David Arthur Young, Kevin Lee Kerr, Kimberly C. Kirkwood, Barry Barner, Robert Richard Dawson

David Arthur Young

David Arthur Young, 84, formerly of Kokomo, IN, passed away on Friday, October 23, 2026, at the Center for Hospice Raclin House in Mishawaka, IN. He was born on November 3, 1941, in Forest, IN, to David and Evelyn Young.

Upon graduating from high school, David enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he worked as a mechanic taking care of B-52 bombers. It was during this time that he learned about engine building, a hobby he continued to pursue throughout his life. He also had a love for drag racing. David worked for Delphi Electronics, a division of General Motors, building electronics for vehicles. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

David is survived by his children April (Matthew) Park and Jason (Galyn) Young; grandchildren Madeleine and Benjamin Park, and Milah, Garon and Nolan Young; and sister Joy Hickey. He was preceded in death by his parents David and Evelyn Young and siblings Jerry Young and Madelene Wisehart.

David will be buried at Marion National Cemetery in Marion, IN, with military honors on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46514 is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com

Kevin Lee Kerr

Kevin Lee Kerr, 58, Kokomo, passed away at 5:38 p.m. Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at Kokomo Healthcare. He was born on December 22, 1967, in Bloomington, IN, to Dr. Gerald and Beth Kerr.

Kevin was a 1986 honors graduate of Kokomo High School. He had a love for music. He played trumpet and flugelhorn in the marching, concert, pep, and jazz bands where he valued his leadership and friendships. Kevin attended Grace United Methodist Church. He often called himself a “superhero nerd,” as he loved comics, superheroes, and all things associated with pop culture of that genre. He also loved everything Disney and considered Walt Disney World one of his favorite places on Earth.

Kevin studied at Indiana University. His career was primarily in the food services. In Kokomo, Kevin will be remembered for the joy he brought to the West Sycamore Pizza Hut as a manager, with a wonderful staff, for many years. Kevin let his Grandpa Noble and several retired men gather for the West Sycamore Pizza Hut Coffee Club. They loved having a good visit over coffee before the doors were open to customers each day.

He moved away from Kokomo. Kevin’s passion for cooking and baking steered him to becoming an excellent, innovative chef. He enjoyed sharing his cooking with his family. One of the loves of his life was beloved dog Kirby, who stuck by him like Velcro.

In recent years, Kevin was a Peer Recovery Specialist who coached others who were battling the demons of alcohol and substance abuse. He offered a helping hand, a ride somewhere, a listening ear, and an open mind to his peers. His heart was big, and he cared deeply about others.

Kevin had two children: son Bennett Ray Kerr (Lora Schacht Ryan) and daughter Carlin Jane Annelise Kerr; and stepdaughters Kayleigh Jones and Lillian Jones (Laura Lines). He also had a granddaughter Erinn Dickson-Kerr. He loved his family dearly. Some of his best days and memories were spent with these amazing kids.

The past year and a half Kevin had kidney cancer and a brain tumor. His Aunt Nelle Marie Farinella Brown has loved him since he was a little boy and welcomed him into her home. She is an APRN and took wonderful care of him during his long recoveries. He was so grateful for the kindness she gave him; our family is incredibly thankful for her.

He is survived by his mother Beth Kerr; children Bennett (Morgen Dickson) Kerr, Carlin Kerr, Kayleigh Jones, and Lillian Jones; sister Carrie (Clint) Sheets; nephews Caleb, Ethan, and Nolan Sheets; aunt Nelle Marie Brown; cousins Walter C. Brown III and Hudson Brown, Mary Elizabeth (Sean) Cameron, Grace, Luke, Noah and Annabeth Cameron, Jodi Webb (Rick) Campbell, and Natalie and Nathan Campbell.

He was preceded in death by his father Dr. Gerald Kerr; sister Kelly Lynn Kerr; partner Lora Schacht Ryan; grandparents Harold and Betty Noble, Rev. Sal Farinel and Rev. Charles and Mildred Kerr; aunt Beverly Kerr (Joseph) Webb; and cousin Jeffrey Webb.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10 a.m.-noon on Monday, November 23, 2026, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo, IN 46902. A memorial service celebrating Kevin’s life will follow visitation.

Kimberly C. Kirkwood

Kimberly C. Kirkwood, age 56, of Marion, Indiana, passed away on October 28, 2026, in the same community where she was born on April 10, 1970. She was a loving, intelligent, and passionate woman whose life was marked by devotion to her family, her faith, and the work she cared about most.

Kimberly was born in Marion to Ramona and Stephen Showalter, and she carried the values of her upbringing throughout her life. She was a proud graduate of Eastbrook High School, Class of 1988, and continued her education with determination and purpose. She attended Ball State University and Ivy Tech, ultimately earning both an MBA and a nursing degree. Her commitment to learning reflected the thoughtful and driven person she was, and she approached every stage of life with perseverance and grace.

Her main passion was medical research and nursing, fields in which she found both meaning and fulfillment. Kimberly dedicated herself to caring for others and to the pursuit of knowledge that could improve lives. She believed deeply in the importance of compassion, service, and excellence, and those who knew her recognized the sincerity with which she lived out those values. Her work was not simply a career, but a calling that reflected her generous spirit and her desire to make a difference.

Kimberly was a child of God, and her faith was an important part of her life. It guided her through both joyful and difficult seasons and gave her strength, comfort, and hope. She lived with a quiet faith that was evident in the way she treated others, in the love she gave freely, and in the care she showed to those around her. Her life was a reflection of kindness and steadfast devotion.

She is survived by her parents Ramona and Stephen Showalter; her son Trevor Hiatt and his wife Brittany; her daughter Dariann Gretz; her brother Scott Showalter and his wife Sherry; and her beloved grandchildren Tygar, Tysan, and Helix Hiatt, Jovin Gretz, Everleigh Gretz; and nephews Jareth and Derek (Leah) Showalter. Kimberly treasured her family deeply, and her love for them was one of the greatest joys of her life. She found happiness in the moments shared with them and took great pride in the bonds they built together.

She was preceded in death by her son Jordan Hiatt, whom she loved dearly and remembered always. His memory remained close to her heart, and the love she held for him was a lasting part of her life story.

Kimberly also enjoyed the simple pleasures that brought warmth and creativity to her days. She loved crafting and crocheting, and these interests reflected her patience, creativity, and care. Through her hands and her heart, she created beauty in many forms, and those gifts will be remembered by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Those who knew Kimberly will remember her for her loving nature, her sense of humor, intelligence, and her passionate spirit. She leaves behind a legacy of faith, devotion, and quiet strength. Her life touched many, and her memory will continue to live on in the hearts of her family and friends.

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

Barry Barner

Barry Barner, 72, passed away on October 26, 2026, in Tipton, Indiana. He was born on November 7, 1953, in Monticello, Indiana, to Lowell and Marjorie (Harvey) Barner.

Barry graduated from North White Jr/Sr High School in Monon with the Class of 1972 and went on to attend Indiana University. A hardworking man, Barry spent his working years farming and as an owner/operator semi-truck driver. He understood the value of a hard day’s work and took pride in providing for his family.

Barry was someone others could always count on. Reliable and caring, he showed his love by being there when he was needed and taking good care of those closest to him. He shared an especially close bond with his mother, and his family held an important place in his heart. Alongside his strong work ethic was a wonderful sense of humor. Barry was very funny and had a way of bringing laughter to those around him.

Each year, Barry enjoyed heading out on camping adventures with his family. Yellowstone, Yosemite, Mount Rushmore, and the Dakotas were just a few among the places he loved to visit. These trips gave him time to step away from his work and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.

Left to carry on his legacy of love are his children Melissa Barner, Brian Barner, and Lisa Barner; grandchildren Bryce Ezell and Brianna Ezell; and sister Diane Martin.

Welcoming Barry into heaven were his parents Lowell and Marjorie Barner.

Taylor & Cowan Funeral Home is honored to serve Barry’s family in their time of need.

Robert Richard Dawson

Robert Richard Dawson, known to many as Bob, passed away on October 23, 2026, in Kokomo, Indiana, at the age of 88.

Bob was born on March 27, 1938, in Adams City, Colorado, to Cecil Dawson and Velma Dawson. He carried the values of his upbringing throughout his life and was known by those who loved him as an intelligent, creative, and kind man. His life was marked by dedication to his family, his craft, and the many people whose lives he touched through his work and friendship.

Bob graduated from Adams City High School and later went on to graduate from Brooks Institute of Photography, in Santa Barbara, CA, where he developed the skills and artistic eye that would guide his lifelong career. He also received his master later on, further demonstrating his commitment to learning and excellence. Photography was not simply a profession for Bob, but a true calling that allowed him to combine technical skill with artistic expression.

He served as a Senior Industrial Photographer for GM, where his work reflected both precision and creativity. In addition to his career in industrial photography, he worked as a freelance photographer and shared his knowledge as a private photography teacher. He was also a member of the Kokomo Art Works Gallery, where his appreciation for the arts found another meaningful outlet. Bob had a gift for seeing beauty in everyday moments, and he used that gift to create images that were thoughtful, lasting, and deeply personal.

Bob especially loved doing portraits for many people, and he took great pride in capturing the character and spirit of those he photographed. He was also an artist in his own right, enjoying painting and drawing, and he found satisfaction in making reproductions of photographs with care and skill. His creativity extended beyond his professional work and into all areas of his life, where he approached each project with patience, imagination, and attention to detail.

He also had a tender love for animals and enjoyed helping take care of cats. This gentle side of his personality was well known to those close to him and reflected the compassion that made him such a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend.

Bob married Michal Elaine Dawson on September 27, 1969, and together they shared many years of companionship and devotion. He was preceded in death by his parents Cecil Dawson and Velma Dawson, and by his son Rick Dawson, as well as his brother Cecil Dawson. He is survived by his wife Michal Elaine Dawson; his stepdaughter Suzanne Sharp and her husband David Tatro; his daughter-in-law Shannon Dawson; his grandchildren Katie, Kellan, Delaney, and Carrie; his great-grandchildren Charlotte and Ellenore; and his sister Dona Dawson.

Those who knew Bob will remember him for his steady presence, his artistic talent, and the quiet kindness he showed to others. He leaves behind a legacy of beautiful work, loving family, and a life lived with purpose and grace. His memory will continue to be cherished by all who were fortunate enough to know him.

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