Helen Elizabeth Adair
Helen Elizabeth Adair, 94, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2024, at home surrounded by her family. Helen was born in Kokomo, Indiana, on May 5, 1930, to John and Abigail Barlow. On July 10, 1953, she married the love of her life, Joseph "Jody" Adair, and he survives. They were married for 71 years.
Helen was an amazing wife, mother and grandmother. Her family was her life and that was very evident in her day-to-day living. She was always ready to see you and greeted you with a big hug. Most of her and Jody's married life was spent at their home in Kokomo. Helen retired from Taylor Community School as a cafeteria worker after 30 years of service. After retirement Helen and Jody spent the next 25 years wintering in South Texas with many special friends and family. She was a farmer's wife and a homemaker who loved gardening and sewing taught to her by her very special mother-in-law, Hilda Adair. She loved canning her beautiful, red tomato juice and delicious, sweet pickles. She spent hours sewing beautiful Easter and Christmas dresses for her daughters. Her home was always open to friends and family whether it be for conversation with a cup of coffee or a place to stay for friends of her children. Her nighttime prayer with Jody while holding his hand was one of her favorite parts of her day.
Along with her husband, Jody, Helen is survived by her daughters, Terri (Les) Strunk, Ruth (Mike) Thompson and her bonus son, Steve (Sherri) Belcher, grandchildren Eric Dockerty, Wendy (Kevin) Colt, Nicki (Jaime) Smith, Jodi (Brian) Kennedy, Jessica Papai, Shon (Kirsten) Belcher, Mike (Melissa) Thompson, Cami (Justin) Sparks, Andrea (Adam) Buchko, Chelsea Brooks and Leighton (Natasha) Adair, 16 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Helen was preceded in death by her three sons, Lawrence Dockerty, John (Arlene) Adair and Joe (Kim) Adair. Her sisters, Bernice Williams, Edna Brown, Velma Weideman, Edith Chlarson and her special niece, Carolyn Maish.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to Guardian Angel Hospice, Dr. Ishan Gohil, Hemlock Friends Church and Doug Shoemaker. A very special thanks to her hairdresser and niece, Paula Bolin, whom she loved dearly.
A celebration of life will be held at Hemlock Friends Church, 4448 400 S, Hemlock, IN 46937 on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 10:00 AM with Doug Shoemaker officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Guardian Angel Hospice, 513 Lincoln Road, Kokomo, Indiana 46902 or Hemlock Friends Church, PO Box 117, Hemlock, Indiana 46937.
Gary Robert Reed
Gary Robert Reed, of Kokomo, Indiana passed away on Sunday, September 1, 2024.
A memorial gathering for Gary will be held Friday, September 6, 2024, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Ellers Mortuary & Crematory Center, 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo, Indiana 46902, followed by a memorial service at 5:00 PM.
Ruth Ann Gray
Ruth Ann Gray, 80, of Carmel, passed away at 6:05 p.m. on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at Wellbrooke of Carmel. Ruth was born in Topeka, Kansas, on July 4, 1944, to Ralph & Ernestine (Gugler) Koons. She had previously lived in Marion, Indiana.
Ruth had worked for a title company in Marion and was a member of the First United Methodist Church where she sang in the church choir and played the hand bells. She enjoyed photography, looking at flowers and sitting outside listening to the birds. She was a 1962 graduate of Topeka High School, and she graduated from Indiana Wesleyan in 1990.
Survivors include one daughter, Andrea McMath and husband Justin of Westfield; one grandson, Grant McMath and the father of her daughter, James Gray of Anderson.
Ruth will be entombed at Gardens of Memory Cemetery north of Marion in a private family service.
Arrangements are being made through Young-Nichols Funeral Home, Tipton, and condolences for Ruth may be left on her obituary page at www.young-nichols.com.