John G. West
John G. West, 80, of Sharpsville, passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2024. He was born in Steele, Missouri, on August 15, 1943, the son of the late John P. and Alma (Gower) West. On February 1, 1969, he married Stephanie Pearson (Bernsetter) in Kokomo, IN, and she survives.
John was a 1961 graduate of Kokomo High School. He retired from Delco Electronics as a supervisor in 1994. John was a caring, selfless man, who put everyone’s needs before his own. He was a strong support to his family and friends. He was his grandchildren’s number one fan at their sporting events and band competitions. John was a faithful member of Fairfield Christian Church in Kokomo. He was an avid Cleveland Browns, Purdue University, and St. Louis Cardinals fan. He was passionate about racing, watching hockey games in Indianapolis, and listening to music. After retirement, John loved playing golf, mowing grass at Wildcat Creek Golf Course, and took great pride in mowing yards in his neighborhood.
In addition to his wife of 55 years, John is survived by his son, Mike (Johnna) Pearson; brother, Stan (Sheila) West; grandchildren, Austin (Alicia) Pearson, Derek (Madi) Pearson, Hailee Pearson; great-grandchildren, Alan Pearson, Alivia Pearson, Owen John Pearson, Oliver Jay Pearson; aunt, Mary West; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
John will be remembered for ending every phone call by telling his family how much he loved them and how proud he was of them.
Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10 am to Noon Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 West Lincoln Road, Kokomo, IN 46902. Funeral service will begin at Noon on Tuesday at the funeral home, with Pastor Lynn Coleman officiating. Entombment will follow in Sunset Memory Garden. Contributions may be made in John’s memory to Fairfield Christian Church or to the Taylor Township Volunteer Fire Department. Stout & Son Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.
John “David” McCann
John “David” McCann, 82, passed away on March 13, 2024, at Ascension St. Vincent in Kokomo. He was born, on April 14, 1941, in Kokomo, to John and Freda (Jackson) McCann.
David graduated from Kokomo High School in 1959 and went on to attend Indiana University. He worked as a photographer for Delco Electronics and retired after 31 years of dedication. After he retired, David worked at Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma in Minneapolis for 9 years and worked at Restoration Hardware for 2 years. He was highly involved in the Kokomo Civic Theater, Indianapolis Civic Theater, Black Curtain Dinner Theaters, and Footlight Musicals in Indianapolis.
David is survived by his sister, Sue Heck; nephews, Mike (Ruth) Heck, Jim (Margie) Heck, and Patrick (Amy) Heck. He was preceded in death by his parents; nephew, Tim Heck; and brother-in-law, Bill Heck.
A celebration of David’s life will be held from 2 – 4 pm, on March 23, 2024, at Shirley and Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Indiana. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Evan Gaston Cree, Jr., 79, Kokomo, died at 12:35 pm Friday, March 8, 2024, at his home. He was born July 5, 1944, in Jackson, Mississippi, the son of Evan Gaston, Sr. & Mary Moudell (Brown) Cree. On November 28, 1970, in Kokomo, he married Dianne Opal Pebley, and she preceded him in death February 3, 2008.
Evan had worked for Cuneo Press, Kolux, and Truss Manufacturing. He had also worked as a paper carrier for the Kokomo Tribune and had worked for Tire Division.
He was an active member of Fuel Church, where he enjoyed serving as a greeter at the auditorium door. He enjoyed watching wrestling with his grandson. He was a Chicago Cubs and Indianapolis Colts fan and had been a member of the Alligator CB Club.
Evan is survived by his children, Evan Scott Cree and Jennifer Diane Cree; grandson, Andrew James “AJ” Cree; brothers-in-law, Jerry St. Clair, Sr., Louie Pebley; sisters-in-law Barbara Sample, Magdalene Willis and Shirley Cree as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; son, James Matthew Cree; grandson, Alexander Warren Cree; brother Charles Cree, sister, Juanita St. Clair as well as several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
A funeral service celebrating Evan’s life will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 26, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo, IN, with Pastor Alex McCormick officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memory Gardens Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4-7 p.m., Monday, March 25, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions to help with funeral expenses. Contributions may be made by clicking the Donation button on his obituary page at www.shirleyandstout.com.
William Bloch Brey
William Bloch Brey passed away peacefully at Kokomo, Indiana, on March 8, 2024, after a battle with Alzheimer's Disease. He was born on May 16, 1930 to Herbert and Elsa (Bloch) Brey in Berlin, Wisconsin.
He grew up on the family farm near Auroraville and attended school there. He graduated from Berlin High School in 1947.
He attended UW Oshkosh and the University of Minnesota. He traveled the country seeing both oceans and the Gulf. He became a telegrapher and accepted employment with the Milwaukee Railroad. He was the Stationmaster at Woodland, Horicon, Mayville, Beaver Dam, and Watertown.
While in Milwaukee he met and married Kathleen Anna Trick. They had three children: Allen Robert, Paul Russell, and Judith Mary. He had four grandsons (John, Bradley, Gregory, Matthew) and a granddaughter (Amy). After his divorce he married Mary Louise Brouillet on July 10, 1982.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert, and daughter Judith. He is survived by his wife Mary, sons Allen (Sharon), Paul (Debra), stepdaughter Lorri (David) Spoonemore, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Bill enjoyed traveling, playing cards, hunting, fishing, and tinkering with anything that needed to be fixed. He owned and operated farms at Beaver Dam and Lebanon. He held several positions at his church. He practiced service to others and was a lifelong Mason and Lion.
Funeral services at Wiecki-Skipchak Funeral Home in Wisconsin will be announced at a later date.
Vicki Lynn Sipkema
Vicki Lynn Sipkema, 68, Greentown, passed away Monday, February 26, 2024, in her home. She was born August 3, 1955, in Lafayette, Indiana, to John William and Mary Louise (Allison) Townsend.
Vicki enjoyed spending time with her family. The family enjoyed visiting state parks around Indiana, one favorite spot was Lincoln State Park. She loved to decorate her house for all seasons of the year. Vicki really enjoyed decorating for Halloween, she loved watching the kids when they would come up for candy. Vicki spent many years working as a home healthcare professional. She loved her patients and found immense joy in helping them achieve a full quality of life.
Vicki is survived by four sons, Justin (Heather) Kanney, Greentown, Mark (Angie) Sipkema, Greenwood, Matt (Annette) Sipkema, Monon, and Robbie (Kelly) Sipkema, Westfield, along with nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Mary Townsend.
Per Vicki's wishes there will be no public services. Hasler & Stout Funeral Home, 112 E. Main Street, Greentown, assisted the family with arrangements.