Taylor Lynne Harrison, Catina Lynn Floyd-Merrick, Donald L. Nelson, Phillip Joe Dwigans, Erik Jason Modisett, Thomas Robert King

Taylor Lynne Harrison

Taylor Lynne Harrison, 33, Kokomo, passed away on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at Community Howard Regional, Kokomo. She was born on May 31, 1993, the daughter of Jason Johnson and Dustie (Harrison) Jackson.

Taylor worked for Jessica’s Fresh Start Cleaning LLC. She enjoyed doing cosmetics, trying different things with her makeup and eyelashes. She loved her children and spending time with her family.

Taylor is survived by her mother Dustie Jackson; father Jason (Jessica) Johnson; children Aaleigha Bergesen and Kaisyn Shutt; siblings Gavin Berry, Dakota Berry, Jaedon Johnson, Jordan Johnson, Jason Johnson Jr., Jace Johnson, Jaysa Johnson, and Jade Johnson; stepsiblings Kristina Miller, Gregory Jackson, Zachary Jackson, and Lindsay Jackson; grandmothers Sharon Gillem Karns and Susan Kenner; grandfather Dawson Harrison; great-grandparents Alan and Ruth Karns; step-grandfather Donnie Gillem Jr.; boyfriend Joe Olivarez; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her brother Isaiah Berry; cousin Donavan Johnson; aunt Angela Spencer; grandfather John Johnson; and stepfather Jeffrey Jackson.

A funeral service celebrating Taylor’s life will be held at 3 p.m., Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 1 p.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shirley & Stout Funeral Home to assist with funeral expenses. Messages of condolence may be made at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Catina Lynn Floyd-Merrick

Catina Lynn Floyd-Merrick, 53, Kokomo, passed away at 8:10 a.m. Sunday, June 7, 2026, at her home. She was born June 2, 1973, in Kokomo to Romauldo and Cathy (Floyd) Gama.

Catina retired from the Robert J. Kinsey Youth Center and also worked as a bartender. Some of her passions included bowling, collecting Mickey Mouse memorabilia, and loving on and spending time with her family and friends. She will be remembered for her loving nature and for helping anyone she could.

She is survived by her parents Roman and Cathy Gama; children Andrew Floyd and Jazzlyn Floyd; sisters Abbie Shaffer and Jennifer Thomas; aunts and uncle Evelyn Floyd, Nellie Browning, Arnold Floyd, and Theresa Meacham-Johnson; as well as a tribe of cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband William “Bill” Merrick and grandparents Eugene and Anna Floyd.

Friends may visit with the family from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 12, 2026, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 West Lincoln Road. Memorial contributions may be made to Shirley & Stout to assist the family with final expenses. Messages of condolence may be left at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Donald L. Nelson

Donald L. Nelson, 101, passed away on Sunday, June 7, 2026.

Born and raised in Benton County, Don graduated from Pine Township School in 1943. He enlisted in the United States Navy in January 1945, serving as an aviation machinist and aerial gunner (turret gunner). During his military service, he married the love of his life, June Larson, on October 6, 1945, at Allapattah Methodist Church in Miami, Florida. June preceded him in death.

Following his honorable discharge from the Navy in August 1946, Don and June returned to Benton County and began farming in Pine Township. His career in agriculture eventually led him to become farm manager at Joan of Arc, and he later retired from the same position with Pillsbury.

Don believed deeply in serving his community and giving back. He was a member of the American Legion for more than 50 years and dedicated countless hours to local organizations, including the Benton County Fair Board, Mt. Gilboa Cemetery Board, Fowler United Methodist Church, and the Otterbein PTA, where he served as president.

Along the way, Don and June built a loving family. He is survived by his three daughters Linda (Roy) Jones of Lafayette, Janet (Stan) Whitehead of Darlington, and Mary Lynn (Rick) Davis of Thorntown; as well as a sister Pat Steinmetz of Eugene, Oregon; in addition to his grandchildren Kerry (John) Blanton of Brookings, South Dakota; Leslie Whitehead of Hendersonville, Tennessee; and Dalton (Hannah) Davis of Thorntown, Indiana. Don was blessed 20 years ago with two bonus grandchildren Justin (Heather) Jones of Madison, Wisconsin, and Ashley (TJ) Peters of Kokomo, Indiana. His legacy reaches further through his two great-grandchildren John Blanton III of Fort Benning, Georgia, and Olivia (Keegan) Dorr of Augusta, Georgia.

Don loved spending time with family and friends, whether sharing a meal, playing cards, or enjoying a variety of board games. More often than not, he emerged victorious. He was always curious about how things worked and eager to learn new things, which is why he was one of the few centenarians with a Facebook page and regularly texted photos to friends and family. He was excited to be accepted to one of the Honor Flights to visit the World War II Memorial with his good friend and neighbor Vic Gick.

Don was an accomplished woodworker who especially enjoyed creating projects with his scroll saw. Many people may not have realized that he also had an adventurous spirit and was something of a thrill seeker. He loved activities that were fast-paced or daring; anything that stirred the butterflies in his stomach and brought a twinkle to his eye. Among his favorite adventures were taking an IndyCar ride at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at age 92 and, at age 97, flying in a P-51 Mustang aircraft with a friend, during which he successfully executed a perfect roll.

A celebration of Don’s life will be held on Saturday, June 13, at The Grove Covenant Church, with visitation from 10:00–11:00 a.m. followed immediately by the service at 11:00 a.m. Full Military Honors will be held graveside at Mt. Gilboa United Methodist Church, 8322 E, 300 N, Fowler, Indiana, at 1:30 p.m. As a man of faith, Don loved the Lord with all his heart.

Don will be remembered for his dedication to family, faith, agriculture, and community service. His century-long life was marked by hard work, generosity, and a commitment to making his community a better place for future generations.

Don’s care has been entrusted to Gerts, Windler & Keller Funeral Home ~ Fowler Chapel | 506 E. Main St., Fowler, IN 47944 | (765) 864-0110 | www.KellerFH.com

Phillip Joe Dwigans

Retired Indiana State Trooper Phillip Joe Dwigans, 92, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away peacefully at home on June 7, 2026, at 9:46 a.m., surrounded by his family.

A lifelong public servant and longtime Kokomo resident, Phil will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and the many lives he touched throughout his years of service and community involvement.

He was born on December 31, 1933, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Robert Raymond and Lola Helen (Smith) Dwigans. On August 14, 1954, he married the love of his life, Ethelyn Louise Krieg, who preceded him in death on January 17, 2024. Together, they shared 69½ years of marriage, building a life centered on faith, family, service, and enduring love. Phil graduated from Kokomo High School in 1952 and began his career at Delco Electronics in Kokomo. While still in high school, and during the height of the Korean War, he enlisted in the Indiana Army National Guard, serving locally with the 150th Field Artillery Battalion, 38th Infantry Division. He attained the rank of Corporal before entering the United States Air Force.

Phil served on active duty in the Air Force from 1956 to 1960, including an 18-month unaccompanied tour at Wheelus Air Force Base in Tripoli, Libya, North Africa. He began his Air Force career with initial training at Parks Air Force Base in Dublin, California. During his service, Phil and his wife Ethelyn were stationed at Donaldson Air Force Base in Greenville, South Carolina; Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas; and Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

After leaving active duty in the Air Force, Phil worked alongside his brother at Haynes Stellite before finding his true calling in law enforcement.

In the 1970s, Phil continued his military career in the United States Air Force Reserve, ultimately retiring with the rank of Technical Sergeant, assigned to Grissom Air Force Base in Peru, Indiana. He participated in numerous annual training exercises at Royal Air Force (RAF) Mildenhall in England, as well as at Air Force bases throughout Germany.

During the 1990–1991 Gulf War, Phil was once again called to active duty in support of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, serving at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. His military career spanned five decades and more than 20 years of service, reflecting a lifelong commitment to his country and fellow servicemembers.

Phil’s legacy of military service continues through his family. His son, daughter-in-law, grandson, and granddaughter have proudly served, or continue to serve, on active duty or in reserve components of the United States Army and United States Air Force, carrying forward the values of duty, honor, and service that defined his life.

On November 16, 1967, he graduated from the Indiana State Police Academy and was appointed as an Indiana State Trooper. Over the next 20-plus years, he faithfully served the citizens of Indiana, patrolling the highways of Jasper and Howard counties. Throughout his distinguished career, Phil maintained an impeccable safety record, logging more than 900,000 accident-free miles.

Phil retired as a Master Trooper on June 17, 1988, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 55. During his career, he regularly provided law enforcement support at the Indianapolis 500, serving trackside for many years. He was also entrusted with security details for Presidents, Governors, and presidential candidates, reflecting the professionalism and dedication that characterized his service.

Phil was an avid bowler in his younger years, achieving multiple 700-series scores. In retirement, he developed a passion for golf and became an accomplished player, even recording a hole-in-one. Following in his father’s footsteps, he also became a skilled horseshoe pitcher, competing alongside his brother and nephews in tournaments and local events.

A lifelong learner, Phil enjoyed reading, with a particular interest in World War II history. He also loved crossword puzzles and genealogy research. Through his dedication to indexing and record preservation, he helped transcribe more than 250,000 documents, making it easier for countless individuals to discover and document their family histories.

Phil was a quiet and humble man with a wonderful sense of humor, always ready with a joke to make others smile. He enjoyed traveling and cherished visits with his three children and their families across the United States.

In the later years of his life, Phil joined the local YMCA’s Rock Steady Boxing program, where his positive attitude, determination, and friendly nature made him a favorite among fellow participants and instructors. Even then, he continued doing what he did best, building meaningful friendships and enriching the lives of those around him.

Faith was a guiding force throughout Phil’s life. Through his faithful example and devotion, he helped lead his family to Jesus Christ. A dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Phil served as Ward Membership Clerk for more than 30 years, providing quiet and dependable service to his congregation.

Phil and Ethelyn faithfully supported two of their children as they served full-time, two-year church missions. Later, they had the privilege of serving together on an 18-month temple mission at the Chicago Illinois Temple. Their shared commitment to faith, family, and service remained a defining influence throughout their lives.

Phil is survived by his daughter Marcia (Dennis) Marler of Kokomo; two sons Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Paul Robert (Ann) Dwigans of Columbia, South Carolina, and P. Todd (Major Wendy) Dwigans of North Augusta, South Carolina; his brother Chief Warrant Officer 3 (Ret.) Richard (Darlene) Dwigans of Kokomo; and his sister Jan (Bill) Pavey of Kokomo.

He also leaves behind nine beloved grandchildren: Major Dr. Tyler (Millena) Marler, Tara (Jalen) Ellis, Sara (Benjamin) Hansen, Crystal Dwigans, Jonathon Dwigans, Trevor Marler, Emma (Curtis) Barnum, Abigail Dwigans, and Spencer Dwigans; as well as eight cherished great-grandchildren.

Phil was preceded in death by his wife Ethelyn Dwigans; his parents Robert and Lola (Smith) Dwigans; his brother Alan Dwigans; and his sister Helen Coston.

Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 West Lincoln Road, Kokomo, Indiana.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 332 West, 300 South, Kokomo, with Bishop Benjamin Dilsaver officiating. The service will be livestreamed, and a link will be available through the funeral home’s website, www.shirleyandstout.com.

Burial will follow in Albright Cemetery, Kokomo, with military honors provided by the United States Air Force and the Kokomo VFW Military Rites team.

The family invites friends and loved ones to share memories and offer condolences online at www.shirleyandstout.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Humanitarian Aid Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Erik Jason Modisett

Erik Jason Modisett, age 50, of Jefferson, Maryland, passed away unexpectedly on June 3, 2026. Born on July 15, 1975, in Kokomo, Indiana, Erik was raised in Windfall, Indiana, where he developed the strong values, work ethic, and sense of humor that would define his life. He was a proud graduate of Purdue University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree, and later earned a Master’s degree in International Affairs from The Fletcher School at Tufts University.

Erik dedicated his life to service. A United States Navy veteran who served during Operation Desert Storm, he went on to build a distinguished career in federal law enforcement spanning nearly three decades. Throughout his career, he served with the Federal Air Marshal Service and with U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations, earning the respect and admiration of colleagues across the nation through his professionalism, integrity, and commitment to protecting others.

Following his retirement from federal service, Erik embarked on a new chapter that reflected his passion for learning and mentoring others. He had just accepted a position as Assistant Professor in the School of Applied and Creative Computing at Purdue University and was looking forward to welcoming his first students in the fall semester.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Erik was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend. He shared a loving marriage with his wife Sarah and took great pride in being the father of their daughter Olivia. Family was at the center of Erik’s life, and he treasured every opportunity to spend time with those he loved. Those who knew Erik knew that he would do anything for Sarah and Olivia. Taking care of his whole family was his life’s greatest calling, and he never missed an opportunity to show them his love, support, and unwavering devotion.

Erik possessed a deep love of travel and aviation. As a licensed pilot, he found joy and freedom in the skies, combining his passion for flying with providing national security to our country as he created the Center for Air and Marine Drone Exploitation (CAMDEx), the first-ever drone division of the CBP. He was known for his adventurous spirit, his loyalty to friends, and his ability to bring people together. Whether enjoying a good cigar, sharing a bourbon with friends, or exchanging stories and laughter, Erik valued the relationships that enriched his life.

He is survived by his wife Sarah Marvin Modisett; his daughter Olivia Lys; his parents Gregory and Judith Modisett; his sister Elisha Modisett Kemp; his nephews Alex and Andrew Kemp; his mother-in-law Sue Wiggins; his father-in-law Timothy Marvin; his stepmother-in-law Tammy Marvin; his brother-in-law Philip Marvin and family; his sister-in-law Bethany Kniffin and family; and his stepfather-in-law Darryl Whisnand and family.

Erik’s legacy is one of service, dedication, curiosity, and love. He lived a life of purpose, embraced every opportunity for adventure, and left a lasting impact on his family, friends, colleagues, and community. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Two memorial services will be held to honor Erik’s life. The Maryland memorial service will take place on Monday, June 15, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Resthaven Funeral Home in Frederick, Maryland, and will be followed by a Celebration of Life gathering. A second memorial service will be held in Indiana on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Windfall Christian Church. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by services at 12:00 noon and a Celebration of Life immediately afterward.

The family asks that those wishing to honor Erik’s memory consider making a contribution to his daughter Olivia’s 529 College Savings Plan. Her Aunt Elisha created an account at https://ugift529.com (code 96Z-X77) or via mail to 18716 Joliet Road, Sheridan, IN 46069. Supporting Olivia’s education would be a meaningful tribute to Erik’s lifelong commitment to learning, service, and family.

Thomas Robert King

Thomas Robert King, age 71, of Portage, MI, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on May 30, 2026, after sustaining a fall in his home. He was born in Vermillion, SD, on January 26, 1955, to the late Robert Henry King and Arlene Vera (Alt) King.

Tom was preceded in death by his brother-in-law Charles Zacharias and great-nephew Maddox Henry Barbot.

Tom was raised in Dugway, UT, and Wilmington, IL, where he graduated from high school in 1973. At age 15, he started his career as a pharmacist assistant at Walgreens in Wilmington, IL. He attended Purdue University, like his father and maternal uncles, graduating in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management. While studying at Purdue, Tom was employed by Arni’s Restaurant, where he formed lifelong friendships. After earning his degree, Tom was a proud civil servant, working at the U.S. Postal Service until his retirement in 2012, completing 33 years of service. He started as a carrier in Marion, IN, and retired as the postmaster in Kalamazoo, MI.

Tom welcomed many promotions along the way, becoming the postmaster of Lebanon, Elwood, Rushville, and Greenfield, all Indiana cities that were close to his sons Joshua and Jacob King. Tom served each of these communities through leadership in local Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs, as well as local Chambers of Commerce.

After retirement, Tom continued to work in several part-time positions. He started with the Portage, MI, school system at Amberly Elementary School as a playground supervisor, then advanced to becoming part of ACMS, a national crossing guard company, as a regional supervisor. He also enjoyed grocery shopping, which led to a weekend position as a shopper for the Meijer Shaver Road store in Portage, MI. In all of his jobs, he found friendship and enjoyed building relationships with people. He continued giving to others after his death as an organ donor through the Gift of Life.

Tom had a love of cooking for others, gardening, playing euchre, and rooting for his favorite sports teams, the Chicago Cubs and the Purdue Boilermakers. He will be greatly missed by all, with faith that he is now at peace with his Savior.

Tom is survived by his wife Patti Scharlach King (Portage, MI); his son Joshua (Kim Yoon-jung) King (Novi, MI); grandchildren Angela and Benjamin King (Novi, MI); his son Jacob King (Bloomington, Indiana); his son Matthew King (Portage, MI); his stepson Landon (Erin) Baker, and step-grandchildren Liam, Riley, and Maggie Baker (Kokomo, IN). Tom is also survived by his three siblings Margaret Zacharias (Cincinnati, OH), Susan (Mike Barry) King-Barry (Grand Rapids, MI), and Robert King (Brunswick, GA); as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Per his wishes, cremation has taken place, and a Celebration of Life for Tom will be held on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 3:00 PM at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial and Cremation Service, 411 East Centre Ave., Portage, MI 49002. A memorial visitation will take place at the funeral home, one hour prior to the service, beginning at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to ASPCA, American Cancer Society, or a charity of your choice.