Donald Smith

Donald Smith, (lovingly called Buster or Smitty), age 94, of Tipton County, peacefully passed away at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, June 7, 2024, at the Elwood Health and Living Facility.

Don was born on March 4, 1930, in Jefferson Township of Tipton County to Vivian V. Smith. After birth, he resided on the family farm of his grandparents, Frank & Julia Ann (Kelley) Smith, East of Little New York. During his teenage years he worked on his grandparents’ 40-acre farm and helped several other farmers in the Little New York area.

Don was a graduate of Jefferson Township School, Tipton County, in the Class of 1948 where he was a member of the basketball team. He took great pride in being a Jefferson Yankee! After graduation, Don worked at the Triangle Inn where he met the love of his life, Roberta Zimmerman. Before their wedding on October 24, 1953, he served in the U.S. Army starting on April 18, 1951, which was during the Korean War. After receiving his honorable discharge on April 9, 1953, Don returned to Indiana and started working at Pioneer Seeds in Tipton. He was a faithful and dedicated employee until his retirement in 1984. During that time, he still farmed and raised livestock on the family farm he had purchased from his grandparents.

Some of Don’s other jobs included hauling grain with his wife Roberta at his side to many elevators around central Indiana and running his own commodity business. After retiring from Pioneer, he volunteered his time at Howard Community Hospital in Kokomo and mowed many yards for free.

In his free time, Don enjoyed watching IU basketball, and he attended many of his grandchildren’s sporting events. He was a member of the Tetersburg Christian Church where he served as a deacon for many years.

Those left to carry on Don’s legacy are his son Michael (Cathy) Smith, Morgantown, and daughter Cheryl (Pat) Comer of Tipton; one sister, Barb (Greg) Fowler, Eaton. He is also survived by his nine grandchildren, Traci (Brian) Reed, Nicholas (Wendy) Comer, Krista Doss, Chad (Brooke) Comer, Eric (Lauren) Smith, Kyle (Jessica) Comer, Tyler (Tasha) Smith, Courtney (Josh) Watts and Corey (Emily) Smith.

Don's great-grandchildren are Ryan (Katie) Smith, Olivia Dinkens, Jacob Dinkens, Zoey Clardy, Brayden Reed, Brooke Reed, Brantley Reed, Bryar Reed, Blaise Doss, Jameson Downam, Makenna Comer, Macie Comer, Marika Herron, Xavier Herron, Eden Comer, Adelyn Comer, Levi Comer, Shaylan Morris, Paisley Comer, Preston Comer, Carter Watts, Emma Watts, Clark Smith, Ryder Rednour, Olivia Smith, Mason Smith, Millie Smith and another great-grandson, Beckett Smith who is due to arrive this September; one great-great-granddaughter, Delilah Smith, as well as many nephews, nieces and cousins.

Don was preceded in death by his mother and his stepfather, Vivian and Fred Thorpe; his grandparents, Frank and Julia Ann Smith, wife Roberta and one son, Donald Lee Smith. He was also welcomed into heaven by many other family members.

Don’s funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 13, at Young-Nichols Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Tetersburg Cemetery with military honors provided by the Tipton American Legion and the U.S. Army. Visitation will also be on Thursday from 12:00–2:00 p.m.

It was Don’s wish that in lieu of flowers memorial donations be made to the Jefferson Township Alumni, c/o Mark Mason, 101 East Columbia, Attica, Indiana, 47918, to provide scholarships for Tipton High School seniors who are descendants of Jefferson Township Alumni.

Don’s family would like to thank the Elwood Health and Living and Guardian Angel Hospice for all of the love and care shown to him and his family over the last few months.

Betty Jane Bledsoe

Betty Jane Bledsoe, 86, of Kokomo, passed away peacefully at her home on June 9, 2024. She was born on August 19, 1937, in Lewisport, KY, to the late Jesse Crask and Mattie Ruth (Hall) Hamilton. On November 28, 1986, she married Leonard Bledsoe in Las Vegas, NV, who survives her.

Betty graduated from Lewisport High School in 1955. She dedicated 31 years to Delco Electronics in Kokomo as a clerk, retiring in 1997. Betty had numerous hobbies and interests, including shopping, thrifting, decorating, crafting, making people laugh, and spending time with her family. She had a passion for entertaining, always dressing impeccably and creating beautiful decorations for her events. An adventurous spirit, Betty went skydiving at 75 and again at 80 with her grandsons. She was also a talented cook, known for trying new recipes and making the best banana pudding.

In addition to her husband Leonard, Betty is also survived by her children, Louise (Ron) Skiba, Glenn (Julie) Greenwood, Debbie Greenwood, Danette (Alex) Primo, Patti (Emmet) Wells, Lonnie Greenwood, Darcey (Wayne) Jackson, Robert (Zhenya) Greenwood and Linda McDaniel; her grandchildren, Ronnie, Chris, Mike, Holly, Autumn, Jennifer, David, Jeff, Samantha, Stormie, Jeremy, Joshua, Natasha, Robbie, Timmy, Brad, Mark, Jered and Nathan; 15 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren; her sister, Bonnie Raley; stepson, David Bledsoe; nieces, Toni (Gary) Cox, Logan and Lisa; nephews, Mason and Kevin; and special friend, Lisa “Scotty” Scott.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Joyce Trueblood; grandsons, Lonnie John and Dusty; sister, Bobbie Jackson; and brother, Joe Hamilton.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the service on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo. The funeral service will follow at 4:00 p.m. at the same location, with Pastor Dave Welsh officiating.

Charles Edward Maxey

Charles Edward Maxey, 85, of Tipton, died Sunday, June 9, 2024, at his residence. He was born in Boles, Kentucky, on June 16, 1938, to Tucker Butler and Irene (Cherry) Maxey. Charlie married his sweetheart Rosalie “Rosie” Coverdale on March 18, 1960. She preceded him in death on August 10, 2005, after 45 years of marriage.

Charlie retired from Chrysler in Kokomo in 1988. Having left the factory, Charlie focused on manufacturing residential homes as CEO and founder of Maxey Homes, Inc., building in Tipton and surrounding counties for 64 years. Charlie also had a background as a Realtor and Broker of properties. He had been baptized at the Curtisville Christian Church. In his spare time, Charlie was very involved and active in many organizations including the Fraternal Order of Police, Tipton Moose Lodge, American Legion, a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge #1012, and the president of the Fairview Cemetery Board. He served his country in the Army National Guard as a Staff Sergeant.

A fond memory for Charlie was the time he participated in a basketball game against the Harlem Globetrotters. He enjoyed the youth activities in the community and loved sponsoring Maxey Homes’ Pee Wee and Minor League baseball teams. He will be remembered for his philanthropic endeavors to make his community a better place.

Survivors include his children Jeffrey Scott Maxey and wife Debbie of Tipton, Jennifer Lee Cavanaugh and husband Patrick of Romney, and Julie Ann Calvin and husband Lyle of Tipton. Siblings include Willie Nell Burk of Tipton, Tony Maxey (Marlene) of Fishers, Tim Maxey (Kristi) of Westfield and sister-in-law Chris Maxey of Elkhart. Charlie was blessed with seven grandchildren, Tucker (Traci) Maxey, Zachary (Jacquelyn) Cavanaugh, Taylor (Nikki) Maxey, Brianna (Luke) Wildauer, Bryce (Sophia) Calvin, Tanner (Lindsey) Maxey, and Brock Calvin. A lot of his energy was spent on his 12 great-grandchildren: Leah, Kayleigh, Maci, Maeverly, Irelyn, Halstyn, Zeke, Kyia, Vali, Enli, Isla and Ben. Charlie’s special friends Lil Powell and Darrell Murray spent many enjoyable hours with him creating wonderful memories.

He was preceded in death by his wife Rosie, a daughter Wendy Lou Maxey, his brother Jim and a sister Donna Austin.

Funeral services will be on Saturday, June 15, at 11:00 A.M. at West Street Christian Church with Rev. Ashley Sherard presiding. Burial with military honors will follow at Fairview Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Young-Nichols Funeral Home and also Saturday from 10:00 A.M. until service time at the church. An Elks memorial service will be performed at 7:30 P.M. Friday at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to The Charlie Maxey Memorial Fund, c/o the Tipton County Foundation, 1020 West Jefferson St., Tipton, Indiana, 46072, with the goal of assisting with the construction of a chapel at Fairview Cemetery.

Evie Terrell Barnett

Evie Terrell Barnett, 41, of Kokomo, IN, gained his wings on May 25, 2024. He was born in Kokomo, IN, to Franklin Barnett and Mildred Allen on November 10, 1982.

Evie had an enormous heart and wonderful sense of humor. His smile would light up any room he stepped into, and he always greeted you with a hug. He will always be remembered for all the love he shared with family and friends, and he will be missed dearly.

Evie was preceded in death by his mother, Mildred Allen; father, Franklin Barnett; and daughter, Talayeh Barnett.

He is survived by his siblings Laveta Humphries-Beard, Demitrius Barnett, Toshia Allen, a host of family members, and friends that have become family over the years.

Evie’s Words from April 2, 2024:

“He is working in me, around me and through me. If anyone knows anything about me, I definitely have a story. I hope and pray the people who do know me know it's not me, it is Him. It's not my will but His will. No matter what life throws my way, He has never forgotten me.”

On behalf of Evie’s family, we appreciate your thoughts and support during this time. Please note that the memorial service will be a private gathering for close family only. Thank you for understanding.