Obituaries, January 19, 2024
Ethelyn Louise (Krieg) Dwigans
Ethelyn Louise (Krieg) Dwigans, 87, of Kokomo, Indiana passed away at 12:45 pm, January 17, 2024, at her home with family and friends by her side. Ethelyn, a Kokomo native, will be greatly missed by her family and many lifelong friends. She was born February 21, 1936, in Kokomo to C. Donald and Dorothy Lavelle (Barnett) Krieg. On August 14, 1954, at Main Street Christian Church in Kokomo, she married Phillip J. Dwigans who survives.
Ethelyn is a 1954 graduate of Kokomo High School. She retired from Kokomo Center Schools where she served as a teacher’s aide. She had also worked for Indiana Bell and Gourmet Café. She attended the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she loved the Lord Jesus Christ and ministered to members of the congregation, her family, friends, and neighbors. Ethelyn was an avid reader. She loved gardening, playing the piano, coloring, working puzzles and playing dominoes. She was a member of the YMCA and enjoyed reading history, mysteries and romance books. She enjoyed traveling and visiting her three children and their families. Ethelyn would often visit and comfort those in need. She put others' needs ahead of her own. Ethelyn blessed many with her beautiful spirit, inspired messages, and words of wisdom. Phil and Ethelyn served an 18th-month Temple Mission to the Chicago Illinois Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from September 1998 to March 2000.
Survivors include her husband of 69 ½ years, Phil, daughter Marcia (Dennis) Marler of Kokomo; two sons, Paul Robert (Ann) Dwigans of Columbia, South Carolina, P. Todd (Wendy) Dwigans of Fort Knox, Kentucky; one sister, Kathleen Kennedy of Kokomo; nine grandchildren Tyler (Millena) Marler, Tara (Jalen) Ellis, Sara (Benjamin) Hansen, Crystal Dwigans, Jonathon Dwigans, Trevor Marler, Emma Dwigans, Abigail Dwigans, and Spencer Dwigans; and seven great-grandchildren.
Ethelyn was preceded in death by her parents, C. Donald and Dorothy Krieg; one brother, Arthur Krieg; and one sister, Phyllis.
Friends may visit with the family from 2 to 6 pm on Sunday, January 21, 2024, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home at 1315 West Lincoln Road, Kokomo. Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Monday, January 22, 2024, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 332 W. 300 S., Kokomo, IN, with Bishop Dennis Marler officiating. Burial will follow at Albright Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Humanitarian Aid Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Online condolences may be left at www.shirleyandstout.com.
John Eugene Lovelace
John Eugene Lovelace, 96, of Kokomo, went to be with the Lord at 12:57 pm Tuesday January 16, 2024, at Brickyard Healthcare in Kokomo. He was born at home in Howard County, IN, on November 28, 1927, the son of the late Edgar and Grace (Brewster) Lovelace. On April 24, 1948, he married Eileen Oden, and she preceded him in death on November 4, 2012.
John was a 1946 graduate of Clay Township High School. He was a hard-working man and worked on the farm for his entire life. He was a faithful member of Shiloh United Methodist Church for the past 90 years. He was the eldest surviving member of the church and held multiple positions of office during his life. He enjoyed spending time with his family, watching Western country TV shows, and he took great pride in having a well-kept lawn. John was a member of the Howard County Planning Commission, the Howard County Extension Board, a member of the euchre club for 50 years, and formerly drove a school bus for Northwestern School Corps.
He is survived by his sons, Bill (Janet) Lovelace, John (Donna) Lovelace, Kevin (Diane) Lovelace; grandchildren, Chad (Cheri) Lovelace, Brian (Kris) Lovelace, Adam (Ciara) Lovelace, Austin (Ashley) Lovelace, Allison (Aden) Stout, Megan (Brian) Flowers, Jacob (Nichole) Lovelace, Kyra Miller; 19 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Mary Lovelace, Nelda Lovelace; and special lifelong friends, John Tarkington, Mike OConnor.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, 6 siblings, and 2 infant sons at birth.
John’s family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Washington, Lee Ann, Stacy, the entire staff of Brickyard Healthcare, and Sheila of Southern Care Hospice for their compassionate care in his time of need.
Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4 to 7 pm Monday January 22, 2024, at Shiloh United Methodist Church, 5741 West 100 North, Kokomo, IN 46901. Funeral service will be held at 11 am Tuesday January 23, 2024, at the church, with Pastor Joe Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Shiloh Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in John’s memory to Christian Service International Ministries, or Shiloh United Methodist Church. Stout & Son Funeral Home – Russiaville Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.stoutandson.com.
Eugene L. “Gene” Whisler
Eugene L. “Gene” Whisler, 94 of Tipton passed away on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at his residence surrounded by his family. Gene was born in Elwood, Indiana on December 9, 1929, to Ray V. & Bonnie “Edith” (Jolliff) Whisler. On June 10, 1951, he married Donna Jones, and she preceded him in death on October 4, 1999. After Donna’s passing, he then married Alberta (Garst) Lockwood on October 21, 2000, and they enjoyed 23 years of marriage together.
Gene retired from Farm Bureau Insurance. He also worked at Hy-Line Chicks, Pioneer, Baumgartner Seed, and BRS Mechanical over the years. Gene cherished the many friends he made throughout his career. He served his country in the Indiana National Guard and was also a Boy Scout leader. Gene had a strong faith base and was a member of East Union Christian Church where he served as Treasurer for many years. In his free time, he loved fishing, tinkering in the shop, tending to his garden and even tried his hand at woodworking.
He is survived by his wife, Alberta; four children, Michael Whisler and wife Connie of Muncie, Ronald Whisler and wife Joann of Hayward, Wisconsin, Mark Whisler and wife Lesley of Muncie, Darlene Tragesser and husband Douglas of Atlanta; 22 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Georgina Whisler and Ramona Whisler both of Elwood.
Gene was preceded in death by his first wife, Donna; siblings, Lucile Avery, Bill Whisler, James Whisler, Clifford Whisler, Virgil Whisler, Helen Darlene Whisler, and Charles Whisler; along with a grandson, Benjamin Jacob Whisler.
Funeral services for Gene will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23, at East Union Christian Church with Rev. Rex Dunning presiding. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Tipton. Visitation will also be on Tuesday at the church from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service.
Young-Nichols Funeral Home is honored to assist the Whisler family in their time of need. Condolences for Gene’s family may be left on his obituary page at www.young-nichols.com.
Memorial donations in honor of Gene may be made to Saint Labre Indian Children School, 112 St. Labre Campus Drive, Ashland, Montana 59003 or online at www.stlabre.org or East Union Christian Church, 1711 E 296th Street, Atlanta, Indiana, 46031 or online at www.eastunioncc.org/donate.
Donna R. Thieke
Donna R. Thieke, age 85, of Kokomo, Indiana passed away on Wednesday, January 17, 2024.
A visitation for Donna will be held Saturday, January 27, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM at Ellers Mortuary Webster Chapel, 3400 South Webster Street, Kokomo, IN 46902, followed by a funeral service at 3:30 PM.