Obituaries, January 16, 2024
John Martin Edgemon, Jr.
John Martin Edgemon, Jr., 86, Ten Mile, TN., passed away at 11:53 am on Saturday, January 6, 2024. He was born in Wichita Falls, TN., on October 5, 1937, to the late John and Thelma (Redding) Edgemon. In Kokomo, on April 4, 1964, he married Anita Jean Edgemon, and she preceded him in death on August 19, 2021.
John graduated from Eastern-Howard County in 1955. He enlisted with the United States Air Force Reserves, where he was an airplane mechanic. He retired from Bell South Corp. of Atlanta, GA, as the manager of building operations. He was a member of the American Legion Post # 0317 for 29 years. John raced dragsters and hot rods in his younger years and was undefeated in the NHRA in 1958. He attended many NASCAR races with Anita. John owned a 1929 Ford Street Rod; it was one of his prized possessions and he continued to drive it up until a few months before he passed. He read 2 to 3 newspapers a day and liked to share articles he thought would be of interest with everyone he knew. Fishing was one of John’s favorite activities, especially with his best friend and cousin, Ross Broadway. Whenever friends or family visited John, he was sure to initiate a game of Euchre.
John is survived by his sister, Sara Jane Reed; brother-in-law, Gary (Linda) Gulley; nieces, Robin (Lyle) Hainlen, Tracy (Cameron) Keck, and Lorie Freeman; nephews, Ron (Kim) Reed, Troy (Charlotte) Reed, and Jeff (Stephanie) Reed. And many great nieces & nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife; and son, John Martin Edgemon III.
A funeral service will take place at 12 pm on Friday, January 19, 2024, at Hasler & Stout Funeral Home, 112 E Main St., Greentown, with Pastor David Stokes officiating. A private burial will take place in Greenlawn Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 10 am to 12 pm on Friday at the funeral home. The service will be livestreamed and will be available on John’s obituary page at www.hasler-stout.com. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.hasler-stout.com.
Jacquelaine Ann Mills
Jacquelaine Ann Mills, 75, of Kokomo, Indiana passed away January 15, 2024. She was born on September 20, 1948, in Kokomo, IN the daughter of Malcolm "Bus" and Sophia (Jurkewicz) Fenn.
Jackie loved bowling, fishing, and spending time with her cats. She also enjoyed going to rummage sales with her mom and sister, Marilyn.
She is survived by her sister, Marilyn (Tom) Nelson; niece, Lindsay (Adam) Waddell; nephew, Josh (Rachel Fernung) Nelson; great niece, Halle Waddell; great-nephew, Lane Waddell.
Jackie was preceded in death by her parents.
Visitation will take place from 11:00 am on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home until the start of funeral services at 12:00 pm. Burial will follow at Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery Kokomo, Indiana. Share a memory with the family at www.sunsetmemorygarden.com.
Mary Joann Lawrence
Mary Joann Lawrence, age 74, of Kokomo, Indiana passed away on Sunday, January 14, 2024.
A visitation for Mary will be held Thursday, January 18, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Abundant Life Church, 1025 County Rd E 400 S, Kokomo, Indiana 46902, followed by a funeral service at 1:00 PM.
Mr. Arvil L. Dodd
Mr. Arvil L. Dodd, age 93, of Pikeville, Tennessee passed away on Monday, January 8, 2024.
A public visitation for Arvil will be held Thursday, January 18, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home & Cemetery, 2097 West Alto Road, Kokomo, Indiana 46902. A funeral service will occur Friday, January 19, 2024, at 2:00 PM at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home & Cemetery.
Betty Jo Tilley
Betty Jo Tilley, 97, Kokomo, went home to join the other angels and to be with our Heavenly Father on January 11, 2024. She was born January 13, 1926 in Howard County to the late Leonard Riggs and Josephine (Hoover) Riggs Durr. She was the second of three children. On June 23, 1944, she married Morris “Sparky” Tilley, in Kokomo, Indiana, who preceded her in death on September 26, 2012. They were happily married for 68 years. Betty was also preceded in death by her daughter, Pamela Shoemaker and her brothers, Robert Riggs and Mahlon Durr.
Betty was a 1944 graduate of Kokomo High School. She was an excellent student and enjoyed her school years. Betty and Morris started their life together in Kokomo, Indiana, where they both were employed at Delco Remy. She left Delco Remy and started a family; two daughters and two sons. Betty was a devoted mother caring for her children, focused on raising her family and a dedicated wife who was a hard worker. She will be remembered as a kind, compassionate, strong, loving person.
Betty shared a never-ending love for her family and embraced every moment with them. She was always an example of what it means to love one another. She was our angel on earth and had a heart of GOLD. She was the greatest gift and biggest advantage that God gave her family. She was a member of Judson Road Christian Church in Kokomo. She attended on a regular basis until Covid kept her from doing so. She moved to assisted living in October 2021.
Her favorite pastimes were reading, sewing and tole painting. She loved spending time with her family. She gave 100 percent of her love, time and respect to her family.
She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs without fear of the future.
When she speaks, her words are wise,
and she gives instructions with kindness.
Proverbs 31:25-26
She will be dearly missed and will live in our hearts forever.
Survivors include her daughter, Janet (Ed) Aaron, Kokomo; Two sons, Steven (Connie) Tilley, Kokomo. Gary (Marla) Tilley, Tipton; Son-in-law, Gary Shoemaker, Kokomo; Brother, Charles (Maribeth) Durr, Brooksville, Florida. Betty is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Christine (Brent) Wines, Jason Shoemaker (Shelia), Scott (Martha) Shoemaker, Amy (Marcus) Cobbins, Joey (Kamie) Tilley, Shane (Kristen) Aaron, Shawna (Bradley) Cline, Lori (Gary) Burns, Emily (Nathan) Kruger and Spencer (Cayla) Curnutt; 18 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchild. Several nieces and nephews also survive her.
ONE BLESSED LIFE—ONE BLESSED FAMILY---
The family wants to thank the Five Star Residence of Northwoods Commons staff for the care they gave our mother during her stay with them, Ascension Hospital nursing staff and Compassus Hospice for the wonderful care they provided.
Funeral Services celebrating Betty’s life will be held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Fairfield Christian Church, 1476 E. 400 S., Kokomo, with Pastor Gary Carpenter officiating. Entombment will follow in Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10:30 a.m. until service time at the church on Saturday. Contributions may be made in Betty’s memory to the Judson Road Christian Church. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Byron Fredrick Sommers
Byron Fredrick Sommers, 90, Kokomo, died peacefully on January 11, 2024, after a long illness. He was born January 2, 1934, (or “1234,” as he liked to point out) to Noah and Esther (Strebin) Sommers.
Byron graduated from Clay Township High School in 1952 and on June 14, 1953, married Marjorie Martin. They raised three sons and enjoyed their lives together until Marjorie succumbed to cancer in 1993. In 1999, Byron married Viola Purvis, and she survives.
Retired from Chrysler and farming, he enjoyed spending time with family, appreciated hard work, and loved nothing more than a good laugh and bringing laughter to others.
In addition to Viola, Byron is also survived by his sons, Ron (Carolyn) Sommers of Kokomo, Mick (Julie) Sommers of Leola, Pennsylvania, and Larry (Julia Sibley) Sommers of Lafayette; his step-children, Gary Purvis of Kokomo, Larry (Susan) Purvis of Peru, Connie (Mike) Winkler of Kokomo, Denny (Sue) Purvis of Orlando, Florida, and Linda (Rob) Merchant of Kokomo, as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his sister, Darlene (Wayne) Miller of Bunker Hill; and his sister-in-law, Martha (Darlton) Sommers of Goshen.
In addition to Marjorie, he was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, two sisters, and his first grandchild, Brandon.
Funeral service will be held at 2 pm Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Howard Miami Mennonite Church, 3976 E 1400 S, Kokomo, with Pastor Richard Olson officiating. Burial will follow in Mast Hensler Cemetery, with military honors provided by the United States Army and the Kokomo VFW Military Rites Team. Friends may visit with the family from 12 pm to 2 pm on Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorial gifts made to the church or charity of your choice. Shirley & Stout Funeral Homes & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be made online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Glenn Earl Watkins
Glenn Earl Watkins, 77, passed away on Friday, January 12, 2024, in Evansville, Indiana. He was born on December 27, 1946, in Henderson, Kentucky, to the late Louis E. and Elsie M. Watkins.
Glenn spent his younger years in various small towns in Southern Illinois and Western Kentucky, but he spent his High School years in Evansville, Indiana, where he attended Harrison High School. During his time there he proudly earned his Varsity letter sweater by competing on the wrestling team. After graduating in 1965 he enlisted in the United State Air Force to serve his country during the Vietnam War during which he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. Glenn was Honorably Discharged in 1972 at the rank of Sergeant.
Upon exit of the military, Glenn worked in a career as an electrician in the new field of electronics. He spent 10 years working for NCR in Indianapolis and then moved to Kokomo in 1979 to advance his career while being employed with Delco Electronics. Glenn retired in Kokomo after a successful career in 2009.
While in Indianapolis, Glenn met and married the love of his life, Barbara K. Ditty, on April 7, 1973. They had two sons that he enjoyed spending time with during their sports, music, academic, and church activities. He later became an avid Purdue University fan where both his boys attended.
After his boys started families of their own, Glenn found great joy in spending time with his grandchildren, traveling with Barbara, serving in his church, and becoming a highly skilled woodworker. In his later years, Glenn served with great passion those in need with Samaritan’s Purse International Relief, Indiana Disaster Relief, and SAWS wheelchair ramp builds. Recently, he moved back to Evansville to be closer to his sisters and brother.
Surviving Glenn are his two sons and two daughters-in-law, Scott and Carrie Watkins (Marysville, Ohio); Mike and Christie Watkins (Fillmore, Indiana); six loving grandchildren, Brianna, Brady, Christian, Liel, Caleb, and Levi; sister Judy Scott (Evansville); sister Carla Young (Evansville); brother and sister-in-law Louis and Kathy Watkins (Newburgh, Indiana).
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and brother-in-law and sister, Clayton and Donna Babb.
Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 21, 2024, at Alexander East Chapel, 2115 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, IN 47714, officiated by Pastor Rod Hoschouer, Friends may visit on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until service time.
On Tuesday, January 23, 2024, friends may visit from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Ellers Mortuary Webster Street Chapel, 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo, IN 46902. Glenn’s final resting place will be Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery in Kokomo alongside his wife.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Samaritan’s Purse International Relief at www.samaritanspurse.org.
Joseph “Joe” Jenkins
Joseph “Joe” Jenkins, 77, Peru, passed away at 8:20 am Sunday, January 14, 2024, at Century Villa Heath Care and Rehabilitation. He was born November 15, 1946, in Rochester, IN to the late George and Betty (Thrush) Jenkins. On September 19, 1991, he married Hermalene in Logansport, IN.
A Rochester High School graduate, Joe proudly served in the United States Marines serving two tours in Vietnam. He was a Mason for many years. He was a special attendant at Logansport State Hospital where he retired. Joe was a member of the VFW and American Legion. He was a collector of guns and arrowheads. He enjoyed going to the casino and fishing. Joe was known to wear his heart on his sleeve, a very giving person and had a great sense of humor. He loved spending time with his family and his dog.
In addition to his wife, Hermalene Jenkins, Joe is survived by his brothers, James “Jim (Rita) Jenkins of Indiana, George Jenkins of Washington, and John Jenkins of Texas; children, Tami (Shawn) Stingel, Justin Jenkins, and Jill (Brandon) Phillips; bonus children, Jeff (Becky) Moore and Kellie (Michael) Cloutier; grandchildren, Madison Pursifull, Macen Pursifull, McKenna Stingel, Courtney Jenkins, Ar’Mony Jenkins, Marley Brannon, Gavin Brannon, Jaksyn Jenkins, Michelle Shifflett, Lindsay (Colby) Pringle, Autumn Moore, Shannon (Michael) Fuller, and Jayci Cloutier; 10 greatgrandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and his dog, Rinny.
Joe is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Susie Jenkins; and his best friend and military buddy who was like a brother to him, Michael “Doc” Day.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 22, 2024, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 West Lincoln Road with military honors by the United States Marines and the Kokomo VFW Military Rites Team. Burial will be in Marion National Cemetery, Marion Indiana. Friends may visit with the family from 10:00 a.m. until service time Monday at the funeral home. Messages of condolence may be left at www.shirleyandstout.com.