Cecilia Dorothy “Dottie” O’Neill, Reba (Moore) Bledsoe, Lynda Gaye (Barker) Arnett

Cecilia Dorothy “Dottie” O’Neill

Cecilia Dorothy “Dottie” O’Neill, 98, of Kokomo, passed away on Friday, December 19, 2025, at Bloom at Kokomo. She was born on September 11, 1927, the daughter of John Ernest and Rose (Heeke) Graves. On June 28, 1947, she married John Robert “Bob” O’Neill, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Kokomo, who preceded her in death on October 19, 2004.

Dottie was a 1945 graduate of Kokomo High School and graduated from Indiana University School of Nursing in 1980. She worked at the offices of Delco Radio and Haynes Stellite of Kokomo. She worked at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital as an R.N. for nine years and retired in 1989 to their northern Indiana lake home. She moved back to Kokomo upon the death of her husband in 2004. Dottie was a member of St. Joan of Arc of Kokomo where she was also a member of the Rosary Society and the Sunshine Club. She was a previous member of Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church in Monticello, IN, St. Patrick Church of Kokomo, and Daughters of Isabella in Kokomo. Dottie was a Girl Scout Leader and Cub Scout den mother when her children were young. Family and church came first in her life.

She is survived by her children Maureen (Len) O’Neill-Schossler, Monica O’Neill, Patrick (Robin) O’Neill, and Peggy (Nino) Rodriguez; grandchildren Sean Lesher, Molly Lesher, Jenny (Jeremy) Shaw, Brian Morgan, Chris (Erynn) O’Neill, Erin (Thomas) Richter, and Ryan (Patty) Rodriguez; 15 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Along with her husband John Robert O’Neill, Dottie was preceded in death by her parents John and Rose Graves; two brothers Edward and Joseph Graves; and sisters Irene Winch and infant Florence Graves.

The family would like to thank Bloom of Kokomo for all their loving care. They would also like to thank AseraCare Hospice.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 3155 S County Road 200 W., Kokomo, with Rev. Fr. Sean Aaron the celebrant. Burial will follow at Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery. Nursing Honor Guard service will be held at 10:30 a.m. followed by the Rosary. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 11 a.m. until the time of the Mass at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Food for the Poor, 6401 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek, FL 33073 or the Buddy Bag Program in care of the Excel Center, www.excelcenterhighschool.org/donateonline/. Shirley & Stout Funeral Homes & Crematory has been entrusted with Dottie’s arrangements. Messages of condolences may be left at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Reba (Moore) Bledsoe

Reba (Moore) Bledsoe, 90, Kokomo, passed away at 7:35 a.m. Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at her home. She was born August 9, 1935, near Celina, TN, a daughter of Fred and Benzie (Johnson) Moore. She attended Prairie Elementary School in Tipton County. She was a 1990 graduate of Kokomo High School and retired from Delco Electronics in 1986 with 31 years of service.

Reba belonged to the Senior Citizen Center for more than 20 years and was a lifetime member of the Indiana Square Dance Association. She was a caring person who loved her family very much. She was an avid reader and also enjoyed working in her yard. Her favorite hobby was painting.

She is survived by one son David Bledsoe, one grandson Nathan Bledsoe, and special and loyal friend Floyd Easter.

She was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers, and two sisters.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 West Lincoln Road, with Pastor Jeff Russell officiating. Burial will follow in Sharpsville Cemetery. Friends may call from 11:00 a.m. until 1 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Messages of condolence may be submitted at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Lynda Gaye (Barker) Arnett

With heavy hearts, we announce that Lynda Gaye (Barker) Arnett, 73, passed away peacefully at her home in the rural Muncie, Indiana, area, on Sunday, November 30, 2025, surrounded by her family. Her Sunday morning departure seemed a fitting tribute to her lifelong commitment to the church and her deep, abiding faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She leaves behind a legacy of love and kindness and an abundance of family and friends who will miss her dearly.

Lynda is survived by her husband of 54 years Reverend John D. Arnett (Albany, IN); her four children Hannah G. Arnett (Brooklyn, NY), Justin Arnett (Austin, TX), Heather Arnett (Normal, IL), and JuliAnna Arnett (Washington, D.C.); and her treasured grandchildren Benjamin Brown (Normal, IL) and Samuel Brown (Normal, IL). She is also survived by her brothers Orlan (Cindy) Barker (Greentown, IN) and Brian Barker (Peru, IN), and many cherished members of the Barker and Arnett families.

Born in Kokomo, IN, Lynda is preceded in death by her parents Ward and Alice (Myers) Barker (Howard County, IN). She graduated from Western High School (Russiaville, IN). Her family attended Southside Wesleyan Church in Kokomo, IN, where she met the love of her life—her beloved “love muffin”—John, at age 16. Lynda and John built a home centered on faith, creativity, humor, music, books, and love. Lynda was the heart of her family, encouraging her children to pursue knowledge, nurture their imaginations, and care deeply for others. As a grandmother, she treasured every moment with Benjamin and Samuel, who brought her tremendous pride and joy.

A quiet and gentle spirit, her love of life was demonstrated through her many personal passions. Lynda was a voracious reader, always curious about the lives of others and the world around her. Books filled every room and vehicle, ready to nourish her hunger for learning. She was also a gifted pianist whose music offered comfort and peace, both in church and at home. Lynda loved spending time in her flower gardens, tending them with knowledge, care, and appreciation for the beauty of God’s creation. She pursued many creative arts, including sewing, painting, and photography.

Lynda earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Ball State University in Muncie, IN, while raising children and supporting the church’s ministry as a pastor’s wife. She taught Family and Consumer Sciences at Blackford County, IN, middle and high school for 20 years (1994-2014), dedicating countless hours to preparing students with practical life skills and encouraging their personal growth. She was a lifelong learner with a heart for service who lived her life with kindness, creativity, humor, and a deep appreciation for others.

She faithfully served her church communities throughout her life. As a pastor’s wife at Fowler Wesleyan, Bethel Heights Wesleyan, Northview Wesleyan, and Shiloh Friends, she welcomed everyone with warmth and compassion. Later, she became an active member of Rising Hope Wesleyan Church in Muncie, IN. She often assured others that “God has a plan and a place for everyone,” offering prayers that were gracious, heartfelt, and sometimes amusingly spontaneous; she was known to break out into prayer in the middle of a conversation or task.

Lynda was an encourager. Her handwritten cards were like warm hugs, and her empathetic heart made everyone feel seen and valued. Most of all, Lynda put love first. She lived her principles with integrity and strength, seeing past flaws to recognize others’ potential. She was a second mother to many—her children’s friends, nieces, nephews, and young adults at church—listening to their challenges and encouraging them to pursue their dreams.

She faced three diagnoses of breast cancer with courage and determination—first in her 40s, again 20 years later, and a final time shortly after suffering a stroke earlier this year. Though she longed to remain with those she loved, her body could not recover, and her heart turned toward joining Jesus in peace after a short period of hospice.

A gathering to honor and celebrate Lynda’s life will be held in early summer when the flowers are in bloom, as was her request. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the Fair Haven Foundation (https://fairhavenfoundation.org/), an Indianapolis, IN-based ministry that provides housing and care to cancer patients and their families. Fair Haven was a great comfort to the Arnetts during Lynda’s recent illness, and the family wishes to help support other families going through difficult times with cancer.