael Cree; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother Virginia Hunt; brother Richard Cree; and grandparents who raised him Henry and Maude Storer.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, September 24, 2026, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo, with Pastor Stephen Waddell officiating. Friends are invited to visit with the family from noon until the time of the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Albright Cemetery in Kokomo, with military honors provided by the United States Army and the Kokomo VFW Military Rites Team.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Gene Phillip “Phil” Sullivan

Gene Phillip “Phil” Sullivan, age 81, of Centreville, MI passed away peacefully at his home on September 17, 2026.

He was born in Logansport, Indiana, on February 10, 1945, the son of Garnie Sullivan and Gertrude (Miller) Davis. On May 18, 1963, he married Mary Nelson in Galveston, Indiana. Together, they shared more than 63 years of marriage.

After graduating from high school, Phil completed an apprenticeship and earned his vocational school journeyman certification in machine repair. He worked for Chrysler Corporation for 11 years before beginning his career with General Motors in 1977. He remained with General Motors until his retirement in 2006.

Phil was an easygoing, hardworking man who loved staying busy, especially in his garage. He was a true tinkerer and enjoyed working on just about anything. He had a particular appreciation for Snap-on Tools and even spent some time selling them. He loved John Deere tractors and could often be found wearing his favorite Indiana University or John Deere clothing.

Phil had a passion for dune buggies. He built his own dune buggy and enjoyed taking it to Silver Lake Dunes, where he enjoyed watching the dune buggy races and hill climbs. He also loved golf and pickleball and spent many hours enjoying the outdoors and working on his various projects.

For 18 years, Phil and Mary spent their winters in Florida. He loved letting the grandkids help drive the boat and taking them out on the river on inner tubes on the St. Joseph River, and would even stop to touch the Covered Bridge. Family was incredibly important to Phil, and he was present for the birth of every one of his grandchildren.

Some of Phil’s favorite simple pleasures included stopping at Sand Lake for ice cream, enjoying a good chocolate malt, drinking a Coke, and eating Hershey’s Big Block candy bars. He even enjoyed introducing his children to cherry Coke made with syrup. He was a devoted Indiana University basketball fan and loved cheering on the Hoosiers.

Phil grew up on a farm and remained a farm guy at heart throughout his life. Above all else, he loved his family. His grandchildren brought him tremendous joy, and the time he spent with them created memories that will be cherished by his family for generations.

He is survived by his loving wife Mary Sullivan of Centreville, Michigan; son Scott (Ginnyne) Sullivan of Chelsea, Michigan; daughter Heather (Tim) Oudekerk of Portage, Michigan; grandchildren Phillip Sullivan of Stockbridge, Michigan; Brandon (Sarah) Sullivan of Waterford, Michigan; Nicholas Oudekerk of Portage; and Cassidy Oudekerk of Portage; great-grandchildren Kaden, Arya, and Hadley Sullivan; sibling Max (Judy) Sullivan of Galveston, Indiana; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son Jeffrey Sullivan; and his sibling Gerald Sullivan.

In accordance with Phil’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at Ray Funeral Services, 305 Rock River Avenue, Three Rivers, Michigan. A time of sharing led by Pastor Rodger Moyer will begin at approximately 2:45 p.m.

Those wishing to make a memorial contribution in Phil’s memory are asked to consider Beacon Home Health and Hospice, formerly known as Three Rivers Home Health and Hospice, envelopes are available at the funeral home.

Please visit www.rayfuneralservices.com to gather and share in Phil’s memory.

Wayne Jeffrey Maxwell

Wayne Jeffrey Maxwell, 78, Kokomo, passed away at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Sugar Fork Crossing in Anderson. He was born November 25, 1947, in Smithville, Arkansas, the son of the late McCoy & Ethel “Charlene” (Jones) Maxwell.

Wayne was a 1966 graduate of Western High School. After high school, Wayne served his country with the United States Army. He then went on to retire from Chrysler Corp. after 30 years of service in 2001 and was a member of UAW Local #685. He loved dogs, hunting, fishing, reading, and watching Westerns. Wayne was a member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church.

Wayne is survived by his son Clint Maxwell and stepdaughter Tonya (Isreal) Hall.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Bonnie Stone, Paula Alter, and Johnny Maxwell.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory. Friends are invited to visit with his son from 2-4 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Rebecca Sue Young

Becky passed away on August 31, 2026, after experiencing failing health for several years.

She was born in 1953 to Ralph and Audrey Swedberg in Warsaw, Indiana.

She married Roger Young in 1989. They lived their married years in Kokomo, Indiana.

Becky accepted the Lord as her personal Savior at a young age. She was involved in various church ministries, such as teaching children’s classes, playing the piano, and singing until her health declined.

Prior to her marriage, she worked at Mountain Bell in Denver at various jobs, including climbing poles.

Roger and Becky did not have any children, but family was very important to them. Their nieces and nephews were the object of much love, time, and attention!

Becky’s hobbies were decorating her home, shopping for purses, and weaving baskets.

Becky was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and oldest sister Betty Jo Ehm. She is survived by her brothers John Swedberg (Karen) in Brazil, Tom Swedberg (Jo) in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Jim Swedberg (Carole) in Federal Heights, Colorado, and sister Mary Byers (Ron) in Thornton, Colorado.

Family and friends will gather to remember Becky on September 29, 2026, at 7 p.m. in the Community Room at Crosspoint Baptist Church in Northglenn, Colorado.

Remy Charlotte Somers

Remy Charlotte Somers, who was born on December 29, 2011, in Crown Point, Indiana, and passed away on September 18, 2026, in Kokomo, Indiana, brought a gentle light into the lives of everyone who knew her. She was a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, classmate, and friend, and she carried herself with a kindness that made people feel welcome, understood, and just a little bit luckier to be in the room with her.

Born to Kaylyn Davis and Logan Somers, Remy grew up surrounded by family who loved her deeply and proudly. She is survived by her mother Kaylyn and stepfather Billy Davis; her father Logan Somers, and Haley Whitmire; her brother Bransen Crane; her sister Bailey Somers; her grandparents James and Gail Robertson, Thomas and Rhonda Brodgon, and Mark and Melanie Davis; and several extended family members and friends who will forever remember her bright spirit. Remy had a way of making family feel like the best kind of team, even when life was being a little dramatic, which, to be fair, life often is.

Remy was a 9th grader at Kokomo High School, where she continued to grow into the remarkable young woman she was becoming. She approached life with a quiet strength and a thoughtful heart, and she was known for being selfless, gentle, and loving. Those words fit her well, though they still do not quite capture the full Remy experience, which included warmth, humor, and the kind of presence that could soften a hard day without even trying. She had the rare gift of making people feel seen, and she did it with the kind of grace that cannot be taught in a classroom.

She enjoyed the things that made her happiest and most herself. She loved playing video games, collecting Pokémon cards, listening to Billie Eilish, and watching F1 racing, especially when Charles Leclerc was on the track. She also collected Funko Pops, enjoyed anime, watching movies, including the older IT and Spirited Away, collected crystals and gems, and loved reading manga. Remy had excellent taste, and she knew how to build a world around the things she loved. In a very real way, she turned hobbies into little treasures and interests into joy, which is a skill many adults never quite master.

Remy had a personality that could be both soft and sparkly, calm and full of life. She was the kind of person who could make a simple moment feel special, whether she was talking about her favorite racer, showing off a card collection, or getting excited about a new find for her shelf. She had a way of making her interests feel important, because to her they were important, and that kind of sincerity is one of the most beautiful things a person can offer. If love had a soundtrack, hers might have included Billie Eilish, the roar of an F1 engine, and the unmistakable sound of someone carefully opening a fresh pack of Pokémon cards with great hope and even greater suspense.

Those who knew Remy will remember her for her sweetness, her gentle nature, and the love she gave so freely. She was selfless in a way that showed up in the small things, the thoughtful things, the things that often go unnoticed until they are gone. She was loving in a way that made people feel safe. She was gentle in a way that never looked weak, only kind. And she was deeply, unmistakably herself, which is perhaps the most beautiful thing any person can be.

Though her time here was far too short, Remy Charlotte Somers leaves behind a legacy of love, tenderness, and cherished memories. Her family and friends will carry her in their hearts, in their stories, and in the quiet moments when they remember her laugh, her interests, her sweetness, and the way she made the world feel a little softer. She will be remembered always with love, with gratitude, and with the kind of smile that comes from remembering someone who was truly one of a kind.

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

Jay Kevin Darlin

Jay Kevin Darlin, who was born on December 9, 1961, in Kokomo, Indiana, and passed away on September 16, 2026, in Kokomo, Indiana, lived a life marked by kindness, friendship, and thoughtfulness.

He was born to Wilma Jean and James Richard Darlin, who preceded him in death. Jay was a beloved son, brother, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather whose presence brought comfort and warmth to those around him. He is survived by his daughters Jessica Darlin and Lindsey Waddell, his grandchildren Breana and Aiden, his great-grandchildren Raylynn and Skylynn, as well as his sister Janet Rector, and his brother James Darlin, as well several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jay graduated from Kokomo High School and carried the values of his hometown with him throughout his life. Those who knew him will remember his kind heart, his friendly spirit, and the thoughtful way he approached both family and friendship.

In his free time, Jay loved to go fishing, hunting, and watch NASCAR. These interests brought him joy and gave him time to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Whether he was spending time outdoors or following the excitement of a race, he found happiness in the moments that reflected his love of nature, tradition, and family connection.

Jay will be remembered for the love he shared and the memories he created with those closest to him. His family and friends will hold close the many moments of laughter, support, and companionship that he gave so freely.

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

Alicia Renee Ward

After living with a long‑term illness, Alicia Renee Ward passed peacefully on September 15, 2026, surrounded by the family she adored. Born on February 9, 1972, in White County, Indiana, to Cynthia K. Gibbs and Nathan E. Ward, Alicia was the third of four daughters.

Alicia graduated from Twin Lakes High School in 1988. She worked for Wabash National and then Caterpillar. She loved watching movies, especially if they had Adam Sandler or Drew Barrymore in them. She was obsessed with drinking Dr. Pepper. She enjoyed spending time at home. Despite distance and differences, Alicia loved her family unconditionally and without regret. Her memory will bloom in every story told, every kindness offered, and every moment of courage inspired by her example.

Alicia leaves behind her mother Cynthia (Ray) Bixler; two sons Nick Ward and Nate Jensen (Dalton Edwards); and her daughter Taylor Jensen (Taylor Keenoy). They were shaped by her tenderness, her laughter, and her quiet strength. Her greatest blessings were her grandchildren—Dylan, Asia, Pheonix, Ayla, and Karsyn—each one a light she nurtured with endless love.

She was preceded in death by her father and her sister Denise Ward.

A private ceremony will be held at a later date. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with cremation. In lieu of flowers, Alicia’s family has set up an account for her grandchildren, continuing the compassion and care she showed throughout her life, the contributions will be in the care of the funeral home and may be made out to Shirley & Stout Funeral Home.