Obituaries, April 27, 2023
Audrey Jerline Armour
Audrey Jerline Armour (84) passed away peacefully on April 24, 2023 at her home in Kokomo, IN. She was born on November 12, 1938 in Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee to Dumas & Dorchie (Turner) Armour. Audrey graduated from Forest High School in 1950 and proceeded to work at Cuneo Press as a proof-reader/secretary. For 41 years following, Audrey worked for Delco/Delphi Electronics where she made lifelong friendships. She was a member of The Moose & The Eagles, where you could often find her enjoying her favorite past time of playing cards & more than likely winning as Lady Luck was always on her side. Audrey was also fond of all babies & small animals. Even in her last days, she enjoyed going to Highland Park and hand feeding the ducks and squirrels. Feeding others (regardless if human or animal), was her main love language as she was a wonderful cook.
Surviving relatives are her loving daughter Gina (John) Beechy, Granddaughters, Whittney (Austin) Parkinson, Alex (Brandon) Howell, Madlyn Beechy & Rilyn Beechy. Brother, Bill Armour & sisters Barbara Heckert & Marilyn (Bob) Johnson, as well as 4 great-grandchildren. Audrey was proceeded in death by her parents and baby sister, Brenda Armour.
The family will be receiving friends at Sunset Memory Gardens in Kokomo on Friday, April 28, 2023 from 10-12. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.sunsetmemorygarden.com.
Julie Anne Rawls
Julie Anne Rawls, 68, Kokomo, passed away Sunday, April 23, 2023, at her home. She was born June 25, 1954, in Kokomo, the daughter of the late Richard L. & Ladonna (McFarland) Rayl. On June 1, 2008, she married James Rawls who survives.
Julie was a 1972 graduate of Taylor High School and a 1976 graduate of Ball State University. She attended San Diego State University from 1982-1983 for her California teaching license. She then earned her master’s degree from Indiana Wesleyan University in 1997. Her care and dedication as an educator were evident in her 25 years as a teacher serving with Sweetwater Union High School District in Chula Vista, California and Noblesville Schools Corporation in Noblesville, Indiana.
As a loving and caring wife and mother, Julie cherished time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren. She was a member of Judson Road Christian Church and her compassion and generosity were evident in how she helped others.
Along with her husband James, Julie is also survived by her daughters, Amanda (Eric) Newcomer and Marissa (Alan) Yang; step-children, Kevin (Erin) Rawls, Kristy (Sean) Parrish and Brad (Maggie) Rawls; grandchildren, Ali Rawls, Tanner Rawls, Hailey Parrish, Braxton Parrish, Sophie Rawls, Liam Rawls, Owen Rawls, Olive Newcomer, June Newcomer, Lylah Yang, Alice Yang, Claire Yang and Hazel Yang; siblings, David Rayl, Kyle Rayl, Dana Rayl West, Karen Robertson and Jan Rich, along with several nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm Friday, April 28, 2023, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo, with Brandon Bentch officiating. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10:00 am until time of service Friday at the funeral home. In honor of her love for dogs, memorial contributions may be made in Julie’s memory to the Kokomo Humane Society. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Allen C. Koontz
Allen C. Koontz, 89, Kokomo, passed away at 8:28 am on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at Community Howard Regional Hospital. He was born on January 12, 1934, in Milwaukee, WI, the son of the late Emanuel Bowman and Ethel C. (Grube) Koontz. On November 7, 1956, in Speicher, Germany, he married Anneliese Müller, and she survives.
Allen graduated from Westboro High School in Westbrook, Wisconsin. He served his country in the United States Air Force from 1953 to 1973, attaining the rank of TSgt. After his retirement from the Air Force, he worked for Sears as an Appliance Repairman until his retirement in 1995. He was a member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, D.A.N.K., and the Kiwanis Club. He enjoyed playing golf, especially at the Wildkat Creek Golf Course, and had learned to love fishing at Mondeaux Lake in northern Wisconsin, where his family operated their business. Allen and Anneliese enjoyed spending their winters in St. Petersburg FL for over 20 years.
Along with his wife, Anneliese, Allen is survived by his children, Allen (Jackie) Koontz, Diane Howard, and John (Mitzi) Koontz; grandchildren, Nikki (Jim) Killian, Ashley (Travis) Lee, Alice Koontz, Donald (fiancé, Cassidy Meyers) Howard, Piper Koontz, and Reese Koontz; great grandchildren, Noah, Amelia, Declyn, Collins, Monroe, and Emerson; granddaughter-in-law, Kassandra Koontz; brother, James Koontz; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Jerry Koontz; son-in-law, Don W. Howard; and grandson, Carl Koontz.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:30 pm on Monday, May 1, 2023, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 3155 County Road S. 200 W., Kokomo, with Rev. Fr. Elliot Zak the celebrant. Burial will follow in Albright Cemetery, with military honors provided by the United States Air Force and the Kokomo VFW Military Rites Team. Friends may visit with the family from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm on Monday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Deputy Carl A. Koontz Memorial Scholarship Fund or St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church. Shirley & Stout Funeral Homes have been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Darlene "Dolly" May Wilkerson
Darlene "Dolly" May Wilkerson passed peacefully this Tuesday April 25th, 2023, at Kokomo Place at 5pm. She has gone to receive her great reward and to reunite with her loved ones.
Known to all as Dolly, she enjoyed family and never met a stranger. Dolly retired from Delco in the late 90s where she worked on the line. There were so many fond memories we shared with her, like when she would fix her secret recipes to her family. Some of her favorite music included The Gathers, Crabb Family and Elvis. She loved to watch the Andy Griffith Show and Gunsmoke.
She was preceded in death by her parents Rex James (Joyce) and Betty Pattmore; her sister Caroline Wheeler; son Jeffrey McAninch; her husband Robert Wilkerson; and many of her Shitsu's who she loved dearly.
She is survived by her son Timothy McAninch (Regina); stepson Adam Wilkerson; brother Rex James Jr. (Lisa); sister Penny (Craig) Stone; grandchildren Kayleigh McAninch, Tori McAninch, Allen-Michael McAninch, Jeffrey McAninch, Reanna (Josh) Chilcote; many great-grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
The family will be receiving visitors at Ellers Mortuary on Webster Street at 4 p.m. on May 1st 2023. Services will begin May 2nd 2023 at 12:00 PM. Come celebrate her homegoing.
Teresa L. Whitesell
Teresa L. Whitesell, 62, Kokomo, passed away at 9:32 pm on Sunday April 23, 2023, at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital 86th Street, Indianapolis. She was born in Marion, IN on September 27, 1960, to David Sopher and Linda (McFarren) Whitesell.
Teresa graduated from Eastbrook High School in 1978. She was a teacher at Finding Me Now Daycare for the last 10 years. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed attending dirt track races, being outdoors, and gardening.
Teresa is survived by her mother, Linda; daughters, Helena (Christopher Paulson) Blackburn, and Kristi (Josh) Gamblin; grandchildren, Bridgett (Kaden Krizer) Batchelor, Phoebe Batchelor, Aiden Gamblin, Jocelyn Wagoner, and Jordan Wagoner; bonus grandchildren, Kat Fink and Jadah Rogers; sister-in-law, Catherine Whitesell; several nieces & nephews; cat, Zuma; and dog, Niko.
She was preceded in death by her father, David; brother, Carney Dean Whitesell; and significant other, Michael Rodkey.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm Friday May 5, 2023, at Gospel Light Mission Church, 1407 Belmont Ave, Kokomo, with Pastor Terry Russell officiating. Friends may visit with the family from Noon until time of service on Friday at church. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Association. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.