Thomas "Tom" Leo Carpenter

Thomas "Tom" Leo Carpenter, 71, a lifelong resident of Kokomo, Indiana passed away on Sunday, December 24, 2023. He was born June 11, 1952, to the late Lester and Elsie Carpenter.

Tom is survived by his siblings Debby Willis, Donna (Ray) Shields, Bill (Rosie) Carpenter of Texas; Sister-in-law Marty Carpenter of Florida; children Christina Carpenter, Elizabeth Bird, Thomas Leo Carpenter Jr.; grandchildren Andrea Miranda, Izebelle Bird, Joshua Bird, Tommi Leah Carpenter; great grandchild Thomas Lee Bird; aunt Marie Carpenter; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents Tom is preceded in death by his siblings Ed Carpenter, Lester (Billie Sue) Carpenter, Jim Carpenter, Shannon Carpenter; and brother-in-law Donald Willis.

A visitation for Tom will be held Friday, December 29, 2023, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Ellers Mortuary, 725 S. Main Street, Kokomo, Indiana 46901. He will be laid to rest in Crown Point Cemetery, 1101 E Sycamore Street, Kokomo, Indiana 46901 following the visitation.

Donald Taylor

Donald Taylor, 81, of Walton, passed away Monday, December 25, 2023, at Chase Center in Logansport. Don was born June 17, 1942, in Lafayette, Indiana to Roy Glen and Opal K. (Altice) Taylor. His wife Donna M. (Graves) Taylor preceded him in death August 27, 2023.

Don was a heavy equipment operator for many years working for the union. He served his country in the United States Air Force and later in the United States Army. He enjoyed woodworking, auto racing, playing drums for several local bands and spending time with his family and grandchildren.

Surviving family include his children, Denise (Robert) Name, Roy (Joy) Taylor, Teresa Taylor, Adam (Samantha) Taylor, Aaron Taylor, Justin (Ashley) Small, Heather Tincher, Jessica (Steve) Walker, Josh (Heather) Holley and special son, Jeremy Jamison. He is also survived by several grandchildren, Andrea Taylor, Angela Freeman, Jeffrey Taylor, Amanda Taylor, Daniel Taylor, Andrew Taylor, Melissa Taylor, Jay Taylor, Charlotte Taylor, Justin Taylor, Madison Taylor, Mia Taylor, Zayden Johns, Zayvier Cree, Harmony Small, Chandler Campbell, Chasidy (Johnny) Lean, Cody Tincher, Christian (Kaycie) Tincher, Patrick Holley, Conner Walker, Braiden Holley, Bailey Holley, and Branha Holley. Surviving great grandchildren include, Emily Taylor Freeman, Aspyne Lea, Elias Lea and Maya Campbell. One brother also survives, Larry Taylor of Walton. Don is preceded in death by his parents, Roy Glen and Opal K. Taylor and brother, Jim Taylor.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 29, 2023, at Stars of Light Church, 809 S. Elizabeth St. Kokomo, IN. 46901 with Pastor Tim Tranbarger officiating.

Murray Weaver Funeral Home in Galveston has been entrusted with arrangements. www.murrayweaverfuneralhome.com

Michael James “Mike” Bentzler

Michael James “Mike” Bentzler, 68, of Kokomo, passed away at 1:20 a.m. on Saturday, December 23, 2023, at his home. He was born December 14, 1955, in South Bend, to Logan and Shirley (Freshour) Bentzler. On October 15, 1983, he married Debra Fay Bryant, in Kokomo, and she survives.

Mike graduated from Taylor High School in 1974 and went on to serve in the Army National Guard as a Recruiting and Retention NCO for over twenty years, retiring in 1998 as a Sergeant First Class. During his military career he was awarded several medals and accommodations, including a Meritorious Service Medal, an Army Achievement Medal, and the Army Good Conduct Medal. He had also worked at Delco Electronics.

In addition to his wife, Debra Bentzler, survivors include his son, Ryan Bentzler; grandson, Michael Bentzler; brothers, Dennis (Jody) Bentzler, Kokomo, Rickey (Janet) Bentzler, Huntsville, Alabama, Joey (Kim) Bentzler, Kokomo, and David Bentzler, Kokomo; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Rusty; and sister, Linda.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Rd., Kokomo, with Pastor Jason Grant officiating. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 9 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will take place at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, at Marion National Cemetery, with military honors provided by the United States Army and the Kokomo VFW Military Rites Team. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Frances "Inez" Pattengale

Frances "Inez" Pattengale, 91, went to be with the Lord and to be reunited with the love of her life on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at St. Vincent Hospital in Kokomo, Indiana. Inez was born to the late Clarence and Ellen Cameron on December 30, 1931 and graduated from Galveston High School.

Inez married the love of her life and best friend, Robert "Bob" Pattengale who preceded her in death on August 18, 1950. She retired from St. Joseph Hospital where she worked in the insurance department. After retirement, she worked a St. Joseph at Home and in the St. Joseph Urgent care. She was a member of the Zeta Chapter Tri Chi Sorority since July 21, 1963. She attended the 1st Assembly of God Church.

She was the matriarch of her family and was loved very much. She enjoyed all sports and loved spending time cheering her grandchildren and great grandchildren on in any sport they played. She enjoyed being outdoors and loved listening to music.

Inez is survived by her children, Robert "Bob" (Darla) Pattengale, Teri (Danny) Nicholls, and Jeff Pattengale. Inez leaves a legacy of seven grandchildren, Trisha (Nick) Hand, Kokomo, Daniel (Abbie) Nicholls, Kokomo, Robert "Robbie" (Stephanie) Pattengale, Kokomo, Jason (Tram) Pattengale, Brentwood, CA, Ashley Nicholls, Kokomo, Lauren (Austin) Rutherford, Kokomo and Evan (Alle) Pattengale, Noblesville. She also leaves behind 11 great-grandchildren, Gwendolyn Hand, Karson, Kaylee, Aria and Asher Pattengale, Easton and Cooper Rutherford, Dylan and Johnathon Nicholls, Ezra Nicholls and Jayden Pattengale arriving in February 2024. She is also surviving by her sister Ida Mae (Bill) Cavanaugh.

She is preceded in death by her husband Robert E. Pattengale, her parents, 2 brothers Clarence and James Cameron, and her best friend Peggy and husband Lowell Beck.

Visitation will be 5:00 - 7:00 PM Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home. Funeral services 10:00 AM Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at the funeral home with Pastor Dave Mygrant Officiating. Entombment will follow at Sunset Memory Garden Mausoleum. Share a memory with the family at www.sunsetmemorygarden.com.

Jesse Lee Williams

Jesse Lee Williams, 77, of Kokomo, passed away at 7:27 am on Sunday, December 24, 2023, at Waterford Place Health Campus- Kokomo. He was born on April 24, 1946, the son of Joseph and Hattie (Underwood) Williams. On October 16, 1976, he married Nancy Keefer, and she survives.

Jesse graduated from Wabash High School in 1965 and then received an associate degree from Vincennes University in 1996. He then went on to have a career in the United States Army National Guard earning the rank MSG. Jesse loved to fish, and trips to Jamaica. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and going on vacation with his family. Jesse was a member of the American Legion Post 15-Wabash, and the Disabled American Veterans. He was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash on April 15, 2003, for his service in the National Guard.

Along with his wife, Nancy, he is survived by his children, Jason (Leslie) Meeks, Scott (Ann) Williams, Jared Williams, Kristen (Gary) Southworth; grandchildren, Zach (Brooke) Gloeckler, Brandon Meeks, Brayden Williams, Kaiden Williams, Gabriel Williams, Landon Williams, Isabelle Southworth, Sophia Williams, and Ian Southworth; great grandchildren, Adalyn Gloeckler, Callie Gloeckler, and Paislee Meeks; and siblings, Fern Riley and Zelbert (Nancy) Williams.

Preceding Jesse in death were his parents, siblings, Dennis Williams, Helen Shoemaker, Katherine Treska, Lyman Williams, George Williams, and Charles Williams.

A funeral Service will be held at 10:30 am on January 4, 2024, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Rd, Kokomo, with Pastor John Murdoch officiating. Burial will follow at 1:00 pm in Marion National Cemetery with military rites provided by the Kokomo VFW, and United States Army. Memorial contributions may be made to the Howard County Vietnam Veterans Organization. Messages of condolences may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Rhomalda RoRo Malone

Rhomalda RoRo Malone was born on Oct. 26, 1945, and passed on Dec. 21, 2023. Little by little, we let go of loss, but never of love. A funeral service for Rhomalda will be held on Sat., Jan. 6, at 11 a.m. at Second Missionary Baptist Church, 818 N. Apperson Way. Visitation will take place from 9 a.m. until time of service.

Sabrina Lorene Gravely

Sabrina Lorene Gravely, 51, of Greentown, Indiana, passed away peacefully at her home on December 19, 2023. Born on July 13, 1972, Sabrina was the eldest daughter of Tommy Gravely and Sandra Manns.

She was a 1990 graduate of Whiting High School. In 2000, Sabrina graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Elementary Education. She was an avid horse lover and was a member of the Purdue Equestrian team during her college years. Sabrina was currently enrolled at Purdue University Global pursuing her MBA. While she lost many years to her struggles with addiction, she will not be defined by them or her mistakes. She was proudly demonstrating to others her current successes and her drive to make forgiveness. While she needed help many times, she was always willing to help others when she could. She wanted to speak out to other women and help them learn from her experiences. Sabrina lived her life out loud and the world was her stage. She had a way of commanding and most likely taking over any room that she entered. She was passionate about music, especially singing and playing guitar. If you knew her, you definitely heard her sing. Sewing, crafting, and journaling were also among her many talents and hobbies. An entrepreneur at heart, she was always trying to self-start a business, whether it be tutoring or life coaching. She had a strong faith and continued her courageous fight to never give up until the end. She attended Greentown Wesleyan Church for the past few years. Sabrina’s greatest accomplishment of all was becoming a mother. She loved her family deeply and desperately wanted to make them proud.

She is survived by her children Jacob Gravely, Isaac Claxton, Tommy Claxton, her father, sister Kelly (Keith) Zaremba, partner Luno Shifflett, step brother Shawn (Dana) Donley, nephews John Dosen and Shawn T. Donley, nieces Kala (Marcus) Cruz, and Sabrina Donley. Sabrina was preceded in death by her mother, step mother Brenda Gravely, and her grandparents.

A celebration of life will be planned at a later date. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you share a moment or story of Sabrina’s life where she brought you joy or happiness so her children will know and remember her positive moments. City of Firsts Cremation & Funeral Services has been entrusted with the arrangements.