Obituaries, December 21, 2023
Karen "Sue" Bowser
Karen "Sue" Bowser, age 65, of Kokomo, Indiana passed away on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at Ascension St. Vincent Kokomo. She was born in Tipton, Indiana to the late Cordell and Hassie (Boles) Dulworth on April 12, 1958. She was married to Barry Bowser and he survives.
Karen worked at Delco Electronics and was member UAW #292. Karen enjoyed playing golf, arts and crafts, and spending time with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed spending time with her dog, Dexter.
She is survived by her loving husband, Barry; two sons, Brad and Jeremy Marr; two daughters, Dusty and Sabrina Bowser; sister, Anne Moore; three brothers, Ray, Lawrence, and Larry Dulworth; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents; and sister, Deanie Lytle.
There will be a time of visitation for Karen on Thursday, December 21, 2023, from 11:00 A.M. until the time of service at 1:00 P.M. at Ellers Mortuary Webster Chapel, 3400 South Webster Street, Kokomo. Pastor Terry Russell will be officiating. Burial will follow to Windfall Cemetery. You may leave an online condolence for Karen's family at www.ellersmortuarywebster.com.
Sharon Kay Yockey
Sharon Kay Yockey, age 76, of Muncie, Indiana passed away on Saturday, December 16, 2023. She was born April 25, 1947, in Kokomo, Indiana to the late Harold and Audrey Sapp. Attending Sharpsville High School, she was a long-time resident of Kokomo before moving to Fort Wayne, IN to be closer to her daughter Kim in 2010. In 2013, she then moved back to Kokomo to be closer to other dear friends and family before moving one final time to Muncie, IN in 2016 to live in a side-by-side condo with Kim and her husband Roy.
In her youth, Sharon loved riding and showing horses with her dad. Along with horses, she loved animals with devoted compassion and could always be found with one by her side. Family and friends are what Sharon cherished most throughout her life and her family finds solace in the idea that, no longer in pain and confined to her scooter, she is riding horses with her dad once again in heaven.
In her personal life, Sharon eagerly looked forward to the daily phone calls and frequent visits from her son, Greg, when they would go on long drives and spend valued time with one another. She loved spending time or chatting on the phone with her stepdaughter Mary, as well as visiting, whether over the phone or in person, her cousins in Lexington, KY.
Sharon is survived by her children, Greg Ailor and Kimberly Padgett (Roy), and stepdaughter Mary Roller (Brad); grandchildren: Allison Exmeyer (Chad), Alex Ailor (Sarah), Trelanie Weirauch (Dan), Shelby Pavelka (Kelsey), Toria Adams (John), and Cheyenne Williamson (Connor); great grandchildren: Enzie Exmeyer, Arianna Spencer, McKenna Adams, Audrey Ailor, Emma Ailor, Evelyn Ailor, Giana Pavelka, Luka Pavelka, and Connor Pavelka; as well as beloved cousins and dear friends whom she thought of as family.
In addition to her parents Sharon is preceded in death by her husband Richard Yockey, as well as dozens of cherished animals she loved and cared for over her lifetime. It was her ultimate wish to remain with her family at home in her last days and her family finds peace in knowing they were able to grant her this last wish.
A visitation for Sharon will be held Friday, December 22, 2023, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Ellers Mortuary & Crematory Center, 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo, Indiana 46902, followed by a funeral service at 1:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Sharon's memory may be made to Brighton Hospice, 280 E 96th St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46240. While the family wasn’t able to use the aid of Brighton Hospice for more than a few days, the comfort and compassion they were able to bring Sharon and her family in the final days was far greater than hours spent doing so.
Terry Wayne Lorts
Terry Wayne Lorts, age 84, of Sharpsville, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 16, 2023. He was born on June 1, 1939 in Tipton, to his parents, Wayne Lorts and Donna Dee (Cottingham) Lorts.
Terry graduated from Sharpsville High School in the class of 1957. He dedicated his whole life to farming. It wasn’t just work for him, it was his identity. Terry had an impeccable work ethic that others greatly respected him for. After his retirement, Terry worked for Smith Farms. He enjoyed teaching others everything he had learned through the years.
Terry was incredibly driven, and always had his time filled with the things that had to be done. He never made much time for hobbies. However, he and his two sons had the privilege of running Lorts Racing Stables. Terry very much enjoyed working with his children; many lasting memories were made. Anyone who knew Terry would tell you that he was a great guy. Many appreciated him for his no nonsense approach to life! He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
Those left to carry on Terry’s legacy of love are his children, Dan (Jean) Lorts, John (Tammy) Lorts; grandchildren, Colten Lorts, Nicole Phillips, Jaina (Myles) Hattabaugh, Jhade Pavan, Justin Pavan; great grandchildren, Corbin Wilken, Keegan Phillips, Chase Pavan, Mylo Hattabaugh; siblings, Sandy Jo (Jim) Richie, Ted Lorts, Ricky (Ron) Moeller.
Terry was preceded in death by his parents, Wayne & Donna Dee Lorts; brother, Dickie Lorts; sister-in-law, Sandy Jean Lorts.
A graveside service celebrating Terry’s life will be held on Friday, December 22, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Nevada Cemetery in Windfall, Indiana, with Pastor Joe Brock officiating.
Taylor & Cowan Funeral Home is honored to serve the Lorts family in their time of need.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to The Special Educaton Dept. at Tri-Central High School, c/o Maureen Arnold.
Thomas “Tom” Carlton Patterson
Thomas “Tom” Carlton Patterson, 102, of Kokomo, passed away on Friday, December 15, 2023, at Community Howard Regional Health. He was born on April 8, 1921, in Miami County, IN, the son of James O. and Hazel M. (McCain) Patterson. On August 2, 1944, he married Margaret E. Nowak, and she preceded him in death on September 9, 1988.
Tom graduated from Union Township High School in 1939. He proudly served in the United States Navy. He worked as an Engineer at Delco Electronics, retiring after 38 years of service. In retirement Tom enjoyed painting and entered the Indiana State Fair art contest several times, winning multiple awards. He traveled extensively and visited all 50 states and some of the provinces of Canada. He was very proud of his grandchildren and great grandchild, and treasured the time he spent with them. Tom was a 50-year member of the Indiana Grand Masonic Lodge and the Scottish Rite. He was Past Master of Howard Masonic Lodge F&AM 93, Past Commander of Kokomo Commandry 36, and Past Patron of Kokomo Chapter 89 Order of Eastern Star. He was also a member of Main Street United Methodist Church.
Tom is survived by his children, Connie Patterson, Dr. David (Dr. Norma) Patterson, and Phyllis (Peter) Sills; grandchildren, Sean Patterson, Amelia Patterson, Dr. Elizabeth (Matthew Perreault) Sills, and Colin Patterson; and his great-grandson, Remy Perreault.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and sister, Edna McCrumb.
A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo, IN, with Pastor Julia Pritchett-Gonzales. Entombment will follow in Sunset Memory Garden Mausoleum. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Main Street United Methodist Church in Tom’s memory. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Dympna Mary Orttel
Dympna Mary Orttel, 87, of Kokomo, Indiana passed away December 19, 2023. She was born on May 9, 1936 in Coolany, Ireland the seventh of eleven children born to William and Mary J. O'Sullivan. She followed her heart and left Ireland in 1956 with her husband, Jack Fish Sr. Together they would bring four children in to the world before going separate ways. in 1967 she married William Orttel and they were together for 36 years until his passing in 2003. Together they had one child. Dympna enjoyed gardening, crocheting, needlepoint, and socializing with friends. She celebrated her Irish roots and always looked forward to raising a glass on St. Patrick's Day. She was very proud when she became a naturalized American Citizen in 1970 and was a life member of VFW Auxiliary Post #1152. She will be remembered as a strong woman who told it like it was. Despite her small physique, she was a giant full of truth, integrity and compassion. Her words of sage and wealth of knowledge will be sadly missed.
She is survived by her daughter, Valerie (Steve) Ross; sons, William (Sue) Fish, Ronald Scott (Melinda) Orttel; 9 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren.
Dympna was preceded in death by her parents; husband, William Orttel; sons, Jack Jr. and Carl Fish; brothers, John, Tom, William, Noel; sisters, Kathleen, Nora, Philomenia, Maureen, Sheila, and Bernadette; great-grandchild, Terrance Pittman Fish.
Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the start of Funeral Services at 12:00 pm on Thursday, December 28, 2023, at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home 2097 W. Alto Road, Kokomo, IN. Entombment will follow at Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery. Share a memory with the family at www.sunsetmemorygarden.com.
Phoebe Ellen Carter
Phoebe Ellen Carter, 80, of Kokomo, Indiana passed away December 18, 2023. She was born on September 26, 1943 in Kokomo, IN the daughter of George and Mary Edith Poppas (Phipps). She married Henry Lee Carter who survives.
Phoebe graduated from Kokomo High School in 1961 and from Ball State University in 1978. Phoebe was a local CPA for over 20 years. She served two terms on the Kokomo School Board. She was the youngest of thirteen children. Phoebe enjoyed traveling all over with her husband, spending time with her family, and visiting their home in Tennessee. She was very generous with her time and love for others.
Surviving relatives include her husband, Henry "Lee" Carter of Kokomo, IN; sister, Grace Kingseed of Kokomo, IN; brothers, John Poppas (Marianne) of Oakland, CA; Tom Poppas of Kokomo, IN; sister, Vannetta Beckman (George) of Cary, NC; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and six sisters.
Visitation will be 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Thursday, January 4, 2024, at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home. Funeral services 2:00 PM Thursday, January 4, 2024, at the funeral home. Entombment will follow at Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery Kokomo, Indiana. Share a memory with the family at www.sunsetmemorygarden.com.