Obituaries, December 9, 2023
Bruce Leon Price
Bruce Leon Price, 86, Kokomo, passed away on December 6, 2023, at Wesleyan Healthcare in Marion. He was born on April 25, 1937, in Kokomo, to Charles and Mary (Harmon) Price.
Bruce attended Kokomo High School, until he enlisted in the United States Army, in 1954. He served his country for 22 years, before retiring with the rank of Staff Sergeant. Bruce was a proud veteran and lifelong member of the Kokomo VFW and the American Legion. He was a member of the 40 and 8 group. Bruce was an avid fisherman, loved baseball, and loved spending time with his fellow veterans and friends at the VFW. He loved country music and singing karaoke. Bruce was a very giving man, always donating to charities and those in need.
Bruce is survived by his son, Gayle (Deb) Price and daughter, Diana (Rainer) Crepaldi-Price; 10 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren; one cousin; several nieces and nephews; and special friend, Irma Beacraft.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, William (Sue) Price, Norman (Lottie) Price, and Gail Price; and sister, Eileen (Clayton) Duncan.
A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Monday, December 11, 2023, at Shirley and Stout Funeral Home, 414 W. Jefferson St., Kokomo, IN 46901, with Pastor Jason Grant officiating. Friends are welcome to visit with the family from 10 am until the time of the service on Monday, at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Marion National Cemetery on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at 11 am, with military honors by the Kokomo VFW and the United States Army. Memorial contributions may be made in Bruce’s honor to a charity of your choice. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
John Armstrong Garr
John Armstrong Garr, 98, Converse, passed away peacefully, Thursday, December 7, 2023, at his home. He was born on August 10, 1925, to Clarence and Garnett (Armstrong) Garr. On February 11, 1956, he married Inez L. Foust, and she preceded him in death on November 14, 2021.
John was a 1943 graduate of Jackson Township High School and proud, longtime farmer. John proudly served his country in the United States Air Force as a mechanic and flight engineer. He was an avid Purdue fan, loved watching basketball, enjoyed kite flying, and was a member of the Methodist Church of Converse. He was a Past Master of the Grant Lodge #637 of Swayzee. John had a great sense of humor and was a man of integrity. His genuine, patient nature was evident as a loving husband, father, and grandfather.
John is survived by his daughter, Jane Garr; son, John Garr II; grandchildren, Craig (Eryn) Barker, Bradley (Kristin) Barker and Michael Barker; great-grandchildren, Carly Barker and Ava Barker; and his dog Nash.
John is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Betty (Garr) Jacobs; daughter, Leesa Garr; and wife, Inez Garr.
A funeral service will be held at 2 pm on Monday, December 11, 2023, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 W Lincoln Road, Kokomo, with Pastor Greg Townsend officiating. Burial will follow in Kokomo Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 12 pm until the start of the service on Monday at the funeral home. Friends are invited to join the family at Olive Garden for food and fellowship after the burial. Memorial contributions may be made to Grant Lodge #637, Swayzee, IN., now part of Fairmount Lodge #635 in Fairmount, IN and the Greentown Volunteer Fire Department. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.hasler-stout.com.
Linda A. Waggoner
Linda A. Waggoner, 74, Kokomo, passed away at 4:55 am on Thursday, December 7, 2023, at Brickyard Healthcare, Kokomo. She was born in Delphi, IN. on July 6, 1949, to the late Dale Birley and Kate (Randall) Myer. On December 3, 1994, she married Billie F. Waggoner, and he preceded her in death on September 1, 2022.
Linda worked for Federal-Mogul. She enjoyed camping, collecting Native American items, and loved her dog, Scooby.
Linda is survived by her stepson, Todd (Melanie) Waggoner; grandson, Dillon Waggoner; great niece, Ariel; and sister, Sandi.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, and stepfather, Vern Myer, whom she considered her father.
A funeral service will be held at 1 pm on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo. Burial will follow in Crown Point Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 12 pm to 1 pm on Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fellowship of Hope. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Jerald “Jerry” Strawhacker
Jerald “Jerry” Strawhacker, 82, Kokomo, passed away at 11:53 am Friday, December 3, 2023, at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Kokomo. He was born June 17, 1941, in Galesburg, Illinois, the son of the late Carl & Evelyn (Kimler) Strawhacker. On February 11, 1967, at St. Mark’s Methodist Church in Council Bluffs, Iowa, he married Joan King and she survives.
Jerry was a 1959 graduate of Galesburg Sr High School and a 1970 graduate of Valparaiso Technical Institute where he earned an associate degree in electronic engineering technology. He served in the United States Army from 1963-1966. Jerry retired in April of 2001 from Delphi Electronics after 29 years of service as an electronic technician. Jerry's love of children and wanting to make a difference in their lives allowed him to work with Kokomo School Corporation as a Paraprofessional for 11 years serving with Maple Crest and Central Middle schools.
Jerry was a member of Shiloh United Methodist Church, serving as Sunday school superintendent, chairman of staff parish for one year, Methodist Men’s President for 2 years, and was a member of the Inquisitor’s Sunday School Class. He was also a member of the Steering Committee for the Howard County Creation Care Group. Jerry was an amateur radio operator in his earlier years and enjoyed woodworking along with several other hobbies. He was a fixer of all things and a professional putterer because he didn’t like to sit down for very long.
Jerry served as a PAL soccer coach for 15 years from 1981-1996, KHS co-ed soccer coach, and later girls varsity soccer coach. He loved tending to his vegetable garden, watching old cartoons and animated movies, and traveling. He was endlessly kind, patient, and a thoughtful teacher to all who would listen. He was a quiet servant and supportive husband, father, and grandfather.
Along with his wife Joan, Jerry is also survived by his children, Julie Strawhacker and Jason (Jennifer) Strawhacker; grandchildren, Andrew Strawhacker, Noah Strawhacker, and Sam Strawhacker; and sister, Joyce (Eugene) Bell.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Nancy Strawhacker; and brother, John Strawhacker.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm Friday, December 15, 2023, at Shiloh United Methodist Church, 5741 W. 100 N., Kokomo, with Pastor Joe Johnson officiating. Friends are invited to visit with family from 1-3 pm Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jerry’s memory to Neurofibromatosis Foundation or Shiloh United Methodist Church. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.