Lloyd “Leroy” Carroll, Gary Dean Pickett, Earnestine Lewis, Eva Mae (Casey) Tyler, Hilda Maxine Shippee, Robert L. Reed

Lloyd “Leroy” Carroll

Lloyd “Leroy” Carroll, 82, of Kokomo, passed away 8:35 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at his home. He was born in Dalton, Georgia, on December 15, 1942, the son of the late Walter Carroll Sr. and Eule (Ketchem) Carroll. In July of 1967, he married Peggy Suzanne Hart, and she preceded him in death on November 4, 2021.

Leroy was a graduate of Kokomo High School. He attended Ivy Tech University and achieved his Journeyman. He retired from Chrysler in 2002 after 30 years as a tool-and-die maker. Leroy was a super-friendly and social man who could make friends with anybody. He had a God-given talent of playing guitar. He traveled around playing music at the 4-H county fair and various nursing homes. He was a faithful member of In His Image Church in Kokomo. Leroy volunteered at We Care Park for 10 years. He loved the Lord and created Jesus signs for people.

He is survived by his children Brian Carroll, Lori Carroll, James Carroll, grandchildren Bryant (Jessica), Britan (Lexi), Brandon, Serina, and Chelsee (Dustin), six great-grandchildren, siblings Walter Jr., Evelyn, Shirley, Barbara, and Doris, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and granddaughter Shalynn Carroll.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Rd., Kokomo, IN 46902. A funeral service celebrating Leroy’s life will begin at noon on Wednesday at the funeral home with Pastor Brad Swain officiating. Burial will follow in Galveston Cemetery. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Gary Dean Pickett

Gary Dean Pickett, 67, of Bunker Hill, was called to God at 12:08 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, with his wife and two sons at his side.

Born May 9, 1958, in Bedford, Indiana, he was the son of Vernon Milton Pickett and Charlotte Jean Pickett. He was the father of Cary Dean Bratcher, who passed away tragically on March 24, 1988. He married Monica Marie (Harris) Pickett on November 19, 1990, who preceded him in death on January 4, 2016. He married Yan (Guo) Pickett on June 10, 2024.

Gary graduated from Northwestern High School in 1976. He received his associate’s degree from Vincennes University and was an active employee of Aptiv as a printed circuit board designer. Gary loved shooting, fishing, boating, tending his garden, maintaining his beloved home, and throwing a delicious dinner on the grill. He genuinely loved being outdoors as often as he could be. If being outside was not an option, or if he came across a bit of downtime, he enjoyed turning on a cheesy action/monster movie or a good western. Gary was a devoted husband and a caring brother and uncle. He was a proud father, and an overjoyed grandfather. He had a contagious smile, and was filled with love, compassion, and interest for all those around him.

Gary’s love lives on through his wife Yan Pickett of Bunker Hill, his sons Jordan (Ambrosia Rimmer) Pickett of Amboy and Joshua (Beth) Pickett of Kokomo, his brother Larry (Maureen) Pickett of Kokomo, his sisters Linda (Dan) Randall of Kokomo, Diana (Doug) Stevens of Springfield, Ohio, Debbie (Mark) Deisch of Kempton, and Marilyn Gipson of Boston, Massachusetts, and his grandchildren Jaxon Dean Pickett of Kokomo and Vergil Dean Pickett and Octavia Marie Pickett of Amboy.

A service will be held on Friday May 23, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Flowers-Leedy/Allen Funeral Home in Bunker Hill. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at which point the service will begin, followed by a burial service at Springdale Cemetery.

Earnestine Lewis

Earnestine Lewis, 72, Kokomo, passed away at 2:31 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at her home. She was born in Elgin, IL, on February 10, 1953, to the late Willie Green Sr. and Ethel (Cornelius) Green. She married Larry Lewis, and he preceded her in death.

Earnestine worked for Walmart in the gardening department. She was a member of Grace Memorial and Fountain of Life Worship Center and loved spending time with her family.

Earnestine is survived by siblings Willie (Irene) Green Jr., Robert (Kimberly) Green, Kenneth Green-Young, Kent Green-Young, and Gloria Green, and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sisters Ruby Woodward and Mary Louise Young, brothers Harry Young and Edward Young, and sister-in-law Vicki Green.

A funeral service celebrating Earnestine’s life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at Fountain of Life Worship Center, 611 E Jackson St., Kokomo, with Bishop Charles Glenn officiating. Burial will follow in Crown Point Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Shirley & Stout Funeral Homes has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be made online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Eva Mae (Casey) Tyler

Eva Mae (Casey) Tyler was born in Marion, Indiana, on June 20, 1929. She was one of four children born to Marve Von and Nellie Pearl (Pettiford) Casey. Eva Mae accepted Christ at an early age at Hills Chapel AME Church In Weaver, Indiana.

Eva Mae graduated from Good Samaritan School of nursing in 1950 and began her career in nursing at St. Joseph Hospital in April 1951. Eva Mae worked the 11 p.m.-7 a.m. shift in the OBGYN unit for more than 40 years at St. Joseph Hospital. She loved bringing new life into this world and working with expecting mothers.

Eva Mae volunteered for 10 years at the Kokomo Rescue Mission until the COVID pandemic.

She loved and enjoyed spending time with her family and loved being called Big Moma by her great-grandkids. She also loved spending time with her favorite nephew Michael Gault, a run to the dollar store, and having a hot dog with onions.

Eva Mae is survived by her daughters Eva Leontine Wells of Dayton, OH, Fontaine Tyler Lane of Sterling, VA, grandchildren Jason L. Lane of Sterling, VA, great-grandchildren Jadon Elijah Lane of Sterling, VA, Jahlil Lane of Charlotte, NC, Jaycee Lyric Lane of Sterling, VA, and Jett Loki Lane of Sterling, VA.

Eva Mae is preceded in death by husband Volennis Tyler, her parents Marvel Von and Pearl Casey, brother Dr. Edmond Casey, sisters Clara Gault and Colleen Carlisle, grandchild Jr Lane, and great-grandchild, Javonte Lane.

A funeral service celebrating Eva’s life will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W Lincoln Road, Kokomo. Entombment will follow in Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Hilda Maxine Shippee

On April 13, 2025, at 11:20 a.m., Hilda Maxine Shippee, 86, Kokomo, went home to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in glory with her daughter by her side. She was born on April 25, 1938, the daughter of A. Bryant and Jewell (Wilson) Brooks, in Searcy, Arkansas.

Hilda moved to Greentown, IN, in 1945. She graduated from Eastern High School in 1956 and married Philip Shippee that same year. In 1969, she moved back to Kokomo with her children. She worked many jobs to support her children. Her first job in 1951 was at Cox’s Confectionary in Greentown, a supervisor at Stop ‘N Go convenience stores in the ‘70s, a supervisor of Brooks Kwik Stop, a housekeeper at Burlington Clinic, and a Youth Manager in the secure detention area at the Kinsey Youth Center for nine years before retiring. She was a member of the American Legion Post 408 in Walton and Grace Fellowship Church in Kokomo.

Hilda enjoyed many activities and hobbies and going to Fever basketball games. She and Donna also did extensive traveling around America, Europe, and Mexico. She enjoyed cross-stitch, crossword puzzles, and Bingo.

She was a devoted mother, daughter, sister, granny, and a special lady to her lifelong friends. She will be remembered for her humor, smile, and positive outlook on life.

Hilda will be missed by many friends and relatives near and far, her Lunch Bunch Crew, and dog Emily.

Hilda is survived by her daughter Donna Shippee, son Dana Shippee, grandchildren Jennifer (Joseph) Boland and Kyle (Jessica) Shippee, great-grandchildren Conner Shippee, Audrey Shippee, Justin Boland, and Natalie Shippee, sibling Deborah (James) Williams, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents A. Bryant and Jewell, brother Willard Brooks, and sisters Carolyn Keel and Norma Beachy.

A funeral service celebrating Hilda’s life will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at Grace Fellowship, 2700 S. Park Road, Kokomo, with Pastor Ray Tetrault officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kokomo Humane Society, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, or the Wounded Warrior Project. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Robert L. Reed

Robert L. Reed, a cherished family man known for his loving nature, selfless spirit, and exceptional handiness, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2025, in Fort Wayne, IN, at the age of 74. Born on March 28, 1951, in Peru, IN, Robert's life was a testament to the enduring power of kindness and dedication to one's passions and loved ones.

Robert graduated from Peru High School, where he formed lasting friendships and developed a work ethic that would characterize his entire career. For many years, he was a dedicated employee at Valley Forge Towers in Pennsylvania, where his reliability and commitment to excellence earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues.

Beyond his professional life, Robert was a master of woodworking, a skill he honed with love and patience over the years. His creations were not only a showcase of his talent but also a reflection of his desire to bring joy to others. Robert's love for the outdoors was evident in his passion for hunting, an activity that allowed him to appreciate nature's beauty and the simple pleasures of life.

Robert's family was the cornerstone of his world. He was preceded in death by his beloved parents Arthur and Margaret Reed, sister Sherry, and his wife Georgia Jane Reed, who was his partner in life's journey. Together, they raised three wonderful daughters Bridget, Roberta, and Chantele, who each inherited their father's warmth and generosity, and a son-in law Halice. His grandchildren Jayden, Kayleigh, Isaiah, Tyree, Sophia, and Caleb will remember their grandfather as a source of boundless love and wisdom.

He is also survived by his caring siblings Debbie and Kathy and his brother Arthur, who will miss Robert's guidance and ever-present support. The bond they shared was a source of strength for the entire family, and his memory will continue to unite them.

Those who knew Robert will remember him as a man who always put others before himself. His actions spoke louder than words, and his legacy is one of quiet heroism in the everyday moments of life. Robert's ability to fix anything, his readiness to lend a helping hand, and his unwavering dedication to his family are qualities that will be forever cherished by those who had the privilege of knowing him.

As we bid farewell to Robert L. Reed, we celebrate a life well-lived, marked by the love he gave and the lives he touched. His spirit will live on in the memories of his family, the beauty of his woodworking, and the echoes of laughter from the hunting trips that brought him so much joy. Robert's journey through life was a true reflection of the values he held dear, and he will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate enough to be a part of his story.

As the sun sets on a life filled with meaningful moments, we take comfort in knowing that Robert's legacy will continue to inspire and guide us. In the stillness of the forests he cherished and the craftsmanship of his wooden masterpieces, we will find reminders of a soul that was truly one with the world around him.

Rest in peace, Robert L. Reed. Your love and lessons will remain with us, guiding our steps and warming our hearts for generations to come.

Services for Robert will be set at a later date. City of Firsts Cremation and Funeral Services by Rose and Geiger was entrusted with the arrangements. www.cityoffirstscremations.com