Obituaries, August 16, 2023
Nancy Ann Exmeyer
Nancy Ann Exmeyer, 93, Kokomo, passed away at 8:40 am Saturday, August 12, 2023, at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Kokomo. She was born February 4, 1930, in Kokomo, the daughter of the late Wright & Hattie (Stedham) Hobbs. On February 4, 1949, she married J. Robert “Bob” Exmeyer who preceded her in death on December 11, 2009.
Nancy was a 1948 graduate of West Middleton High School. She loved being outdoors gardening or hunting for mushrooms and she also sold pumpkins. Nancy was a supporter of the Howard County 4-H Fair and looked forward to spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Nancy is survived by her children, Tim Exmeyer (Greg Rush), Dan Exmeyer, Bobby (Tammie) Exmeyer and Jane Trenary; grandchildren, Chelsea (Adam) VanCamp, Ciera (Adam) Vega, Leah Exmeyer, Keith Exmeyer, Rachel (Titus) Michael, Amanda (Ryan) Inman, Sandy (Clint) Meeks and Carina Street; 13 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Fred (Janis) Blue; sister-in-law, Carolyn Hobbs, along with several nieces and nephews.
Nancy was preceded in death by her parents; infant daughter, Priscilla Ann Exmeyer; 3 brothers and 2 sisters; and son-in-law, Jeff Trenary.
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Friday, August 18, 2023, at Stout & Son Funeral Home, 200 E. Main Street, Russiaville with Pastor Jason Grant officiating. Burial will follow in Barnett Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4-7 pm Thursday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in Nancy’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, stjude.org or the Kokomo Humane Society, kokomohumane.org. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.stoutandson.com.
Marsha Louise Ward
Marsha Louise Ward, 76, Kokomo, passed away peacefully with family at her side on Friday, August 11, 2023, at her daughter’s home. She was born on December 29, 1946, in Carbondale, Illinois to the late Robert and Dorothy McCormack and was the oldest of three children. On June 3, 1967, she married Daniel Ward, who preceded her in death.
She grew up in Murphysboro, Illinois where she graduated in 1964 from Murphysboro Township High School. After graduation she attended the St. Louis City Hospital School of Nursing where she became a registered nurse in 1967.
At a young age, Marsha met her future husband, Daniel Ward Sr. while vacationing with her family at Ward’s Resort in southern Missouri. Repeated family vacations over the years allowed them time to become friends and pen-pals which eventually, after long-distance dating in college, to become husband and wife.
Marsha worked briefly at Rolla Memorial Hospital in Rolla, Missouri where Dan attended college. She then traveled with Dan to Kokomo, Indiana in 1968 where she was employed at both local hospitals as a surgical and an emergency room nurse. She later went on to work at the Indiana Health Center where she served as a clinic nurse for the Women, Infant, Children program. After that, she worked as a case manager for Big Brothers Big Sisters in the mentor mother program and as a substitute school nurse.
Marsha and Dan were world travelers and explored Europe, Australia, New Zealand, China, Tibet, most of Central America, and the Caribbean. She also visited all 50 states in the United States. She participated in mission trips to Central America, India, Africa and in the United States.
She was a member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She served in many capacities over the years: elder, Sunday school teacher, church camp nurse/counselor and parish nurse.
Marsha enjoyed meeting new people and fostering connections. She was passionate about volunteering with Scouts, church, school and in the community. She understood the value of helping others and strived to help them understand how to learn, grow, and fit into the world around them. Her volunteer work within the Kokomo community allowed her to share time and efforts with other people who were dedicated to bettering the world.
She fiercely loved her family and friends, and she will be deeply missed by them.
Marsha is survived by her children, Daniel (Julie) Ward, Matthew (Wendy) Ward, and Rebecca (Andrew) Martin; daughter in law, Samantha Ward; brothers, Robert (Barbara) McCormack, Mark McCormack; and grandchildren, Lauren, Nathan, Sydney and Jenelle Ward, Benjamin (Teresa) and Timothy Ward, Emily and Jacob Martin.
Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, Dan, and son, Luke.
A celebration of life service will be held at 11:30 am on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at First Christian Church, 854 County Rd. 300 W., Kokomo, with Rev. Dr. Al Adams officiating. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10:00 am until the time of service, on Saturday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church in Marsha’s name. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Opal Irene White
Opal Irene White, 87, of Kokomo, Indiana passed away August 13, 2023. She was born on October 27, 1935 in Olive Hill, KY the daughter of Cecil and Avanelle (Cartee) Abbott. She married Frank White who survives. She worked at K-Mart for 17 years in the sporting goods department. Opal loved planting flowers during the Spring and Summer, adult coloring books, mowing her yard, and cooking. She also loved watching football with her husband, Frank.
Left to cherish her memory is her husband of 48 years, Frank; Amber (Tim Smith) Evans; bonus children, Frankie, Marcella, Deborah, Cindy, Sandy; grandchildren, Serria (Sullivan), Cecilia, Julia (Josh), Danny Jr.; great-grandchild, Finnley; and many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Doug and sister, Barbara; mother-in-law, Nell.
All services will remain private. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Opal's name to Alzheimer's Research. Share a memory with the family at www.ellersmortuary.com.
Michael Lee Williams
Michael Lee Williams, 65, Kokomo, passed away at 10:41 am on Friday, August 11, 2023, at Community Howard Regional Health. He was born on August 12, 1957, the son of Ralph and Suzanne Williams. On December 25, 1983, he married Rita Ann Graves, in Battle Ground, Indiana, and she survives.
Michael graduated from Harrison High School. After high school he went to Purdue University where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He worked at General Motors then went to work at Chrysler where he retired from in January of 2023. Michael enjoyed RC airplanes and cars, gaming, and computers.
He is survived by his wife, Rita Williams; stepdaughter, Sherry (Brandon) Collins; granddaughter, Autumn Brady; and step grandson, Joe Collins.
Preceding him in death are his parents, Ralph and Suzanne Williams.
There will be no services at this time. Memorial contributions may be made in Michael’s memory to the American Cancer Society, https://donate.cancer.org. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with cremation. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.