Dennis Pickett, Delores M. Skiver, Gary Ward, Daniel Francis Magers, Clementine Barrow Lee, Carolyn Foster Carter Breymier, Bruce Hanke, Peggy Anne Reece Fisher Frye, Ronald F. Nutt
Dennis Pickett
Dennis Pickett, 75, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away on September 26, 2026. He was born September 16, 1951, in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, to the late Clayton and Beverly Pickett.
In high school, Dennis was known as a jock and a track star. He continued his active lifestyle by being an avid bowler. When he wasn’t playing sports himself, he was watching it on TV, especially if it was IU. After graduation, he attended a technical college in Kentucky, where he studied electrical engineering and built the foundation for a life shaped by skill, discipline, and hard work. From there, Dennis devoted his career to Delco Electronics, where he worked until his retirement.
At the heart of Dennis’s life was his family. He married his best friend Julie Kidwell, not once but three times. They built a life together full of love, laughter, and memories. He adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; they were his world, and he was theirs.
He is survived by his loving partner Julie Pickett; children Stacy Pickett and Christopher Pickett; grandchildren Seth Pickett, Devon Pickett, Mary Payne, Phoenix Pickett, and Karma Young; great-grandchildren Ezra Perrigen and Aria Young; siblings Jerry Pickett and Barb Starbuck; as well as several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Dennis is preceded in death by his brother Terry Pickett and nephew Terry Joe Pickett.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Ellers Mortuary, 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo, IN 46902, on September 30, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice Foundation of America, 5225 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 403, Washington, DC 20015.
Delores M. Skiver
Delores M. Skiver, 89, of Ayersville, passed away at 2:15 a.m., Sunday, September 27, 2026, at Glenn Park of Defiance. She was born May 14, 1937, in Larkin Township, Midland, MI, to the late Leroy S. and Dorothy M. (Wagner) Brand. On May 16, 1953, she married Randall Roy Skiver at the Chapel in the Garden, Angola, IN. He preceded her in death on November 5, 2022.
Survivors include five children: Steven (Marijo) Skiver of Kokomo, IN, Allan (Kathy) Skiver of Ayersville, Jerry (Tammy) Skiver, Tony (Dawn) Skiver, and Jannette (Robert) Kubica, all of Defiance; daughter-in-law Sandi Skiver; son-in-law Dean Siefker; 19 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; and in-laws Betty Brand and Kay Thomas.
In addition to her parents and husband, she is also preceded in death by two children Stanley Skiver and Beverly Siefker, and seven siblings Verna Brand-Thompson, Erma Brand, Evelyn Ellis, Betty Jean Brand, Harold Brand, Alice Brand, and Priscilla Brand.
Delores attended Midland High School, Midland, Michigan. She was in the Sturgeon Creek, MI, 4-H Club from 1945 to 1953. Delores worked as a waitress for Elardo Lunch Time and Frisch’s Big Boy for 11 years and sub-cooked for Defiance County Senior Center for seven years. She also worked in the kitchen at China Pearl for Fai Wing for seven years. She then worked another four years under Fai Wing in Archbold.
In her older years, Delores was a farmer’s wife and homemaker. She was a former member of Ayersville Methodist Church but in her later years attended and was baptized into the Church of Christ in Defiance. She was kind, generous, honest, strong, and always willing to give a helping hand. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy. She raised them properly and guided them in her faith.
Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, October 1, 2026, at Heitmeyer Funeral Home, Continental, with Pastor Paul Lambert officiating. Burial will follow in North Mt. Zion Cemetery, Continental. Visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday and 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to CHP Defiance Inpatient Hospice or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Condolences may be expressed at www.loveheitmeyer.com.
Gary Ward
Gary Ward, born November 8, 1952, passed away on September 27, 2026, at Brickyard Healthcare in Kokomo, Indiana.
Gary found comfort in the things he enjoyed; listening to Westerns on TV and listening to all kinds of music. He was a quiet man who often kept to himself, but he always had a way to get people’s attention. Simple kindness brought joy to him, and he will be remembered by the people who knew him.
Graveside services will take place on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Fairview Cemetery in Tipton, Indiana, with Pastor Steve Brown officiating.
Taylor & Cowan Funeral Home is honored to serve Gary’s family in their time of need.
Daniel “Danny” Francis Magers
Daniel “Danny” Francis Magers, 74, passed away on September 20, 2026, in Kokomo, Indiana. He was born on August 27, 1952, in Marion, Indiana, to Barbara Jean Magers and Sam Magers, both of whom preceded him in death.
Born and raised in Marion, Danny eventually made Kokomo his home, where he lived for the last seven years of his life.
Danny proudly served his country as a member of the United States Marine Corps. Throughout his life, he was a hard worker who knew how to make his own way. He worked at RCA and later spent many years bartending and managing several bars. Danny was a hustler at heart, and he took pride in knowing how to work hard, figure things out, and make things happen. One of the greatest things he passed down to his daughter was that same determination and ability to hustle.
Danny was a man who knew exactly who he was. He could be stubborn, set in his ways, and wasn’t always one to change his mind, and anyone who knew him probably wouldn’t have expected anything less. But those who loved Danny, loved him for exactly that. He lived life on his own terms and never pretended to be anyone other than himself.
He had a passion for knives and martial arts and was a huge Bruce Lee fan. He appreciated strength, skill, and independence, and those interests were a part of who he was throughout his life.
But above everything else, Danny loved being a father and grandfather.
He was the proud father of his one and only child Heather, who was his daughter, his family, and one of the people who knew him best. Danny taught Heather many things throughout her life, including how to hustle and never be afraid to find her own way. The lessons he gave her will stay with her forever.
His grandchildren were his world. He loved Ja’Shon, including Ja’Shon’s fiancée Abby, whom Danny loved as his own grandchild; Jayona; and Da’Rayah. He was also a proud great-grandfather to Deontae, Ro’Nyn, and De’Shon, and was looking forward to welcoming his great-granddaughter Journee, who is on the way.
Danny had a way of leaving an impression. He wasn’t perfect, and he never claimed to be. He was simply Danny; stubborn, determined, strong-willed, loving, and completely himself. And he was deeply loved for it.
One of Danny’s favorite sayings was, “I’m gonna live forever.”
Maybe, in his own way, he knew exactly what he was talking about.
Danny will live forever in the daughter he raised, in the grandchildren who were his world, in the great-grandchildren who carry his legacy forward, in the stories his family will tell, and in every lesson and memory he left behind.
Though he is no longer here, the mark he made on the people who loved him will never disappear.
Rest easy, Dad. You were stubborn, you were one of a kind, and you were loved exactly as you were. You really are going to live forever in all of us.
The family will receive visitors from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 2, 2026 at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral & Cremation Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, Indiana 46952.
Immediately following the time of visitation, a service to celebrate Daniel’s life will begin at 2:00 p.m. Burial will take place at a later date.
Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.
Clementine Barrow Lee
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Mrs. Clementine Barrow Lee, 78, Kokomo, at 5:52 p. m. on Fri., Sept. 25, in her home. Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers doing this difficult time.
A Celebration of Life for Mrs. Lee will take place Sat., Oct. 3, at 11 a.m. at Second Missionary Baptist Church, 818 N. Apperson Way, Kokomo. Visitation will take place from 9-11 a.m. prior to the service.
Carolyn Foster Carter Breymier
Carolyn Foster Carter Breymier, 90, of Albany, Indiana, formerly of Kokomo, was born on October 6, 1935, in Kokomo, Indiana, to Carl W. Foster Sr. and Mary F. (Duncan) Foster. She went home to be with her Lord and Savior on September 21, 2026, at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, surrounded by the love of her family and friends.
Carolyn shared 49 devoted years of marriage with her beloved husband Paul Carter. Together, they built a loving family and raised three children: Norman (Leslie) Carter, Greg (Beth) Carter, and Linda (Gary) Byron. After Paul’s passing, Carolyn was blessed to find love again with Howard Breymier, and she welcomed his four daughters into her heart as her own.
Carolyn’s greatest joy was her family. She was a proud and loving grandmother to nine grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren, each of whom held a special place in her heart.
For 30 years, Carolyn worked as an insurance agent, where her kindness and dedication earned her the trust of the many clients she served so faithfully.
Carolyn’s faith guided every part of her life, and she found deep purpose in serving others. As a member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Kokomo, she lovingly served in the church kitchen, helping to feed many families in need. For 10 years, she also led the church’s senior bus trips, sharing her sense of adventure and fellowship with friends as they traveled across the United States. Carolyn also cherished her Dunkirk Nazarene church family, where she gave generously of her time in the food pantry.
With her adventurous spirit and warm heart, Carolyn was always ready for the next outing with family and friends. She leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, and service, along with countless precious memories for all who knew her.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her husbands Paul Carter and Howard Breymier. Though she will be deeply missed by her family and friends here on earth, we take comfort in knowing she was ready to meet Jesus and has joyfully reunited with her loved ones in Heaven.
In Dunkirk, a memorial service celebrating Carolyn’s life will be held at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the Dunkirk Nazarene Church, 226 E. Center Street, Dunkirk.
In Kokomo, a memorial service celebrating Carolyn’s life will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, November 6, 2026, at One Church, 2734 S. Washington Street, Kokomo, with her granddaughter Nicole Dickey officiating. Burial will follow in New London Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Dunkirk Nazarene Church, 226 E. Center St., Dunkirk, IN 47336. Messages of condolence may be made at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Bruce Hanke
Bruce Hanke, born on January 16, 1959, in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, passed away on September 27, 2026, in Amboy, Indiana, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, humor, and devotion to the people he loved. He was a selfless, funny, and intelligent man whose presence brought warmth and steadiness to his family and friends throughout his life.
Bruce was the beloved son of the late Orion and Betty Hanke. He was also preceded in death by his wife Julia “Julie” Hanke and by his brothers Brad Hanke and Brian Hanke. He is survived by his children Nichola Dawn Hanke and Dominque, Jennifer Ruth Breeman and April, Cassie Marae Breed and Brandon, Kiera Lee Irvin and Gavoni, Herschel George Irvin IV and Kathryn, Dillon Michael Irvin, Lacey Gaye Breed, and Shonna Jean Breed. He also leaves behind an ever-growing number of grandchildren who were a source of great joy in his life. Bruce is survived by his sisters Rebecca Wright and Dave, and Penelope Hanke, his brother Brett Hanke and Ann, and several nieces and nephews who will remember him with love and affection.
Bruce spent his life building strong relationships and making meaningful contributions through his work. He was an IT Manager for H and H Food Services and also served as a consultant for IBM in Minnesota. His professional life reflected his intelligence, reliability, and ability to solve problems with calm determination. Those who worked with him knew him as someone who could be counted on, and he earned respect through both his skill and his steady character.
A graduate of Cook High School in 1977, Bruce later continued his education and graduated from DeVry University in 1996. He valued learning and carried that spirit of growth throughout his life. His education and career were important parts of his story, but they were never the whole of who he was. Bruce was a man who approached life with curiosity, practicality, and a thoughtful mind.
Bruce found great happiness in the simple and meaningful things in life. He loved fishing, woodworking, camping, and traveling, and he especially treasured time spent with his family. His grandbabies were his world, and he delighted in every moment he shared with them. He had a gift for making people laugh, and his dad jokes were truly epic. He also loved wolves, eagles, bears, and horses, and he was an avid Vikings fan who stood by his team with loyalty and enthusiasm.
Those who knew Bruce will remember his generous spirit, his sharp wit, and the way he made others feel welcome and valued. He had a deep love for his family and took great pride in the lives of those around him. Whether he was sharing a story, working with his hands, enjoying the outdoors, or simply spending time with those closest to him, Bruce lived with sincerity and heart. His life was marked by devotion, laughter, and a quiet strength that will continue to be felt by all who loved him.
Bruce Hanke will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered for his quotes I’ve got my eye on you and your corners are going up by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. His memory will live on in the hearts of those he touched, and his legacy of love, humor, and selflessness will remain a lasting comfort to those he leaves behind.
City of Firsts Cremation and Funeral Services by Rose and Geiger was entrusted with the arrangements. www.cityoffirstscremations.com
Peggy Anne Reece Fisher Frye
Peggy Anne Reece Fisher Frye, 83, passed away September 27, 2026. She was born February 12, 1943, in Peru, Indiana, to James R. Reece and Betty L. Smith Reece. James was killed in France in August 1944. Her mother then later married C. Clinton Fisher, who was Peggy’s beloved father for more than 67 years until his death in January 2012. She married her high school sweetheart Larry, December 22, 1962.
She is survived by her husband Larry H. Frye of Plainfield, Indiana; children Brian H. Frye of Avon, Indiana, Dr. Christopher (Melissa) Frye of Bargersville, Indiana, Alana (Greg) Vayhinger of Jacksonville, Florida, and Denisa (Kevin) Brock Irish of Plainfield, Indiana; her cherished grandchildren Dr. C. Corbin (Kati) Frye of Carmel, Indiana, Kaili Anne (Raymond) Humphrey of Bloomington, Indiana, Isabella Frye of Indianapolis, Indiana, Brayton Vayhinger of Neptune Beach, Florida, Evan Brock of Indianapolis, Indiana, Jace (Callie) Vayhinger of Plainfield, Indiana, and Josephine Frye of Bargersville, Indiana; her precious great-grandchildren Rhen and Rowan Humphrey of Bloomington, Indiana, and Lerner and Crimson Frye of Carmel, Indiana; her sister-in-law Lynda K. Ramey of Franklin, Indiana; aunt Marilyn Shreve of Kokomo, Indiana; sister Susan (Don) Leicht of Peru, Indiana; and several wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins, and “Special Daughter” Kerri (Walt) Frye Anstead.
Peggy graduated from Bunker Hill High School in 1961 and attended Ball State Teachers College. She also worked for both the Edinburgh and Maconaquah school corporations. She worked for both Ron Reed Realty and Century 21 Real Estate Companies in Peru, Indiana, and Godby Home Furnishings in Avon, Indiana. She was a longtime member of the Bunker Hill United Methodist Church and longtime attendee of Plainfield Christian Church. There will be a cremation and then burial at Springdale Cemetery in Bunker Hill, Indiana. There will be no services.
Ronald F. Nutt
Ronald F. Nutt passed on September 22, 2026. Born on January 22, 1941, in Kokomo, Indiana, he graduated from Kokomo High School and entered the U.S. Army in 1959. He served in Seoul, South Korea 1960-1961. He was employed at Delco Electronics, retiring after 30 years of service.
Ronald was the son of Forrest C. and Maxine (Bachelor) Nutt, who preceded him in death. He married Mary Lou (Henry) James on September 2, 1978, and she survives.
He leaves behind his wife Mary Lou; two children and two stepchildren Lisa Butler, Jon Nutt, James (Kathlene) James of Carmel, and Joni James of Elwood; five wonderful grandchildren Jacob Pickard, Jeremy Dellahay, Jessica (Wes) Newton, Mary (Jennings) Banter, and Tara (Steve) Gillespie; one truly “great” granddaughter Marlee Newton; one sister Donna (Roger) Shrock; as well as many nieces and nephews. His brother Rick Nutt preceded him in death.
Ron was a 3rd Degree Mason and Past Master of Napthali Lodge #389 in Center, Indiana.
He was the most loving, gentle, caring husband, dad, and grandpa. If you knew him, you couldn’t help but to love him. From Mary Lou, “You made me who I am. I love you, honey.”
Private services were held for Ron, and he was laid to rest at Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery.