Beth S. Bokhart, Carol Ann (Kowalski) Smith, Joseph “Joe” Clinton Cragun, Shirley Ann Gross (Espe)

Beth S. Bokhart

Beth S. Bokhart, 57, of South Bend, Indiana, passed away at 1:29 p.m. Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in her home, surrounded by loved ones. Beth was born on May 29, 1968, in Kokomo, Indiana, to Daniel and Arlene (Martens) Duffek. On May 12, 1990, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Kokomo, Indiana, she married Eric J. Bokhart, who survives. Beth is also survived by her three children Andrew Bokhart of Durango, Colorado, Alec Bokhart of Lynchburg, Virginia, and Margo (Brett Wendling) Bokhart of Indianapolis, Indiana; her mother Arlene Duffek of Kokomo, Indiana; and two sisters Lynn (Chuck) Graves of Kokomo, Indiana, and Christine (Dan) Rassel of Russiaville, Indiana. Beth was preceded in death by her father Daniel Duffek and her sister Rochelle Duffek.

Beth was a 1986 graduate of Kokomo High School. Following graduation, she proceeded to join the Chi Omega sorority at Indiana State University and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, CPA (1990). Later in life, she received a Master of Arts in Teaching from Bethel College. Beth worked for the South Bend Community School Corporation for 10 years, prior to transferring to Christ the King Catholic School where she worked for seven years until retirement. She had a large passion for children and education. Throughout life, Beth enjoyed traveling across the United States of America with their family and trailer to a mixture of state and national parks. When she was not traveling, Beth found herself China painting, crocheting, knitting, and sewing. Any memorial contributions should be directed to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital as she frequently would donate throughout her life.

On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, a visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, Indiana, with a rosary being prayed at 4:00 p.m. An additional visitation will take place at 9:30 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial following at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 52473 State Hwy 933, South Bend, Indiana. Entombment will follow at Sunset Memory Gardens Funeral Home and Cemetery, 2097 W. Alto Road, Kokomo, Indiana.

Carol Ann (Kowalski) Smith

Carol Ann (Kowalski) Smith, 81 years old, of Kokomo, passed away 11:44 a.m. Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at IU Health Fishers Hospital in Fishers, IN. She was born in Braddock, Pennsylvania, on June 27, 1944, the daughter of Mary (Roman) Frank. Carol married Larry Smith in 1972, and he preceded her in death in 1993.

Carol graduated high school in Lorraine, OH. She retired from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, where she served as a district accountant. Carol received her realtor’s license and was also employed at Mr. Fireworks for 15 years. She was an organized, detail-oriented, and headstrong woman with a good sense of humor. Her favorite hobbies were gardening, fishing, completing yard work, cooking, and cleaning. Carol liked watching any football, but she especially enjoyed rooting for the Indianapolis Colts. She often knitted blankets for her friends and family. Some of the best trips she took were spent with family at the lake, Indiana Beach, or Sea World.

She is survived by her children Patricia (Brett) Austin, Edward Smith, Kevin (Karissa) Smith, and Carrie (TJ) Burrell; stepchildren Cindy (Joe) Panfil and Danny Smith; brothers John Giacobbe, Robert Giacobbe, Anthony Giacobbe, and Paul Giacobbe; grandchildren Caleb Austin, Joshua Austin, Emma Austin, Christian Smith, Makaela Smith, Gavyn (Brooklyn) Smith, Kinsley Smith, Lucretia Gilsinger, Dexter Gilsinger, Cogan Gilsinger, CJ Gilsinger, Joe Panfil, Ben Panfil, Luke Panfil, Harley Smith, and Heather Smith; and great-grandchildren Maelynn and Rosie Smith.

She was preceded in death by her mom; husband; foster mom Beula Giacobbe; and foster father Robert Giacobbe.

Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with cremation. A celebration of life will be held to honor Carol’s life. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Joseph “Joe” Clinton Cragun

Joseph “Joe” Clinton Cragun, 56, of Frankfort, passed away Friday, May 8, 2026. He was born August 28, 1969, in Kokomo, to Joe M. Cragun and Sharon (Hoshaw) Gillis. He married Katherine “Katie” Chambers on December 8, 2023, and she survives.

Joe was a graduate of Kokomo High School class of 1988. He served in the United States Army during the Gulf War. Joe worked several jobs over the years, including as a truck driver for many years. He was a member of the VFW. He was an avid sprint car fan, attending many races, chatting with many of the drivers, and operated a Facebook page that many people followed to keep up with sprint car updates and what Joe was up to. He also enjoyed watching scary movies and listening to all kinds of music, especially heavy metal and going to concerts. He loved his family and making memories with them, especially traveling and showing his wife and Elliott things they haven’t seen or experienced before. His sense of humor and wit was unique and will be missed by those that truly knew him.

Along with his wife, Joe is survived by his sons Christopher (Lara Botts) Cragun and Elliott Chambers; a sister Kelly (Mike) Smith; and grandchildren Annabelle and Scarlett.

He was preceded in death by his father.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date. Day & Genda Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left at www.dayandgenda.com.

Shirley Ann Gross (Espe)

Shirley Ann Gross (Espe), 91, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, died at 4:20 a.m., Sunday, May 3, 2026, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. She was born on March 20, 1935, in Kokomo, Indiana, to Floyd and Lena (Demaree) Hawley.

Shirley married Arthur Gross in 1954 in Kokomo, Indiana, and began her career working for Dr. Artis as a medical assistant before joining the Kokomo Hospital Laboratory as a laboratory technologist. She remained there until 1966, when Art and Shirley moved to Wabash. Art was a CPA and partner in the accounting firm of Rea, Gross, Logan (now Rea Logan), and became the first Commissioner of the Wabash Little League in 1968. From 1966 to 1969, Shirley worked in the Wabash County Hospital Laboratory and afterward continued her career at the laboratory of the Family Physicians Clinic, working for doctors LaSalle, Ferguson, and Smyrniotis in Wabash until 1977.

In 1977, Shirley moved from Wabash to Hoopeston, Illinois, where she lived until late 1978 before relocating to Arizona. There, she and her companion Merwyn “Mert” Davis purchased 50 acres and established the CV Ranch near Chino Valley, AZ, in 1981, where they both loved to ride their horses while raising buffalo and cattle. In the 1990s, Mert and Shirley built a home in the “Ranch” subdivision in Prescott, AZ, where her favorite pastime was hosting regular card games and parties with her neighbors. Upon Mert’s death in 2011, Shirley moved to Las Funtes Resort Village in Prescott. In 2022, Shirley returned to Indiana to be closer to her son Dave.

She is survived by sons Dave (Patricia) Gross of Fort Wayne and Jon Gross of Arizona; foster son Charles (Beverly) Kelley of Wabash, Indiana; grandchildren Alizabeth (Jake) Coleman and Alex Gross of Tucson, Arizona, and Gary (Tracie) Kelley, Greg (Meredith) Kelley, Gina (Ryan) Baker, Gabe (Stacey) Kelley, and Grant (Dawn) Kelley of Wabash, IN; step-grandchild Patrick (Cecile) Henderson of Tipton, 19 great-grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Beverly Crabtree and Barbara Towler, and twin sister Sharon Bradley.

Arrangements by Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, Wabash, Indiana.

The memorial guest book for Shirley may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.