Obituaries, April 14, 2024
Ronald Edward “Ron” McKibben
Ronald Edward “Ron” McKibben, 56, of Kokomo, passed away on April 8, 2024, at Community Heart and Vascular Hospital in Indianapolis. He was born, in Kokomo, on March 27, 1968, to James L. and Dorothy A. (Pogue) McKibben.
Ron attended Northwestern High School and received his GED. He worked at Bona Vista, McKibben Enterprises, he was a baker for Déjà Vu Bakery & Deli and Uptown Bakehouse, and he worked as the programming director for Diffuse Network. Ron proudly attended Brookside Free Methodist Church. Ron’s one true love was music, as he was a talented musician and recording artist for many years. He and his brother, David, were the founding members of folk-rock bands Fingers & Sunshine, Folkus, McKibben Brothers, LongShadow, and Quantum Mechanics. Their music was played on rotation on WTTS 92.3 in the 1990s and has been featured on the radio, all over the world, since 2021.
Ron is survived by his brothers, Larry (Tracy) McKibben, David (Shelli) McKibben; wife, April; nephew, Tony (Christina) McKibben; niece, Anissa (Billy) Clarke; and great-nieces, Violet, Davina, and Kaya.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, James McKibben.
A memorial service will be held at 11 am, on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at Brookside Free Methodist Church, with Pastor Jeff Bradley and Pastor Doug Benham, officiating. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 6 to 8 pm on Monday, April 15, 2024, and from 10 am until the time of the service, on Tuesday, all at the church. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Michael “Mike” Lamar White
Michael “Mike” Lamar White, 77, Kokomo, passed away at 8:26 am Friday, April 12, 2024. He was born May 14, 1946, in Frankfort, the son to the late Leon and Patricia (Buntain) White. On June 5, 1964, he married Sheryl “Sherry” Knight, and she survives.
Mike was a 1964 graduate of Kokomo High School. He retired from Chrysler Corp. as a tool buyer after 33 years of service. Mike enjoyed fishing, hunting, and traveling with Sherry, especially to Aruba.
In addition to his wife Sherry, Mike is survived by his children, Michelle (Mike Farley) Etherington; grandchildren, Aaron (Harley) Laird, Ashley (Chris) Bandy, and Michael Etherington; great-grandchildren, Brinley, and Madeline; beloved dog, Toto; siblings, Randy (Mary) White, Danny White, Diane (Bill) Baker, and Jackie Shaffer; step-mom, Dorothy “Dot” White; in-laws, John and Edith Knight; along with 8 nieces and nephews; and 18 great-nieces and nephews.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents; son, John White; sister-in-law, Jill White; and nephew.
A graveside service will take place at 1 p.m., Friday, April 19, 2024, at Bacon Cemetery, 12401-13417 E County Road 250 N. Frankfort, IN 46039, with Pastor Toph Elkins officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, https://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/, in Mike’s memory. Stout & Son Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.
Charles Alfred Nipple
Charles Alfred Nipple, 98, passed away Thursday, April 11, 2024, at Independence Village East in Fishers. He was born February 28, 1926, in Logansport, the son of Ray and Bertha (Howard) Nipple. On May 14, 1948, he married Gloria (McDermott) Nipple, and she preceded him in death on November 9, 2020.
Charles was a World War II veteran and served in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946. He held bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Indiana State University, where he was a member of Phi Delta Kappa educational fraternity. He was a teacher, principal, and director at Garrett, Goshen, Anderson and Kokomo schools for 42 years and retired as a director of special services from the Kokomo-Center Township School Corporation in 1989. He was the thirteenth person to receive a license as a special education director in the state of Indiana. He also held a private practice license as a psychologist.
Charles was a member and held offices in the Anderson Toastmaster’s Club, the Indiana Society of Cripple Children, the Indiana United Cerebral Palsy Society, the Council for Exceptional Children, the Personnel and Guidance Association, was past chairman of the Easter Seal Society and president and secretary of the Special Education section of the Indiana State Teachers Association. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Anderson Junior Chamber of Commerce as the Outstanding Young Man of the Year in 1961. He was a charter member of the Indiana Council of Administrators of Special Education and held the office of president in 1970. He was a 50-year member of F & AM Lodge #12 in Goshen and was also a member of the American Legion Post #6 in Kokomo He served as an elder in the Kokomo First Evangelical Presbyterian Church and was an active member of Young at Heart, Omega Sunday School class and Small Bible Study Group.
Survivors include his son, Jon Charles (Ann) Nipple; daughters, Constance Jo (Phillip) Key, Deborah Ann (Robert) Christensen, and Susan Kay (Craig) Andrews; eleven grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, Gloria Nipple, he was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Wilma Nipple Walton.
Memorial services will be held on Monday, April 22, 2024, at First Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 2000 W. Jefferson St, Kokomo, with Pastor Joyce Harris officiating. Friends are invited to visit from 1 to 3 p.m. on Monday at the church. Private burial will take place in Albright Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the United States Navy and the Kokomo VFW Military Rites Team. Contributions may be made in Charles’ memory to the First Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Arrangements have been entrusted to Shirley & Stout Funeral Home in Kokomo. Messages of condolences can be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.