Obituaries, July 24, 2023
Virginia "Jenny" Ruth Hall
Virginia "Jenny" Ruth Hall, age 77, of Galveston, Indiana went home to be with the Lord on Monday, July 17, 2023. She was born November 19, 1945 in Knoxville, TN to the late John and Viola Tucker.
She married Johnnie Hall on May 5, 1973, and together they raised 4 children. Jenny loved spending time outdoors with her family, she spent a lot of her free time fishing and traveling. She also found joy in saving money, making sure to keep every coupon she could. Jenny would seek rummage sales and flea markets for any good deals.
She is a former member of Victory Baptist church. Jenny worked as a CNA for many years, she retired from North Woods Village. She loved her job and did an amazing job at caring for her residents.
Jenny is survived by her husband of 50 years Johnnie Hall; her children Cheryl (Mark) Pressey, Patsy Gordon, and Albert (Joyce) Gordon; 2 siblings;17 grandkids; 33 great-grandkids; 2 great-great grandkids; she also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Jenny is preceded in death by her brother Charles Roberson; son Joe Gordon; great grandson Conner Bogue.
A visitation for Jenny will be held Monday, July 24, 2023, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Ellers Mortuary, 725 S. Main Street, Kokomo, Indiana 46901, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ellersmortuarymainstreet.com for the Hall family.
Donald R. Croddy
Donald R. Croddy, 89, of Kokomo, passed away at 3:32 p.m. on Thursday, July 20, 2023, at Wellbrooke of Kokomo. He was born on April 9, 1934, the son of Earl and Jeanette (Tate) Croddy. Donald married Bonnie Rody on November 11, 1960.
Donald graduated from Kokomo High school in 1952. He served in the National Guard for 23 years and earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. Donald was an apprentice at IBEW and was a journeyman electrician for over 60 years. For 27 of those years, he worked at Chrysler where he retired from in 1999. Donald was a man of many hobbies and made numerous things for their home. He enjoyed photography, woodworking, making stained glass, painting in oils, repairing clocks, travelling, and clowning. He and Bonnie enjoyed 21 winters in Tucson, Arizona, and two trips to Hawaii. They also attended Fellowship of Christian Magicians conferences in Marion for several years and were members of Calvary Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife; granddaughters, Tina Sparks, Tyffani Owen, Holly Bell, and Joanna Reed; nieces and nephews, Candace Shoemaker, Ronald Smith, Mark Rody, Marty Rody, Karen Patterson, Sharon Avery, and Steve Rody; and thirteen great-grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his parents; daughter, Angela Yeoman; and sister, Ramona Smith.
A funeral service will be held at Noon Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 West Lincoln Road with Pastor Steve Sherwood officiating. Burial will follow in Albright Cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Army National Guard and the Kokomo VFW Military Rites Team. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10:00 a.m. until Noon Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kokomo Rescue Mission. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
John Michael Dempsey
John Michael Dempsey, 59, of Kokomo, passed away at 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 20,2023. He was also known as Demps to his friends and Mr. Kind and Wonderfully Benevolent to his family. Born October 20, 1963, he was the son of Michael and Sharon (Schwalm) Dempsey.
John graduated from Kokomo High School in 1982 and attended DePauw University. He was a sportswriter for many years at the Kokomo Tribune, Logansport Pharos-Tribune, the Huntington Press, and worked at Chrysler. He was active in the Boy Scouts where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout and worked on camp staff for four years. John also was a Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow. While a youth in the Order of the Arrow, he served as Lodge Chief for a year and was also Lodge Secretary for two years. He was a founding board member of the Howard County Sports Hall of Fame. He enjoyed reading, traveling, and exploring National Parks. John loved sports and was a lifelong Cubs and Bears Fan.
John is survived by his sisters, Ellen (Steve) Gray, and Stephanie (Bill) Graves; nieces, Samantha Gray, Hannah Gray, and Karen (Matthew) Bicskei; nephews, Gregory Gray, Edwin Graves, and Josh Graves; great niece, Breda Bicskei; and beloved dogs, Isle and Gabe.
Preceding him in death were his parents, and dogs, Ralph, Gretchen, Augustus, and Wolfgang.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00a.m on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Rd. Burial will follow in Walton Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Sagamore Council, Boy Scouts of America. https://cfwc.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=2659. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Dee Allen Colbert
Dee Allen Colbert, 50, of Kokomo, Indiana passed away July 20, 2023. He was born on July 28, 1972, in Kokomo, IN the son of William David Sr. and Pamela Sue (Wood) Colbert. He married Lisa Fugate on July 7, 2012, who survives. Dee attended Northwestern High School and later went on to receive his GED. He began an Electrical Apprenticeship in January of 2011 and received an Associates of Applied Science's of Journeymen Electrical Engineering. He was a member of Local IBEW #873. Dee had a gift for music, writing lyrics and music for many original songs. He alongside friends created several bands and played shows at lots of local pubs and private parties. He loved cookouts with family and friends, playing horseshoes, chess, pool and golf. Next to music his favorite interest was teaching the kids. Although he didn't have any children of his own, he loved listening to their hopes and dreams. Dee loved coming up with new ideas and inventing things to make the world a better place. He also had many patents for his inventions.
Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife, Lisa; step-son, Christopher (Santagesha) Halton; mother, Pamela; brothers, William Jr., Norman Ray; several nieces; and many other relatives and friends.
Dee was preceded in death by his father; grandmother, Lucille Colbert.
Visitation will be Tuesday, July 25, 2023, from 5:00 - 7:00 at Ellers Mortuary and Cremation Center, 3400 S. Webster St., Kokomo, Indiana. Funeral services will take place at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at Ellers Mortuary and Cremation Center. Burial will follow at Albright Cemetery Kokomo, Indiana. Share a memory with the family at www.ellersmortuary.com.
Harold Benson
Harold Benson, 91, of Kokomo, passed away at 10:45 p.m. on Tuesday, July 18,2023, at Ascension St. Vincent-Kokomo. He was born March 18, 1932, to Leo and Della Mae (Brock) Benson. On October 23, 1958, he married Jean “Jeannie” Buie, and she survives.
Harold graduated from Muncie Central High School in 1958. He proudly served in the United States Air Force. He then proceeded to go to Ball State University to earn his bachelor’s in mathematics and graduated in 1968. After school he went to work at Delco Electronics where he completed a general manager management course and later retired from there after 29 years. Harold was a member of the International Society of Hybrid Micro Electronics and tennis team for General Motors.
Harold is survived by his wife, Jean “Jeannie” Benson; sister-in-law, Frances Mullins; brother-in-law, Jack (Beth) Buie; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and great great nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death was his parents, brothers, Donald (Linda) Benson, Richard (Norma) Benson, and David (Una) Benson; and sister, Mary Benson.
A committal service will take place at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, August 7, 2023, at Veterans Memorial Park, 548 S. Goyer Rd., Kokomo. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Rd. Kokomo. Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, https://help.dav.org. Stout & Son has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.stoutandson.com.
Alma Jean McPeek
Alma Jean McPeek, 76, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. She was born November 22, 1946, in Pikeville, KY to the late Peter and Goldie Adkins.
She married Dolph "Doc" McPeek and together they had 4 children.
Alma enjoyed playing Bingo, it was her favorite hobby other than spending time with her family. She attempted to garden, though her husband had more of the green thumb. Alma spent time outdoors looking at the flowers in her yard, and the birds that flew by. She also enjoyed watching her soap operas whenever they would come on.
Alma is survived by her children Jevetta Dahn, Tony (Susan) McPeek, Angie McPeek; grandchildren Kayla "Purty Baby" (Michael) Bradley, Michael "Lil Feller" Roark, Angel Cooper, Amanda McPeek, Brayden Gunnell, Shyanna Hilligoss, Carter McPeek, John McPeek, Cayden Cooper, Leland, Bentley, John Hawkins; sisters Zella McPeek, Edith, Delilah, Janet; nieces Michelle Hawkins, Julie Comp, Sherry, Donna; and the mother of some of her grandchildren Shelly Turner.
In addition to her parents Alma is preceded in death by her husband Dolph "Doc" McPeek in 2019; son Daniel McPeek; grandson Josh McPeek; sisters Hattie Haywood and Jent; brother-in-laws Robert McPeek, James McPeek, Don McPeek, and Hillard McPeek; sister-in-law Fayetta Sloan; and mother-in-law Ova Justice.
A memorial service will take place at later date; memorial contributions may be made directly to the family to assist with any expenses.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ellersmortuarywebster.com for the McPeek family.
Natalie "Niki" Nicole Littleton
Natalie "Niki" Nicole Littleton, 53, passed away Wednesday, July 19, 2023. She was born May 2, 1970, at the Howard Community Hospital in Kokomo, IN to James "Jim" Hupp and Anita Burwell.
Niki graduated from Western High School in 1988. She was a cheerleader and enjoyed track. She loved all animals, especially dogs, just like her dad.
Niki volunteered alongside Rita, for the Pantry at the Howard County women's shelter.
Niki enjoyed card games, puzzles and collecting Boyds bears, but her true passion was grooming and caring for dogs.
In addition to her parents, Niki is survived by her daughter Jamie Littleton; uncle Tim Hupp; and her fiance Darron Tomjack.
Niki is preceded in death by her grandparents Elmer and Kathleen Hupp and Grace Burwell; her three brothers Eric Hupp, Patrick Hupp and Jeremy Daniels.
A private graveside service will take place at a later date. She will be laid to rest at Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery alongside her brothers Eric and Patrick.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.SunsetmemoryGarden.com for the family.
Jon Christian Bess
Jon Christian Bess, 49, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away July 19, 2023. He was born on December 24, 1973, in Kokomo, Indiana, the son of Gerald and Loretta Bess. He was a graduate of Western High School and worked at Soupley's Liquor Store for many years. He enjoyed reading his Bible, watching the Gospel Network, IU basketball, and the Colts.
He is survived by his step-brothers, Brian (Penny) Switzer of Kokomo, Keven (Francheska) Switzer of Idaho; step-father, Ollie Switzer; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Roger; half-brothers, Terry Hall and Tracey Hall.
Funeral Services will remain private.