Obituaries, July 16, 2025
Keith Charles Swavey, Janet Marlene Mitchell, Patricia Louise Piker, Thomas Lee Hooker
Keith Charles Swavey
Keith Charles Swavey, age 87, of Kokomo, Indiana, went to meet his Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Keith was born January 15, 1938, in Meadville, Pennsylvania, to Norman P. Swavey and Lucille (Linde) Swavey.
He attended Randolph East Mead High School in Guys Mills, PA. Keith went on to join the United States Air Force and became Air Force Security Patrol. During his tenure in the Air Force, he served one year in England at High Wicombe AFB and one year in Spain. While serving in the U.S., he was stationed at various other places, such as the Air Force Academy in Denver, Colorado, in Florida, and at Grissom AFB in Peru, Indiana. Keith retired from Delco Electronics/General Motors in 1997.
Keith's main loves were his family and hobbies such as woodworking, having built several pieces of furniture for the home and other family members, fishing locally in local reservoirs and lakes and throughout Indiana, Minnesota, and Tennessee. He also loved to travel and spent time in Florida, Alabama, Texas, Arizona, and Tennessee. Many of those trips included his children and/or grandchildren. For several years, he and friends would take trips to Minnesota for one week of fishing. In addition, he was a willing and able mechanic, helping his children and grandchildren to keep their vehicles running.
On June 26, 1971, Keith married the love of his life, Patricia (Hayes) Swavey, and her children Alisa (Hayes) Brenotas, Robin Rene Hayes, Todd Hayes, and Paula (Hayes) Bolin, all of Kokomo. This began a journey of 54 years of marriage, adventure, and experiences.
Keith had two children Keith C. Swavey, Jr. of Wabash, IN, and Candy (Swavey) Boonstra, who preceded him in death, as well as his parents Norman and Lucille. Keith is survived by his wife, Patricia, brother Gary Swavey of Meadville, PA, 14 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
A funeral service for Keith will be Thursday, July 17, at 2:00 PM, at Ellers Mortuary, 725 S. Main Street, Kokomo. Friends may visit from 12:00 PM until the time of the funeral. Military honors will occur at Albright Cemetery, 3910 Albright Rd., Kokomo, IN 46902, after the funeral service, prior to burial.
Janet Marlene Mitchell
Janet Marlene Mitchell, 87, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away peacefully at her home on Frances Lane on July 13, 2025. Born February 11, 1938, in Noblesville, Indiana, Janet's deep devotion to her family and steadfast loyalty touched all who knew her. She was known for her quick wit and sense of humor.
Janet was married for 62 cherished years, a loving wife and the proud mother of five children. She is survived by her daughters Deborah Ammerman (James), Pamela Ratcliff, and Libby DeMaio (Greg), her son Kenneth Mitchell (Kim), and grandchildren Carrie Dunn, Darcie Adams, James Ammerman, Thomas Mitchell (deceased), Marlea Mitchell, Korey Olds (Molly), Kyle Olds, Lauren Olds, Kaila Neilson (Glenn), and Shelby Ianello (Robert). She was blessed with nine great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Kenny, her beloved son Kevin, and great-grandson Jason.
She was an avid reader, preferring a great mystery, and enjoyed sewing, making crafts for her children and grandchildren and crocheting baby blankets and throws.
A memorial service will be held for her at Sunset Memory Gardens on July 18. friends and family may call from 12-1 p.m. with the service immediately following.
Patricia Louise Piker
Patricia Louise Piker, age 80, of Kokomo, Indiana, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, July 11, 2025. She was born April 5, 1945, to the late Cedric Irwin and Alma Dowling.
Patricia married Charles Piker Sr. on April 3, 1965. She devoted her life to Jesus and raised her family to walk beside Him. Their foundation began at Gospel Light Mission and has continued on through each generation. Every morning you could find her sitting with her coffee and studying the Bible.
She was the matriarch of a large family, even to children that weren't biologically hers. Nothing made her happier than her children and grandchildren. She gave each one of them the same amount of love and attention and never got them confused on who was who. She was generous, compassionate, and would give you the shirt off her back. Patricia had a heart of gold and all who knew her loved her dearly.
She enjoyed playing bingo, going to the casino, and doing crosswords. She was a wonderful baker and avid crocheter. Many of her family members were blessed with a blanket by her. Though she didn't like to admit it, she loved working alongside her husband at their bait shop, Piker's Bait and Tackle. She liked to be outdoors whether it was fishing or deer hunting.
Patricia is survived by her children Yvette Cessor, Patti (Jimmy) Nutter, Tamara (Tracy) Hatfield, Teresa Piker, Paula Mashburn, Charles Matthew (Kelly) Piker, Charles Piker Jr, and Edna (Billy) Smith ...
Grandchildren Ryan Piker, Kasey (Jimmy) Gick, Stephen (Sarah) Byrd, James (Tiffanie) Nutter, Alisha King (Ryan Willard), Brandon (Bethany) Nutter, Blake (Abby) Greenway, Kaleb Nutter, Steven (Heather) Nunnally, Charles (Erika) Nunnally, Tammy Sue (Jalen), Tanner Hatfield, Joshua (Kristi) Gamblin, Christine (Andy) Reid, Dustin (Chelsee) Gamblin, Kristin Summitt, Dylan (Leah) Piker, Sueanna, David (Megan) Piker, Wayne (Stacie) Piker, Trey (Victoria) Piker, Shayne (Taylor) Piker, Rick (Sara) Smith, and Melissa (Mily) Morales ...
Great-grandchildren William, Nathan, Natalie, Trevor, Ezra, Emily (Nemiah), Kylie, Hannah, Chloe, Richard, Elijah, Sara, Zavier, Jakob, Noah, Levi, Oliver, Brayden (Chelsey), Hayley (Lucas), J.J (Paige), Hunter, Connor, Dannika, Bentley, Jayden, Whitney, Weslynn, Alan, Asher, Simon, Layla, Eli, Cali, Ava, Kamryn, Lily, Brooks, Zander, Brody, Oaklin, Aiden, Oliver, Cinder, Alister, Sophee, Maddie, Branson, Lilly, Landon, Brooke, Robert, Caleb, Rylan, Noah, Connor, Treyton, Paisley, Jackson, Greyson, Roslyn, Corey, Lacy, Ali, Skylar, and Tristan ...
Great-great grandchildren Camden, Jace, and Shawn, and sisters Barbara (Phil) Jones, Marsha (Gary) Brooks, and Janet Reed.
In addition to her parents, Patricia is preceded in death by her husband Charles Piker Sr., brother David, and grandson David Byrd.
A visitation for Patricia will be held Monday, July 21, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Gospel Light Mission, 1407 Belmont Ave., Kokomo, IN 46902, followed by a funeral service at 12:00 PM officiated by Pastor Terry Russell
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Patricia's memory may be made to Gospel Light Mission.
Thomas Lee Hooker
Thomas Lee Hooker, beloved husband, father, GP (grandpa), teacher, and friend, passed away on July 10, 2025, after a brief battle with cancer. Born on July 8, 1945, to Paul and Norma Hooker, Tom grew up in Kokomo, Indiana, and graduated from Kokomo High School in 1963. He went on to earn his degree from Earlham College in 1968, where he was a proud member of the men’s volleyball team. That 1967 team was later inducted into the Earlham Hall of Fame in recognition of their camaraderie and athletic excellence. On July 5, 1969, Tom married Vicki Manning. Together, they raised two children, Brian and Erin.
Tom began his career as a schoolteacher, first at Friendsville Academy in Tennessee and then at Indian Heights Elementary School in Kokomo. During that time, he earned his master’s degree in education from Indiana University. He later managed Delco Park and retired from Delphi after more than 30 years. Even in retirement, Tom’s passion for education endured. He served as a substitute teacher at schools throughout Howard County, often teaching the children and grandchildren of former students and friends. He also enjoyed covering local prep sports for the Kokomo Tribune.
A lifelong sports enthusiast, Tom was a Chicago Cubs fan and an avid golfer at Green Acres Golf Course, where he lived for nearly 40 years. Yet, his favorite teams were always the ones he coached during his children’s youth and the ones his grandchildren played on in later years.
Tom was preceded in death by: his parents, Paul and Norma Hooker; father and mother-in-law, George and Edith Manning; his brothers, Michael and James Hooker; brothers-in-law J.P. Manning, Kenneth Manning, Lloyd Manning, Troy Hobbs, Edward Fanjoy, Cliff Vowell, and Fred Hensley; and sisters-in-law Lila Hobbs, Judith Young, Erma Coffey, Peggy Manning, and Hattie Manning.
He is survived by: his wife of 56 years, Vicki; his son Brian Hooker and wife Angela; his daughter Erin Courtney and husband Charles; and his cherished grandchildren Regan Hooker, Jacob Hooker, Graham Courtney, Louis Courtney, and Elliott Courtney. He is also survived by: his sister Barbara Kingseed and husband Rex; sisters-in-law Glenna Hensley, Marla Vowell, Lulan Fanjoy, and Beverly Grimm; brothers-in-law Johnny Coffey and Tim Grimm; as well as 15 nieces and 14 nephews.
We will love and miss him greatly. Our hearts grieve, but we are not without hope, taking comfort in knowing he is in the arms of Jesus.
The family will receive friends on August 2, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Sunset Memory Garden, with a memorial service to follow immediately.
Vicki extends her heartfelt thanks to the compassionate staff at Wellbrooke of Kokomo, especially the dedicated caregivers of Room 105 and Guardian Angel Hospice.
A scholarship for a student pursuing a career in education has been established in Tom’s honor. Contributions can be made to the Thomas L. Hooker Scholarship Fund at Community First Bank of Indiana.