Obituaries, February 27, 2024
Marilyn Nancy Haigh
Marilyn Nancy Haigh, age 89, of Kokomo, Indiana passed away on Friday, February 23, 2024, at her residence. She was born on July 17, 1934, in Lansing, Mich., to the late Robert and Roena "Ruth" Kibby.
Marilyn was a homemaker who cared deeply for her two sons, Michael and Danny. She enjoyed reading and movies when she wasn't taking care of the home and kids. Her favorite spiritual leader and author was Billy Graham. She also enjoyed cooking and conversation with friends and family. She never knew a stranger and welcomed them into her home. She always made time to lend a sympathetic ear especially to Danny's long-time friend, Jim Crume.
She is survived by two sons, Danny Haigh and Michael Haigh; grandchildren, David Haigh, Vanessa Kumar (Haigh), and Kevin Haigh; and great-grandchildren Reyna Haigh and Ezrin Haigh.
There will be a time of visitation for Marilyn on Thursday, February 29, 2024, from 10:00 AM until the time of the funeral service at 12:00 PM at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home, 2097 West Alto Road, Kokomo, IN 46902. Pastor Terry Russell will be officiating. Burial will follow to Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery.
Roger Lee Pyle
Roger Lee Pyle, 91, of Kokomo, Indiana passed away February 23, 2024. He was born on January 19, 1933, in Swayzee, Indiana the son of Lester and Essa Pyle (Vance). On October 18, 1958, in Converse, Indiana, he married Virginia H. Pyle who preceded him in death on September 7, 1999. On March 1, 2012, he married Cindy Pyle who survives. Roger graduated from Swayzee High School where he played basketball. He was a Korean War veteran of the United States Coast Guard. Roger was a member of the American Legion, UAW #685, Eagles Post #6 and the VFW. He worked as an electrician for Chrysler, Anderson Delco and Universal Electric in Marion, IN. He enjoyed dancing, fishing, bowling, hunting, golfing, and karaoke. He also enjoyed going to garage sales and Bluegrass Festivals. Roger was a very competitive man.
Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife, Cindy; sons, Paul (Bonnie) Pyle; David (Sue) Pyle, Mark (Wendy) Pyle, Rodney (Arlene) Pyle; stepson, Todd Herren; stepdaughter, Heather Herren; several grandchildren and step-grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren; sister Suzy Pyle.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; brother, Vance; sister, Patricia; granddaughter, Jennifer; step-grandson, Sebastian.
Visitation will take place at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home, 2097 W. Alto Road, Kokomo, Indiana on Thursday, February 29, 2024, from 4:00 - 7:00. Funeral Services will take place on Friday, March 1, 2024, at 11:00 at the funeral home. Entombment will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Share a memory with the family at www.sunsetmemorygarden.com.
John Edward Burkett
John Edward Burkett, age 72, of Tipton, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 24, 2024, with his loving family by his side. John was born on November 15, 1951, to his parents, Leroy Burkett and Gracie Jane (Rudkin) Burkett.
John was a 1969 graduate of Tipton High School. Through the years, John was a devoted farmer and truck driver; he was proud to say that he drove 48 states and over a million miles. John had an impeccable work ethic and provided well for his family. He was dependable, sincere, and incredibly loyal to those he loved. His favorite thing in the world was spending time with his kids and grandkids. Family gatherings were always so fun, and memorable. John was a great cook, and will always be famous for his amazing meatloaf, apple pie, and fried potatoes. John often picked up his granddaughters and shared quality time. This started from the time they were very young. He taught each of them how to ride a bike, mow the lawn, shoot a gun, drive a car, and how to train animals, (even his very contrary chickens). Sometimes they would have dinner and a movie, other times they would go for a walk in the woods with the dogs. No matter what the activity, the girls always knew they had their grandpa’s full attention and unconditional love. It’s safe to say, John was an absolute treasure to his family and will be missed beyond measure.
Those left to carry on John’s legacy of love are his children, Jennifer L. Burkett, Shane E. (Jess) Burkett; granddaughters, Allyson Henderson, Paige Burkett, Haley Burkett; sister, Linda (Larry) Keifer; niece, Laura Powell; great niece, Alexandra Powell; and beloved dogs, Piper & Sadie.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Leroy & Gracie Burkett; wife, Sue Burkett; and brother, Michael Burkett.
An informal visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, March 1, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Taylor & Cowan Funeral Home, located at 314 N. Main St. In Tipton.
Taylor & Cowan Funeral Home is honored to serve the Burkett family in their time of need.
Don Harold Burdison II
Don Harold Burdison II left this world to return to God on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. He lived an incredible life and valued people over anything material. He was a man of great faith. His love and generosity were unlimited and extended beyond family, friends, and clients to strangers including people he met on the street and people he would never meet who were helped through charities he supported.
Family was Don’s priority. He was a wonderful husband, ultimate partner, and best friend to his wife of 20 years, Marianne Burdison. He was incredibly proud of his children, Don David Burdison and wife Katie Burdison, and Joseph John Grippe III and wife Micheal Grippe. Don also loved his niece, Victoria Failor, and thought of her as one of the kids. He was thrilled to have 10 grandchildren and loved them all immensely: Don David (II), Tripp, Isabella, Joshua, Elijah, Nolyn, Bradyn, Austin, Alyze, and Sophia.
Don dearly loved his three sisters, Brigette Jones, Laura Osgood, and Jamie Boehl. He considered Chuck Jones (Brigette), Brian Osgood (Laura), and Tommy Slagle (Marianne’s brother), as more than brothers-in-law, and called them true brothers. Don was always close to his mother, Barbara, who went home to God in 2017.
Don was proud of his service in the U.S. Army and his honorable discharge. Later in life, Don worked helping people in recovery from addictions for over a decade, using his personal experience and training to help so many others. He then built his own trucking business and through it, provided jobs for others and created sufficient income to support his family and help friends and his community.
Don had two mottos he lived by. The first was “we always have enough.” He believed that as long as he did his best to follow God’s plan, that God would always provide. That faith underpinned his great generosity to others.
The second was “it’s all about the story you tell yourself.” He knew that God gives us a choice to see the positive or the negative in any situation and whichever story we choose to tell ourselves defines whether we feel joy or sadness, as well as the path we take forward. He believed that the best way to follow God’s plan for his life was by letting go of past negative experiences, not holding on to regrets or grudges, and seeing God’s hand in everything that life brought him.
All are welcome to help remember and celebrate Don’s life on Saturday, March 2, 2024. The Memorial Service will be from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. The service and celebration will take place at 10624 W, 100 S, Russiaville, Indiana.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Don’s memory to any nonprofit organization in your community that supports people recovering from addictions or who are homeless. City of Firsts Cremation and Funeral Services by Rose and Geiger was entrusted with handling arrangements.
Betty L. Bott
Betty L. Bott, aged 93, passed away peacefully at home on February 23, 2024. She was born on November 28, 1929, in Jericho, Wisconsin, to Matilda and Simon Hoffmann. She married Jerome "Jerry" M. Bott on June 4, 1955, at Saint Thomas Aquinas Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Betty was a devoted wife and mother of 4 children. They lived in Milwaukee until 1971 when they moved to Kokomo, Indiana. Betty enjoyed being a stay-at-home wife and mother. She was an active member of the Grace Community Four Square Church in Kokomo, and she was a prayer warrior for family, friends and others. Betty enjoyed traveling and those adventures took her to Jordan, Israel, Egypt, the Bahamas and all across the United States. She also loved to drive, a skill she learned later in life.
Betty is survived by her children, Patricia Crabb, Daniel (Michele) and Suzanne (Julio) Parada. She has 8 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, whom she deeply loved.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Jerilyn; brother, Leroy; sisters, Mary, Dorothy and JoAnn; and son-in-law, Fletcher.
Visitation will be from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM on Friday, March 8, 2024, at Ellers Mortuary & Cremation Center. Funeral services will take place at 2:00 PM Friday, March 8, 2024, at Ellers Mortuary & Cremation Center 3400 S. Webster Street Kokomo, Indiana 46902. Burial will follow at Kokomo Memorial Park Kokomo, Indiana. Share a memory with the family at www.ellersmortuary.com.