Jill Ann Gibson

Jill Ann Gibson, 49, Greentown, Passed away at 10:53 a.m. Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at Community Howard Regional Health. She was born October 7, 1974, in Kokomo to Wendell H. and Cindy L. (Pickering) Gibson.

Jill was a 1993 Eastern High School Graduate and went on to earn her cosmetology license. She enjoyed doing hair and was proud of working for her dad driving a truck for the United States Postal Service. Jill loved life and had a vibrant personality. She enjoyed retail therapy and lived by the saying, “if the shoe fits, buy it”. Jill has always loved having the companionship of a dog throughout the years. She is survived by her best friend, Thor. She will be deeply missed by her many friends and family.

She is survived by her mom, Cindy Gibson; siblings, Wendy (Ryan) Howell, William Gibson, Melinda (Kent) Young, Hugh (Cindy) Gibson, and Melisa Harnish; ex-husband, B.J. Butcher; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her dad, Wendell Gibson and brother, Daniel Gibson.

Funeral services celebrating Jill’s life will be at Noon Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Christian Life Fellowship, 1009 Holiday Dr, Greentown with Pastor Gary Hoover officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday and 10:00 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church. Hasler & Stout Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left at www.hasler-stout.com.

Johnny B. Burnette

Johnny B. Burnette, age 83, of Kokomo passed away on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.

A public visitation for Johnny will be held Saturday, March 2, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home & Cemetery, 2097 West Alto Road, Kokomo, Indiana 46902. A funeral service will occur Saturday, March 2, 2024, at 1:00 PM, 2097 West Alto Road, Kokomo, Indiana 46902. A burial will occur Saturday, March 2, 2024, at 1:45 PM at Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery.

Francis Edward Maxwell

Francis Edward Maxwell, 86, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away February 27, 2024. He was born November 5, 1937, in Lafayette, Indiana. He was the son of Charles Clayton Maxwell and Bernice Louise (Tyrrell) Maxwell. Fran married Judith Ann Pearson, the love of his life, on February 24, 1962, at Saint Joan of Arc Church.

Fran graduated from Saint Joan of Arc School in the class of 1951. He graduated from Kokomo High School in the class of 1955. He also graduated from Credit Union National Association School for Credit in the class of 1981 and Credit Union National Association financial counseling school in the class of 1982. He served in the US Army from 1957-1959.

Fran retired from Lakes Federal Credit Union as Treasurer/Manager after 24 years in 2003. In March 2015, Fran was elected President of the Board of Directors at Lakes Federal Credit Union. He served on the board for over 45 years, from September 1978 – present.

He also served as Tecumseh Chapter President for 10 years, Indiana Credit Union League Director for 18 years, and 2 of those years as Chairman of the Board. He was a past member of Indiana Credit Union Government Affairs Committee, past CUNA National Director, past Cuna District Chairman, and past Chairman of the Stabilization Reserve Board of Trustees ICUL. Fran was elected a member of Indiana Credit Union Hall of Fame in 1996.

Fran was a past member of the Board of Directors of the Howard County Easter Seals Society and past member of the local Board of Selective Service, Draft Board, for 15 years. He attended Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church where he served as an usher for over 20 years and had been a member since 1941.

He enjoyed the month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with his daughter Beth and nephew Caleb. He collected autographs, stamps, and Challenger space disaster covers.

Preceding him in death were his parents, in-laws William and Mary Scheck, sister-in-Law Lanie Maxwell, Linda Steenman, and brother-in-law Roger Armstrong. Surviving family members include his wife, Judith Ann Maxwell, daughter Elizabeth Ann, “Beth” Maxwell, brothers Larry C Maxwell (Regina), Lake Nona, Florida, Richard Jay Maxwell, Greenwood, Indiana, sister Sonia Louise Maxwell, Tucson, Arizona and several nieces and nephews.

He was known for his great sense of humor. Once you met him, you never forgot him. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 pm Monday, March 4, 2024, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 3155 S. Co. Rd 200 West, Kokomo, with Rev. Fr. Kyle Neterer the celebrant. Burial will follow in Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery with military honors provided by the U.S. Army and the Kokomo V.F.W. Military Rites Team. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 11 am until Mass time Monday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (https://t2t.org/donate/), St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church Building Fund, or the Kokomo Humane Society. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Barbara (Armour) Heckert

Barbara (Armour) Heckert, 80, of Galveston transitioned to her heavenly home on Wednesday evening, February 28, 2024. Barbara was born on July 29, 1943, in Illinois. She was the daughter of Dumas and Dorchie (Turner) Armour. She married David Heckert on December 14, 1963, and they were married for 15 years.

Barbara worked at and retired from Delco Electronics in Kokomo. She enjoyed sewing, cross stitching, playing games, particularly Rummikub, Euchre, Horse, and Acquire, and watching gameshows. She loved flowers and plants, and her yard was often one of the prettiest in town. She dearly loved spending time with her family, particularly her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved Jesus and was a member of the Galveston First Baptist Church.

Surviving include her children Lisa (Ron) Roberts of Kokomo, Stephanie Heckert of Kokomo, and Daniel (Anita) Heckert of Woodridge, Illinois. Surviving grandchildren include Kristin (Steven Schmidt) Roberts of Indianapolis, Ronnie (Lynnelee) Roberts of Sheridan, Matthew (Trinity Herrod) of Kokomo, Levi and Wesley Heckert of Woodridge. She is also survived by her six great grandchildren, Noel, Briella, Lee, Wade, Gabe and Annabelle Roberts and siblings William Armour and Marilyn (Bob) Johnson. Preceding Barbara in death are her parents, her sister Audrey Armour, and her beloved dog, Ginger Pops. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Compassus Hospice, her nurses, and aide Hunter for taking such great care of Barbara during her final days.

Funeral services are scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on Monday, March 4, 2024, at Murray-Weaver Funeral Home in Galveston with Pastor Sean Cooper officiating. Visitation will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Barbara will be laid to rest in Galveston Cemetery.

Melvin Eugene Armstrong

Melvin Eugene Armstrong, 90, entered his eternal rest on Wednesday, February 28 at 8:29 AM. He was born May 14, 1933 (Mother’s Day) in Cass County, Indiana, on his Grandparents farm. His father and mother were Emmett Charles Armstrong and Ruth Bernice (Davis) Armstrong. He graduated from Galveston High School in 1951. He was drafted into the army June 1, 1953. He served as a typist in Orleans, France for 18 months during the Korean War. He met his wife, Marjorie, in college and they were married September 1, 1956. He graduated from Indiana Business College with a Senior Accounting Certificate. After college he was hired in the Order and Invoicing Department of Continental Steel Corporation where he worked until they closed. He then went to work for Syndicate Sales Corporation until he retired in May of 1998. Melvin was a member of Judson Road Christian Church. Melvin is survived by his devoted wife, Marjorie, his sister, Sharon Myers, and his children: Larry Gene Armstrong (Terry), Galveston, Indiana, Kenneth Alan Armstrong (Lori), Houston, Pennsylvania, and daughter, Cathy Dawn Williams (Christopher), Galveston, Indiana. He is also survived by ten Grandchildren: Clinton Armstrong (Grace), Bradley Armstrong (Miranda), Adam Armstrong, Caleb Armstrong, Jonah Armstrong, Ethan Armstrong, Levi Armstrong, Bethany Wheeler, Joshua Williams (Angelina), and Charis Williams. Eight great grand children: Alexander Wheeler, Noah Armstrong, Silas Armstrong, Edmund Armstrong, Shepherd Armstrong, Malachi Williams, Maribelle Williams, and Melanie Williams. Melvin was preceded in death by his mother and father.

Visitation will be held at Murray Weaver Funeral Home in Galveston, Indiana, on Monday, March 11, 2024, from 10:00 am - 12 noon with services immediately following at 12 Noon.