Jack Franklin Elkin, Thomas Charles Farr, Walter Lee Fletcher, Kenneth Howard Birdsong, Phyllis J. Thompson, Alan “Squeak” Leo Rott, Andrew “Andy” Ryan McLeod
Jack Franklin Elkin
Jack Franklin Elkin, 88, of Kokomo, passed away at 12:51 a.m. on Friday, September 25, 2026, at Ascension St. Vincent Heart Center in Carmel. He was born December 25, 1937, in Shelbyville, to Jesse and Catherine (Rowe) Elkin. On February 1, 1992, he married Judith “Judy” W. (Welte) Elkin, at the Grand Heights Baptist Church in Fairborn, Ohio, and she survives.
Jack graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1955. After graduation, he proudly served in the United States Marine Corps, serving two years as a Marine guard in Athens, Greece, and attaining the rank of ASgt before being honorably discharged in 1960. He then went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University in 1965 and later his master’s degree in business administration from Central Michigan University in 1997. His education and work history brought him to Wright Patterson Air Force Base, where he worked as a civilian engineer for the United States Air Force until his retirement in 2000.
Jack cherished his family and loved taking care of his wife Judy. He and Judy enjoyed travelling, especially to Arkansas and Florida. They owned a home in Cedar Key, Florida, for many years, where Jack was a member and deacon of Cedar Key Baptist Church, and he and Judy enjoyed going to educational conferences for the Baptist church. Jack was also an active member of Westside Baptist Church in Kokomo, a member of the Marine Corps League, Albert E. Shockey Detachment #960 in Kokomo, and a lifetime member of the VFW.
In addition to his wife, survivors include his children Catherine Elkin, Elizabeth Ann (Dan) Cmiel, Carolyn Elkin, Matthew (Hillarie) Elkin, and Michael (Jennifer) Elkin; grandchildren Matthew (Cameryn Barbeau) Cmiel, Amy Cmiel, Jim Elkin, Nathan Elkin, Whitney Wampler, Jacob Elkin, Kylie (Blake) Schwieters, Liesl Elkin, Nathanael Elkin, Isaac Elkin, Cason (Jenna) Elkin, Ashley (Mason Ropp) Elkin, and Olivia (Ryan) Abshire; nine great-grandchildren, with one more due in January that Jack would have been thrilled to meet; brother-in-law James Lee Welte; and cousin Eva Egerton.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three siblings Roberta Marcille Keppel Lyons, Janet Maxine Dyer, and James Richard Elkin; and his favorite grandpa Winfield Franklin Elkin.
Funeral services will be held at noon on Monday, September 28, 2026, at Westside Baptist Church, 3330 W. 100 S., Kokomo, with Pastor Chuck Roberts officiating. Military honors will be provided by the United States Marine Corps and the Kokomo VFW Military Rites Team. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10 a.m. to noon on Monday at the church. Private burial will take place in Kokomo Memorial Park Cemetery.
Contributions may be made in Jack’s memory to Westside Baptist Church. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.stoutandson.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Stout & Son Funeral Home in Russiaville.
Thomas Charles Farr
Thomas Charles Farr passed on September 25, 2026, at the age of 76.
A Memorial Gathering will be held at Ellers Community Mortuary & Memorial Center, Inc., 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo, IN 46902, on September 29, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
A Celebration of Life will take place at Ellers Community Mortuary & Memorial Center, Inc., 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo, IN 46902, US, on September 29, 2026, beginning at 5:00 p.m.
Walter Lee Fletcher
Walter Lee Fletcher, 55, of Kokomo, passed away Friday, September 25, 2026, at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital, Kokomo. He was born January 25, 1971, in Kokomo. He was the son of James T. Fletcher and Clara Mae (McClain) Fletcher.
On August 18, 2026, in Kokomo, Walter married Lori G. (Lemons) Fletcher, and she survives.
Walter attended trade school to become a truck driver. He worked as a truck driver in the transportation industry and later performed maintenance work for a local trailer park. He was a member of Merced Missionary Baptist Church in Merced, California. Walter enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, fishing, and mushroom hunting.
Along with his wife Lori, Walter is survived by his mother Clara; children Kimberly Shyann (Josh) Brown and Katlin (Logan) Long; stepchildren Noah Gallaher and Breann Gallaher; grandchildren Peyton Stephen Brown, Violla Long, and Isaiah Long; and brothers Clarence David Fletcher and James S. Fletcher.
Walter was preceded in death by his father James T. Fletcher and his nephew Dakota Scott Fletcher.
Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo. The funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. at the funeral home, with Rev. Larry Ray McClain officiating. Burial will follow in Barnett Cemetery, Kokomo.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to assist the family with final expenses in care of Shirley & Stout Funeral Homes. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Kenneth Howard Birdsong
Kenneth Howard Birdsong, 75, passed away at his home on September 23, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was born February 27, 1951, in Shiloh, Arkansas, the son of Kenneth Birdsong and Geraldine (Majors) Birdsong Brady. On September 28, 1968, he married Karen Marlene (Preston) Birdsong in Kokomo, Indiana. They shared 34 years of marriage before she preceded him in death in 2003.
He was a proud United States Army veteran who attained the rank of Sergeant and spent part of his service stationed in Germany. He later built a long career at Chrysler, where he worked in skilled trades, including toolmaking and working in the gauge crib. After 33 years with Chrysler, he retired on February 27, 2004.
Outside of work, some of his greatest pleasures were the simple things. More than anything, he loved being Grandad. He loved his yard, watching and caring for his birds and squirrels, and spending time with his dog Delilah. He didn’t need anything elaborate to be content. Home, family, his animals, his yard, and the people he loved were the things that mattered.
There will never be another man quite like him. His family will miss his honesty, his generosity, his inappropriate comments, his stubbornness, his humor, and even those things he said that made everyone look at each other and think, “Did he really just say that?” He probably did. And if you knew him, you’re probably smiling right now.
He was preceded in death by his wife Karen Birdsong; his parents Kenneth Birdsong and Geraldine “Gerri” Brady; his daughter Sarah Birdsong; his granddaughter Harper Rose; and his sisters Darlene Spencer and Beverly Ann Williams.
He is survived by his children Zackariah (Lori) Birdsong and Hannah Rae (Cory) Dowden; his grandchildren Dayton Birdsong, Noah Birdsong, Brayden Echelbarger, Harlee Dowden, Cory Dowden Jr., and Colten Dowden; his sisters Elaine (Steve) Bishop, Lori A. (Conde) Echelbarger, Carol L. Hicks, Kathryn Elaine (Gary) Conn, Sherry Salinas, and his longtime partner and beloved “Uber driver” Karen Moore; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, October 2, 2026, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo, with Pastor Michael Young officiating. Burial will follow in Kokomo Memorial Park Cemetery, with military honors provided by the United States Army and the Kokomo VFW. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., Thursday, October 1, 2026, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, cancer.org. Messages of condolence may be made at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Phyllis J. Thompson
Phyllis J. Thompson, 80, of Akron, Indiana, passed on Thursday, September 24, 2026 at Chase Center of Logansport, Indiana
Phyllis was born on July 9, 1946, in Rochester, Indiana, to the late Lloyd W. and Rachel (Conrad) Craig. She was a 1964 graduate of Akron High School, she married the love of her life Dennis L. Thompson on June 16, 1964, in Rochester. They shared many happy years together until his passing on April 18, 2017.
Children were truly the center of Phyllis’s life. She devoted much of her life to caring for children. She lovingly opened her heart and home as a longtime caregiver for many families in the Akron area. Later, she worked with children at Wee Care Children’s Ministries through the Akron Church of God. She was also an active member of Akron United Methodist Church, where she enjoyed playing the piano for children’s programs and participating in Bible School. Phyllis also was a former Girl Scout leader.
She loved tending her flowers and was well known for baking fresh cookies each week for the children. Together, Phyllis and Denny enjoyed camping, attending ball games, and going to NASCAR races. She also enjoyed spending time outdoors hiking and exploring nature. A tradition for family and friends was her annual Fourth of July celebration, hosted on her porch along the parade route.
She is survived by her daughters Angie and husband Jon Martin of Akron and Robyn Thompson and husband John Prokop of Denver, Colorado; grandchildren Maribeth Nelson, Marissa Reed, Jon Martin II, Corbin Prokop, and Peyton Prokop; great grandchildren Kaia, Jude, Jonah, Eleanor, Theo, and Dax; sisters Karen Sommers of Logansport and Wanda Brower of Rochester; brother Alan and wife Marilyn Craig of Russiaville; and brother-in-law Ron Thompson.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, husband Denny, and brothers-in-law Donald Sommers, Daniel Brower, and Robert Thompson.
The funeral service will take place at 5:00 p.m., Friday, October 2, 2026, at Hartzler Funeral Home, 305 West Rochester Street, Akron, Indiana.
Visitation hours will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, October 2, 2026, at Hartzler Funeral Home, Akron, Indiana.
Memorial contributions can be made in her memory to the Wee Care Children’s Ministries.
Alan “Squeak” Leo Rott
Alan “Squeak” Leo Rott, 74, of Washington, passed away on September 24, 2026. Alan, son of the late Otto Rott and Agnes nee Kandlbinder, was born on January 15, 1952, in Washington, Missouri. He received his education from Washington High School. Alan proudly and honorably served his country as a member of the United States Army.
In his younger years, Squeak enjoyed playing co-ed softball, horseshoes, playing pool, fishing, and camping with his friends and family. He always had a love for photography, gardening, and learning about the local history of the town of Washington and surrounding areas. He enjoyed reading the local Missourian newspaper for many years. He was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan. You could often find him sitting in his recliner watching the Cardinals on TV. It was one of the simple things that brought him happiness. He loved cruising down by the Washington Riverfront en route to Lions Lake before returning back home. You could always count on him to have the weather report readily available for the day or the whole week!
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers Glenn “Bull” Rott and Ricky Rott, and brother-in-law Bill Struttmann.
Among his survivors are four children Leah Otto and husband Steve of Washington, MO, Kelly O’Connell and husband Kevin of Labadie, MO, Kari Hassan of Boston, MA, and Anthony Rott and wife Brittany of Washington, MO; three siblings Shirley Struttmann of Washington, MO, Freddie Rott (and Charlene) of Kokomo, IN, and Frankie Rott of Washington, MO; 12 grandchildren Kadin, Kaya, Kallie, Mahaliah, Kloey, Norah, Neunie, Serean, Hanif, Charley, Eleanor, and Maizie; special family friend Brenda Trentmann, nieces and nephews, other relatives, and many friends.
In his final days, he was surrounded by the love and presence of his children who let him know just how deeply he was loved.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, October 4, 2026, from 2-5 p.m. at Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home. Memorial Mass will begin at 10 a.m. on Monday, October 5, 2026, at the St. Francis Borgia Church. Interment will be at the St. Francis Borgia Cemetery.
Memorial donations will be given to the Washington Historical Society and the American Legion Post 218 Baseball team in his honor.
Arrangements in care of Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home, Washington, MO.
Andrew “Andy” Ryan McLeod
Andrew “Andy” Ryan McLeod, 35, passed away on September 22, 2026. He was born on August 7, 1991, to Robert and Rhonda McLeod.
Andy was a beloved husband, son, brother, and friend. If you knew Andy, you probably laughed with him. He could turn an ordinary day with friends into a story people would still be telling years later. He was fiercely loyal, stubborn in the best ways, unapologetically himself, and always there when the people he loved needed him—no questions asked.
Andy loved gaming and spending time with his beloved wife Harley and his friends and family. Nothing meant more to him than the people he loved.
He was preceded in death by his brother Richard McLeod; his maternal grandparents William Arvel Penley and Lorene Radford Penley; his paternal grandparents Earl Graf and Hong Graf; and his paternal grandmother Peggy McLeod Sawyer.
He is survived by his wife Harley; his parents Robert and Rhonda McLeod; his brother Kevin McLeod; and his mother-in-law Crystal LaVallee. His extended family includes his maternal uncles William C. Penley, Jeffrey S. Penley, and Paul J. Penley, and his maternal aunt Arvelene Penley Hudgins.
Andy also leaves behind his lifelong best friend Tim Pawlak and Tim’s family, whom he considered his chosen family, along with the many friends whose lives were brighter because he was part of them.
Thirty-five years was nowhere near enough. Andy will be remembered in the stories told about him, the traditions he helped create, and all the little moments that now mean more than anyone ever expected them to.
Date and time of Andy’s service will be announced.