Ethel JoAnn Cotham

Ethel JoAnn Cotham, 64, of Kokomo, passed away at 7:57 a.m. on Friday, April 19, 2024, at Wellbrooke of Kokomo. She was born in LaFollete, TN, on January 5, 1960, the daughter of the late Jess and Mabel (West) Claiborne. She married Jim Cotham in 1978, and he survives.

JoAnn worked as a custodian for Northwestern School Corporation, worked at IGA in Burlington, and retired from St. Joseph Hospital where she assisted as a custodian in the emergency room department. JoAnn was a loving, kind, and amazing woman. She was the best caretaker who always prioritized taking care of her husband, Jim. She liked sewing, quilting, fishing, and canning vegetables. She will be remembered for being the best cook and being so proud of her family.

In addition to her husband Jim, JoAnn is survived by her sons, Mike (Chenell) Cotham, and Dan (Julie) Claiborne; grandchildren, Kaila Claiborne and Justus Cotham; great-grandchild, Kaiden Claiborne; nieces and nephew, Amanda, Lelani, Brandi, and Mitchell.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and siblings, Pam and Jerry.

Graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 26, 2024, at Russiaville Cemetery, with Pastor Bill Fields officiating. Stout & Son Funeral Home – Russiaville Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements

Mr. George Edward Reece Jr.

Mr. George Edward Reece Jr., affectionately known to most as “Edward,” was born December 27 to the joy of his parents, George Edward Reece Sr. and Emma Todd Reece in Kokomo, Indiana. After graduating from Kokomo High School, Edward enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, stationed in Hawaii, from where he was honorably discharged.

After discharge from the military, Edward went on to work for Chrysler. While there, he assumed various positions during his tenure that lasted 26 years prior to his well- earned retirement.

George Edward Reece Jr. departed this earthly place and ascended to heavenly reward on April 20, 2024. He was preceded there by his parents, George Sr. and Emma Todd Reece; son, Kennedy Daniel Reece; and siblings, Rosie L. Corbin, Daniel Dale Corbin, Willie Corbin, Joann K. Coleman.

Left to cherish his legacy of love, music and inclusion are his wife, Kirstin Reece; children, George Edward Reece III (Gabrielle), Stephen M. Reece (Melissa), James F. Reece, Lauran E. Reece and Jaylin T. Reece; sisters, Dorothy M. Martin, Elizabeth Ann Wiley, Carolyn Sue Young and Renica Elliott; brother, Anthony Dewayne Reece; 9 grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family.

Celebration of life services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Wayman Chapel AME Church, 920 N Apperson Way, with visitation there from 11 a.m. until time of service. Pastor William J. Gary will serve as Eulogist.

Jay Alan Seiler

Jay Alan Seiler, 77, Kokomo, passed away at 8:48 p.m. Friday, April 19, 2024, at his home. He was born June 5, 1946, in Peru, the son of the late Toby A. and Betty J. (Brittain) Seiler. On August 28, 1971, he married Mary Ann (Kesterke) Seiler at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Joseph, Michigan, and she survives.

Jay was a 1964 graduate of Maconaquah High School. He served in the United State Navy from 1966-1970, obtaining the rank Petty Officer Third Class. He received his bachelor’s degree in industrial technology in 1973 from Indiana State University and obtained his MBA in 1988 from Ball State University. Jay over the years worked for Chrysler Corporation, Cheek Realty, and was the owner and operator of Seiler Photography, retiring from Delphi Electronics in March of 2007 after 26 years of service. Jay was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. He was also a past member of the Kokomo Bass Fishing Club and the Kokomo Country Club. He enjoyed fishing, woodworking, photography, genealogy, and was an avid golfer. He especially enjoyed his yearly fishing trip with his dad to the Upper Peninsula and performed extensive family research with his genealogy over the past 30 years.

In addition to his wife, Mary Ann, Jay is survived by his brother, Toby J. (Christina) Seiler; sister, Joanie M. (Jeff) Sackett; 10 nieces and nephews; 10 great-nieces and nephews; along with several cousins.

Jay was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Jeanne A. Seiler; brother, Kenneth J. Seiler; and sister, Synthia J. Zirkle.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 1:30 p.m. Monday, April 29, 2024, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1229 N Washington St., Kokomo, with Rev. Fr. Peter Vanderkolk as the celebrant. The service will be available to livestream. A link will be provided on his obituary page at www.shirleyandstout.com. Burial will follow in Albright Cemetery, with military honors provided by United States Navy. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 28, 2024, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Rd., Kokomo, with a Scripture Service taking place immediately after visitation at 5 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 E. Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI 49221, adriandominicans.org, or St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Messages of condolence may be made online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Joe D. Wampler

On April 19, 2024, the world lost one of the most empathetic individuals to have ever lived. Joe Wampler was a kind man with a precious spirit. He never spoke bad about anyone. He was born on 12/24/1942 and entered Heaven on 04/19/2024.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his three children, Steve (Chris) Wampler, Stephanie Wampler and Joe David Wampler. He loved his five grandchildren, Brody Wampler, Morgan Koon, Mattison Floyd, Joseph Wampler and Kate Combs. He also loved his three great-grandchildren.

He retired from the Chrysler Casting plant after working there for 30 years. More often than not he could be found standing in a river fishing for crappie, catfish, salmon or walleye. David Snavely, Mark Hood, Tim Hood and James Miles were his close fishing buddies. He was a lover, not a fighter, and was loved by everyone that knew him.

He was a humble man that lived a life of thanksgiving for the goodness God had shown to him. Joe had repented, been baptized in Jesus’ name and received the Holy Ghost. He was a Christian. The greatest thing he leaves behind is not some material thing he left to those that knew him but rather it is what he left in those that knew him. As those of us on earth said, “There he goes” Heaven said, “Here he comes.” On April 19th he took his last breath on earth and his first breath in heaven.

There will be a celebration service in honor of Joe Wampler on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at Grace Apostolic Ministries, 616 Touby Pike, Kokomo, Indiana 46901.

The family will receive friends from 2:30-3:30 p.m. The actual service will start at 3:30 p.m.

City of Firsts Cremation and Funeral Services have been trusted with arrangements for the Wampler family. Please visit www.cityoffirstscremations.com to leave a memory or a condolence for the family.

Marilyn Cotton Etchison

Marilyn Cotton Etchison, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, teacher and friend, died after a brief illness at 4 a.m., April 19, at home in Avalon Village in Hampden, Maine. She was surrounded by her family and caregivers. Many devoted caregivers and medical professionals cared for her and assisted the family over the years.

Marilyn grew up in Elwood, the daughter of Evelyn Fisher Cotton and Dr. Perry Everingham Cotton. She was predeceased by her six sisters, Jo Ann Seright, Nancy Jane Hill, Carol Fisher Cotton Frye, Joyce Cotton Ruby, Alice Marie Knotts and Linda Evelyn Speer. Marilyn spent many memorable summers with her Grandma Emma Ruhama “Amy” and Grandpa William Beatty Fisher on the family farm in Wolcott. Her paternal grandparents were Dr. Carrol Charles and Stella Everingham Cotton of Elwood.

Marilyn graduated from Wendell Willkie High School in 1952. Marilyn belonged to Debate Club, Crescent, Booster Club, Latin Club, and the National Honor Society. She then earned an A.B. from Indiana University in English with a minor in French in 1956 and earned her master’s degree in education from Butler University in 1971. As an educator, she taught high school English, speech, debate, and directed plays in Noblesville, Kempton, and Tipton.

Marilyn was a member of Mortar Board; Future Teachers of America; Pamarada; Union Committee Chairmen; Contest Alumni on Campus; and she was President of the IU Foundation Steering Committee responsible for the Little 500 bicycle race. She was the Office Manager for the IU Yearbook, the Arbutus; a member of the Association of Women Students Council (AWS Council); Chair of the Women’s Residence Hall (WRH) Judicial Board; and the YWCA State Chairman. Marilyn traveled to Berkeley, California, as Indiana State Chair of the YWCA. In Tipton, she was a member of the Tri Kappa sorority, served on the Tipton County Public Library board, and belonged to the Normanda Christian Church.

Surviving Marilyn is her husband, Dallas Franklin Etchison, who was married to Marilyn for 65 years. Marilyn and Dallas built a second home in Maine in 2005, then moved permanently in 2011, after spending 50 years of their marriage on their farm in Tipton County near Goldsmith.

Marilyn was a devoted mother to Diana Etchison Prescott, also of Hampden, Maine and Kathleen Etchison, of Manassas, Virginia. Diana is married to David Prescott, and her children are Rachel, of Memphis, TN; Meredith, of Washington, DC; and Eleanor, of Orono, ME. Kathleen is married to Thomas Andahl, and her children are Connor and Marta. Marilyn was very close to her numerous nieces and nephews.

Marilyn made friends wherever she went and was an incredibly optimistic person. She loved flowers and enjoyed gardening, reading, music, dancing, cooking, and art. Marilyn enjoyed traveling, saving her money when first teaching for a special trip to Europe.

A celebration of Marilyn’s life is planned for the weekend of October 18, on what would have been her 90th birthday in Tipton County. She will be buried in the Tetersburg Cemetery. Memorial gifts can be forwarded to the Tipton County Foundation, 1020 Jefferson Street, Tipton, IN 46072 or tiptoncf.org for a scholarship to be established in her name.

Young-Nichols Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

Danny Joe Jackson

Danny Joe Jackson, 60, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away April 20, 2024. He was born on November 30, 1963, in Charleston, Missouri, the son of Roy Glenn and Shirley (Bryant) Jackson. He loved woodworking and creating ice sculptures. He was a very good chef and enjoyed catering. Danny loved animals and had many chickens and loved his dogs.

Left to cherish his memory is his mother, Shirley; brother Mike; niece and nephew, Nicole (Brandon) and Cory (Jaime); great niece and great nephew, Aubry and Memphis; wonderful cousins, friends and coworkers.

He was preceded in death by his father; grandmother, Lottie Bryant; grandparents, Pearl and Irvin Jackson.

In Danny's final act of kindness, he was an organ/tissue donor.

All services will remain private. Share a memory with the family at www.sunsetmemorygarden.com.

Arthur E. Johnson

Arthur E. Johnson, known as Eric, 73, of Kokomo passed away on April 19, 2024, at his home. He was born August 25, 1950, in Kokomo to Bernice (Bowman) and Charles Johnson. A graduate of Kokomo High School, he went on to become a Master Mechanic at the Kokomo Chrysler dealership.

He enjoyed helping others, working on vehicles, tinkering in his shed, and spending time with his family and friends.

He is survived by his girlfriend, Phyllis Pearson; his sister, Debarah, and her husband, Duane; brother, Charles, and his wife, Danel; sister-in-law, Ester; two sons, Eric and wife, Margie, and Bradley and wife, Lauren; four grandsons, one granddaughter, and several nieces and nephews.

Eric was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Bernice; his brother, Harry Allen; and nephew, Christian Derleth.

At this time no services are planned following the cremation. Memorial contributions can be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Kokomo. Mental Illness shouldn’t be a stigma, seek help and know you aren’t alone.

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

Tamara "Tammy" Hamilton

Tamara "Tammy" Hamilton passed away peacefully on April 16, 2024, in Kokomo, Indiana. She was born on May 26, 1958, in Decatur, Illinois.

Tammy was a graduate of Pioneer High School's class of 1976. She worked at Wilson Foods, transitioned into the car sales industry, and eventually found her calling in the world of jewelry. Tammy co-owned and operated Arnold & Hamilton Jewelry in Peru, Indiana, where her keen eye for beauty and her warm customer service won her the hearts of many.

Beyond her professional life, Tammy had an unwavering love for rescue animals and provided them with a loving home and a second chance at life. Her competitive spirit found joy in the game of euchre. Music was another source of happiness for Tammy. She was an avid fan of Aerosmith, whose songs were the soundtrack to many cherished moments in her life.

She is survived by her mother, Donna Brewer; daughter, Jessica Bonnell (Brandon); and her only granddaughter, Baci Bonnell; sister, Gina Kennell (Noel); and nephews, Cory and Kyle.

Tamara was preceded in death by her beloved stepfather, Charlie Brewer; father, Richard "Dick" Scrivner, and his wife, Marilyn.

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

Mr. Lawrence Darnell Broomfield

Mr. Lawrence Darnell Broomfield, a dedicated Prep Cook known for his culinary skills and warm personality, passed away on April 12, 2024, at Community Hospital North Indianapolis. He was born in Kokomo, IN, on October 1, 1962.

Mr. Broomfield was a high school graduate who pursued his passion for cooking with unwavering dedication throughout his career. His commitment to his craft and attention to detail made him stand out in the culinary world.

Those who had the privilege of knowing Mr. Broomfield will remember him for his kind heart and gentle spirit. He leaves behind a legacy of hard work and generosity that will be cherished by all who knew him.

He is survived by his mother, Barbara Broomfield; long-time companion, Brenda Parker; daughters, Mica Hendricks and DeUnna Hendricks; brothers, Charles Broomfield (Cherrie), Jesse Broomfield III (Julie), Victor Broomfield; sister, Christina Broomfield; uncle, Michael Reeves; aunts, Vanessa Reeves and Ethel Jackson.

Mr. Broomfield is preceded in death by his father Jesse Broomfield Jr; brother Brian Broomfield; paternal grandparents Charlie & Earlean Reeves and Mattie & Jesse Broomfield Sr; and maternal grandparents Robert W. Allensworth & Edna Killebrew-Allensworth.

Services to celebrate Mr. Lawrence Darnell Broomfield's life will be held at Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church in Kokomo on April 20, 2024. A Viewing will take place from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM followed by the Funeral Service from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

In loving memory of Mr. Lawrence Darnell Broomfield.