Obituaries, July 13, 2025
Love Elizabeth “Tootsie” Johnson, Dr. Gerald “Jerry” Edward Kerr, Ronald James Velasco
Love Elizabeth “Tootsie” Johnson
Love Elizabeth “Tootsie” Johnson, 95, Kokomo, went to be with her Lord Friday morning, July 11, 2025.
Love Elizabeth (Lay) Johnson was born November 15, 1929, in Sharps Chapel, Tennessee, to Floyd and Sarah (Shoffner) Lay. She was the third of seven children. Preceding her in death were: parents Floyd and Sarah Lay; siblings Edith (Cotton) Beason, Raymer (Lena Mae) Lay, Delano (Emma) Lay, Harold Lay, Wanda (Bruce) Williams, and HC Lay; sister-in-law Alma Jean (Richard) Kivett; brother-in-law Clint (Bessie) Johnson; and son-in-law Kenneth Ray Mumaw.
She married the love of her life Paul Johnson, who survives, on May 6, 1946, in Rossville, GA. In 1947, Paul and Elizabeth moved to Kokomo, Indiana, where they enjoyed their 79 years of marriage and built a family.
Elizabeth was the loving mother of four daughters: Patricia Mumaw, Greentown, IN; Cathy (David) Wheeler, Sevierville, TN; Connie (Mike) Percifield, Converse, IN; and Pamela (Alan) Anderson, Kokomo, IN.
She dearly loved her grandchildren Angel (Dennis) Williams, Missy (Greg) Hollis, Julianna (Kevin) Trent, Jennifer (Troy) Cummings, Brandi (Jared) Wilgus, Holly Elizabeth (Tim) Streit, Kelly (Brandon) Frazer, Jeremy England, and Justin England, and her great-grandchildren Dillon Hollis, Maya Hollis, Kelanna Love Trent, Railyn Trent, Zane Trent, Abigail Wilgus, Allison Wilgus, Trevor Wilgus, Kaiden Cummings, Cole Cummings, Alyssa Streit, Logan Streit, Gavin Frazer, Brooklynn England, and Ethan England. They all represent Great-Granny Love’s legacy of love!
Also surviving are her special sister-in-law Carlean Lay, who gave loving care to Tootsie’s mother, and sister-in-law Elizabeth “Libby” Lay. Many very special nieces and nephews loved “Aunt Tootsie” and were so dearly loved by her!
Even though known her whole life as “Tootsie” by family members and friends, her first name, Love, was appropriate to her life. She truly loved people! She cherished each family member and verbalized her love at every opportunity. She loved the Lord Jesus and was baptized into Christ for the remission of her sins on Easter Sunday, April 5, 1953, in the Macedonia Christian Church where she was a member for 72 years. She faithfully served the Lord as she taught the four-year-old children’s Sunday school class and VBS for many years, sang in the choir, worked in the women’s ministry and was known for inviting a great number of people to church. She graciously welcomed people into her home, her church, and her life.
Love Elizabeth exhibited love to everyone she met throughout her 95 years. She loved her neighbors, doctors, nurses, hospice caregivers, servers in restaurants, and so many friends! She loved her children’s friends and always welcomed them into her home. She made friends wherever she went, even standing in line at The Dollar Tree!
She was a homemaker who loved baking, cooking delicious meals, sharing her home, music, gardening, and flowers. She appreciated those who brought her flowers to enjoy while she was confined to her home. She was deeply grateful for the visits from family and friends!
Her final request would be that all would come to know Jesus as Savior and Lord of their life and prepare to meet Jesus and her in Heaven where she will be waiting with her smile and open arms.
In lieu of flowers please send gifts to Ark Ministries (Christian Camp), Macedonia Christian Church, or Johnson University’s David and Cathy Wheeler Scholarship Fund. Elizabeth was an honorary alumnus of Johnson University.
A funeral service celebrating Love’s life will be held at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at Macedonia Christian Church, 1532 S 500 E, Kokomo. Entombment will take place on Wednesday at 11 a.m. in Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday at the church. Hasler & Stout Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.
Dr. Gerald “Jerry” Edward Kerr
Dr. Gerald “Jerry” Edward Kerr, 84 years old, of Palm Harbor, FL, passed away June 26, 2025, in Westchester Gardens Health and Rehab in Clearwater, Florida. He was born in Toledo, OH, on March 29, 1941, the son of the late Rev. Charles and Mildred (Bennett) Kerr.
Jerry was a 1959 graduate of Atherton High School. He attended several universities and achieved several degrees. He majored in Music Theology at St. Paul Bible College, earned a Master’s in Music from Indiana University, and he attended Indiana School of Dentistry where he was the Chief Resident of his Oral Surgery class. This led to him establishing the Gerald E. Kerr Oral and Maxillofacial surgery practice in 1978 in Kokomo, IN. He served for 38 years until his retirement. Jerry will be remembered for singing to his patients. Jerry served as a youth pastor at First Covenant Church for middle school and high school students. He was a middle school band teacher in Bloomington, IN. Music and dentistry were his life and his passion.
Jerry was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Kokomo where he sang in the choir. He also sang and acted in the Kokomo Civic Theatre and was the former President of the Kokomo Symphony Orchestra. He was a member of the American Dental Association and Indiana Dental Association. His favorite vacations were spent in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and fishing trips to Canada.
He is survived by his children Kevin Kerr, late infant Kelly Lynn Kerr, Carrie (Clint) Sheets, Laura Kerr, Jerry Kassel, and Tina (Kassel) Riley, grandchildren Bennett Kerr, Caleb Sheets, Ethan Sheets, Nolan Sheets, Carlin Kerr, Kayleigh Jones, Lillian Jones, Shelby (Alex) Bass Bensley, and Jaaron Riley, first wife Beth Kerr, and second wife Mary Kerr.
He was preceded in death by his parents Rev. Charles Kerr and Mildred (Bennett) Kerr, and sister Beverly Kerr Webb.
Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 19, 2025, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Rd., Kokomo, IN 46902. A memorial service celebrating Jerry’s life will begin at noon on Saturday at the funeral home, with Greg Reed officiating. Anyone who wishes to spend more time with the family is invited to come to the Half Moon restaurant immediately following the service. The family will be there until 4 p.m. Contributions may be made in Jerry’s memory to the Indiana University Dental School. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Ronald James Velasco
Ronald James Velasco, known affectionately as Ron to his friends and family, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2025, in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, at the age of 62. Born on October 3, 1962, in Baltimore, Maryland, Ron was a man of great spirit and love, whose presence brought comfort and joy to those around him.
Ronnie was preceded in death by his father Gilbert Velasco, his companion Brenda Williams, and his sister Mary Kolstoni. He is survived by his devoted mother Alice Velasco, and his siblings Diane Hughes, Cindy (Phil) Heil, Gilbert Velasco, and Tina (Duane) Drake. Ronnie's legacy continues through his cherished nieces and nephews Melissa Heil, Jason Heil, Ryan Kolstoni, Christopher Kolstoni, Heather Wise, Gilbert Velasco, Savannah Webb, Kiley Drake, Kori Goins, Dakota Drake, and Cheyenne Drake, and his goddaughter Shania Drake. His loving pet companion Toby will miss his gentle touch and warm presence.
Ronnie's professional life was marked by his dedication to construction and carpentry, where he applied his analytical mind and skilled hands to build and create structures that stood as a testament to his craftsmanship. His colleagues in the industry respected him for his work ethic and his ability to bring projects to life with precision and care.
A devout Christian, Ronnie lived his faith through his actions, showing kindness and compassion to all. He found solace in the teachings of the Bible and the fellowship of his church community, where he was a source of support and friendship.
Ronnie's love for the outdoors was evident to anyone who knew him. He was happiest when he was fishing, a pastime that allowed him to revel in the tranquility of nature. Camping trips, days spent at the beach, and any opportunity to be outside were the moments he treasured most. These experiences were only made better when shared with his family, whom he adored above all else.
Described by those who knew him as loving and spirited, Ronnie approached life with a sense of wonder and curiosity. His analytical mind often led him to deep conversations and a thoughtful understanding of the world around him. Ronnie's spirit and love for life left an indelible mark on the hearts of those he encountered.
Ronnie Velasco's journey on earth may have come to an end, but his memory will live on in the hearts and minds of his loved ones. His laughter, his wisdom, and his unwavering love will be deeply missed, but the stories of his life will continue to inspire and comfort those he has left behind. Ronnie's life was a beautiful tapestry woven with love, friendship, and the joy of the simple pleasures of life. He will be remembered not just for the life he lived, but for the love he gave freely and the happiness he brought to so many.
City of Firsts Cremation and Funeral Services was entrusted with the arrangements. www.cityoffirstscremations.com