Makenna Danielle Mikesell, Hadley Makenna Mikesell, Agnes “Aggie” Marguerite Yeakel, Jennings "Ned" Ray Horne, Lucinda “Cindy” Marie Payne, Kevin Leon Hughes

Makenna Danielle Mikesell
Hadley Makenna Mikesell

Makenna Danielle Mikesell, 29, Macy, passed away unexpectedly on Monday morning, June 16, 2025, with her newborn daughter Hadley Makenna Mikesell, at Woodlawn Hospital, Rochester, Indiana.

Born December 19, 1995, in Peru, Indiana, she was the daughter of Traci (Burns) Brown and Kenneth Brown. On July 1, 2021, in Hatcher Pass, Alaska, she was married to Paul James Mikesell, and he survives.

Makenna graduated in 2014 from North Miami High School before heading to Manchester University where she earned her B.S. in Athletic Training. After graduation, she worked from 2018-2021 as the athletic trainer for Maconaquah High School. She then went to Kokomo High School in the same position, working from 2021-2025, while simultaneously working as a dual-credit teacher through Manchester University for Kinesiology, Exercise Science, and Capstone at Kokomo Area Career Center.

She took her career very seriously and was always trying to learn new methods, teaching styles, and a greater understanding of her profession. She loved taking care of family and friends, a trait that was evident in her classroom, home, and among those who were recipients of creations from her kitchen. She loved cooking new recipes, trying new foods, and keeping up the family tradition of canning and preserving the summer harvest from the garden.

Makenna was always one to challenge normal stereotypes. She loved working out with the guys in the gym, most often outperforming those around her. Her hard and determined work ethic was evident in the gym, as well as around the house and on the farm. Her busy schedule often meant she was showing up to ballet or the next activity in her dirty softball pants, or sweaty-whatever sport uniform she was wearing. She loved dance and was a fourteen-year student of Ballet Arts, starting at age five. As a teenager, she loved spending time on her four-wheeler, racing and challenging her brother as they became “professional drivers” in both ATVs and lawnmowers, having raced in the Twelve Mile 500. She was also an active part of her youth group at Twelve Mile and Bethlehem United Methodist churches, where she went on several mission trips.

Makenna had a big heart and expressed her love for others through her actions and the welcoming atmosphere in her classroom and home. In the kitchen, she was an artist and those who benefited from her bakery-quality gifts could not only feel but taste her love. She loved spending time with others, whether it was at work, in class, or at home. Her family meant the world to her, but also extended to her large collection of pets, including her beloved fur babies Arti, Fraya, Karen, Charlie, Devi, and Jamie, and most of all, her beloved dog Leo.

Survivors include her husband Paul Mikesell of Macy, mother Traci (Burns) Brown of Peru, father and step-mother Kenny and Julie Brown of Florida, brother Joshua Brown of Peru, grandparents Charles “Mike” and Bonnie Burns of Twelve Mile, uncle Charles “Michael” (Star) Burns of Denver, aunt Shirley (Terry) Smiley of Mexico, mother and father-in law Carolyn and Brian Mikesell of Macy, and brother-in-law, William Mikesell of Indianapolis. Also surviving are several great aunts and uncles, as well as cousins.

She was preceded in death by several grandparents and great-grandparents.

Visitation will be from noon-7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 20, 2025, at Mexico Riverside Church (formerly Mexico Church of the Brethren), 4460 North Mexico Road, Mexico, Indiana, with her childhood pastor and longtime friend Chaplain Teri White officiating.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Burial will follow in Westlawn Cemetery, Denver.

Condolences may be sent online at www.mcclainfh.com. Memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to Manchester University to benefit the Athletic Training Department. (c/o McClain Funeral Home, PO Box 248, Denver, Indiana.). Envelopes will be available at the church.

McClain Funeral Home, Denver, Indiana, has been entrusted with arrangements.

Agnes “Aggie” Marguerite Yeakel

Agnes “Aggie” Marguerite Yeakel, 80, of Kokomo, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2025, at Compassus Hospice Facility in Indianapolis. After bravely facing two battles with breast cancer, two massive strokes, and a long journey with Alzheimer’s disease, Aggie’s soul is now at peace.

She was born June 12, 1945, in Chenoa, Ill., the youngest of six children to James and Agnes (McCarthy) Donavan. She was a longtime member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, where she found comfort, community, and strength in her faith.

Aggie met her husband, James, at a Newman Center dance while they were both students at Illinois State University. When he offered to walk her back to her dorm, a 57-year love story began, filled with laughter, learning, and adventure. Over the years, Aggie wore many hats — teacher, writer, broadcaster, businesswoman, comedienne — each role filled with passion and joy. She was known for her quick wit, beautiful singing voice, and love of dancing. A lifelong learner and educator, Aggie was an early adopter of distance and e-learning and impacted countless students across decades.

In addition to her loving husband James “Jim” Yeakel, Aggie is survived by their four children James Yeakel Jr., Michael (Nikki) Yeakel, William (Ranae) Yeakel, and Kelly Yeakel, brother John Donovan, grandchildren Cody (Savannah) and James Yeakel, Dylan, Quentin, Lily, and Kylie Yeakel, Amber and Ava Yeakel, and Grayson and Rose Flecker, along with great-grandchildren Soleia and Capri Yeakel. Aggie was preceded in death by both her parents, brothers James and Joseph Donovan, sisters Rose Gilner-Witek, Mary Haas, and Ann Higgins-Schopp, and grandson Connor Yeakel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m., with a family eulogy beginning at 10:10 a.m., Saturday, June 21, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 3155 County Road S 200 W, Kokomo, with Fr. Peter Vanderkolk as the celebrant. Burial will follow in Sunset Memory Gardens Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, June 20, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo, with a Rosary Service beginning at 3:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, or Susan G. Komen for the Cure, komen.org, in Aggie’s memory. Stout & Son Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.stoutandson.com.

Jennings "Ned" Ray Horne

Jennings "Ned" Ray Horne, age 83, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away on Monday, June 16, 2025. He was born on October 19, 1941, in Pikeville, KY, to Woodrow and Clarice Horne. He married Faye Calloway Horne on October 8, 1962.

Ned and Faye had one son Anthony R. Horne (Dana) and one daughter Karen R. Horne Buchanan (Eric).

They have six grandchildren: Lyndsi Overton; Jennifer Caplinger (Josh); Christopher Buchanan (Adriana); Jared Horne (Amy Caitlin); Megan Stout (Ben); and Trevor Buchanan. They have 13 great-grandchildren: MaKynzi Reed; Lelan Overton; Lile Overton; Kadyn Overton; Caroline Caplinger; Claire Caplinger; Charlie Caplinger; Crew Caplinger; Damian Buchanan; Heidi Horne; Billy Stout; Lanie Stout; and Lizzie Stout; along with two great-grandbabies arriving this winter.

Ned was a Kentucky Colonel, a U.S. Army veteran, a member of the Scottish Rite and Masonic Lodge, an American Legion member, and a proud member of UAW Local 685.

His siblings include Georgia Miller (Troy), Donnie Horne (Freeda), Roger Horne (Brenda), Woody Horne (Brenda), and SaRonda Gayheart (Leo).

He was preceded in death by his son Tony, his brother Donnie, and his parents Woodrow and Clarice.

A visitation for Ned will be held Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Ellers Mortuary & Crematory Center, 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo, Indiana 46902, followed by a funeral service at 12:00 PM. Ned’s grandsons Pastor Jared Horne and Pastor Josh Caplinger will officiate. He will be laid to rest in Albright Cemetery.

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Lucinda “Cindy” Marie Payne

Lucinda “Cindy” Marie Payne, 66, of Kempton, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on Monday, June 16, 2025, at IU North in Carmel, IN. She was born in Tipton, IN, on July 28, 1958, to her parents Mary H. (Wyatt) Hall and Floyd Wood, although she was raised by her true father Gaylord A. Hall.

Cindy recently retired from Purdue University in 2024 after 14 years of service. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and her dog Jax. She had a strong interest for knowing what was happening in the lives of those she cared about. Cindy could often be found viewing, sharing, and connecting with loved ones on Facebook. She was always smiling and laughing and always enjoyed helping others. She also had a keen eye for a deal, which resulted in a lot of random items being purchased (online) which brought her a ridiculous amount of joy. She loved giving random gifts. Cindy enjoyed her Mountain Dew and chips and salsa from Hacienda and Chili's.

Cindy is survived by her father Gaylord Hall of Tipton, daughter Tabitha (Brice) Smith of Tipton, son Jeremy (April) Netherton of Arcadia, grandchildren Emily Smith of Tipton and Sydney Netherton and Aubrey Coy of Arcadia, siblings Tammy (Brian) Menefee of Michigantown, David Wood of Tipton, and Laurence (Brenda) Hall and Anita Hall of Michigan, as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Cindy was welcomed into Heaven by her mother Mary Hall, grandparents John D. and Edith Wyatt, and grandson Andrew J.M. Smith.

Out of respect for Cindy's wishes, private family services will be held.

Taylor & Cowan Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Cindy Payne in their time of need.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be where I am." John 14:1-3

Kevin Leon Hughes

Kevin Leon Hughes, age 60, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.