Obituaries, July 27, 2023
Betty Ann Bennett
Betty Ann Bennett, 84, Kokomo, passed away at 7:05 am on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at her home. She was born in Sumter, SC. on May 24, 1939, to the late Thomas and Beulah (Singleton) Daniels. On October 1, 1961, in Oswego, SC., she married John Martin Bennett Sr., and he preceded her in death on September 17, 2000.
Betty graduated from school in Bushy Park, England. She worked for Ayr-Way, now known as Target, and retired after 34 years of service. She attended Main Street Christian Church in Russiaville, where she was a member of the Ladies Aid and SAM’s Club. She enjoyed vacationing in Myrtle Beach, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Betty is survived by her children, Sharon Bennett, Albert (Amy) Bennett, and Teresa (Chuck) Mooney; grandchildren, Joshua (Erica) Price, Caleb (Jenn) Price, Apphia (Spencer) DeWalt, Achaia (Clayton) Knippa, Abigail American (Kole) Butler, Abiah (Kyle) Kennedy, Danielle (Matt) Cook, Isaiah (Katie) Bennett, Gabriel (Samantha) Bennett, Zacheus Reser, Faith (Nathan) Miller, Hannah Singleton Mooney, and Brock Schuyler; 22 great-grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild on the way; siblings, Billy Gene (Charlene) Daniels, Thomas (Lilian) Daniels, and Lucy (Steve) Yasser.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband; son, John Martin Bennett Jr.; and brother, Lonnie Daniels.
A funeral service will be held at 10 am Saturday, July 29, 2023, at Stout & Son Funeral Home, 200 E. Main St., Russiaville, with Pastor Tom Cox officiating. Burial will follow in Albright Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 6 pm to 8 pm Friday, July 28, 2023, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Main Street Christian Church, or the ALS Foundation in Betty’s memory. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.stoutandson.com.
Hildegard “Hilda” Gertrud Ashcraft (Knoll)
Hildegard “Hilda” Gertrud Ashcraft (Knoll), age 89, of Kokomo and formally Greentown, became absent from her body and present with the Lord around 8:00 pm on Monday, July 24, 2023. She was born on December 20, 1933, to Richard and Gertrud Knoll in Striegau, Germany (now Strzegom, Poland).
Her husband of 68 years, Kenneth (Kenny) Ray Ashcraft, Sr., believes that while a birth date and death date define a life span, the dash in the middle defines a life. Hilda had been through war, oppressive poverty, and was a refugee, all during her childhood. She worked with American troops in Germany as a young adult, met the love of her life, Kenny, marrying him in 1954, and moved to the US with a language barrier, not knowing any of its people. While this is already more life lived than many, this was only the beginning of a life well lived.
To acclimate to a new country and culture while also being a young wife and mother, she joined a local German American Club and attended churches, Courtland Avenue Friends and then Sycamore Friends. She raised four children, Kerry, Ray, Laura, and Scott as well as housed numerous exchange students. She and her husband built a home in the 70’s that has been a memory-maker for multiple generations. She worked at Montgomery Ward, Milbank, and retired in 1996 as an Inspector at Chrysler, being a proud member of UAW Local 685.
As Kenny and Hilda aged, they traveled…Russia, China, Europe, New Zealand, and cruises to exotic locations with friends and family to name a few destinations. Being snowbirds, they spent many winters in Port St. Lucie, Florida. While she experienced the world, Hilda would always make sure her friends and family were remembered and loved. She cherished telling stories about her family.
She is survived by her husband, Kenneth (Kenny) Ray Ashcraft, Sr., Kokomo; her sister, Erica (Alfonz) Schratzenstaller, Buchet, Germany; as well as her children, Kerry Ashcraft, Swartz Creek, Michigan; Kenneth Ray (Pam) Ashcraft, Jr., Port St. Lucie, Florida; Laura (Doug) Beachy, Greentown; and Scott (Bethany) Ashcraft, Crestwood, Kentucky. She has two nephews, Andreas Schratzenstaller, Munich, Germany; and Markus Schratzenstaller, Straubing, Germany. Surviving grandchildren are Kisha Pulverenti, Fort Wayne; Jeremy (Rachael) Ashcraft, Gig Harbor, Washington; Lana (Tommy) Rubow, Greentown; Ada (Jeremy) Hullinger, Greentown; Kara Riley, Greentown; Tamara (Jessie Branch) Beachy, Greentown; Sean Ashcraft, Muncie; Ian Beachy, Greentown; Lee Beachy, Greentown; Jared (Morgan) Ashcraft, Virginia Beach, Virginia; and Caylem (Sydney) Ashcraft, Savannah, Georgia. Hilda has 14 great-grandchildren.
Proceeding her in death are her parents, Richard and Gertrud Knoll, as well as kin, Martha Bielas.
While the things of this world can be enjoyed, they are temporary. Hilda had hope in Christ. She was saved by the grace of God through faith in what Christ completed on the cross. His death, burial, and resurrection conquered sin and the grave. At the time of her salvation, she was complete, accepted by the Beloved, and reconciled to God, all through Christ. We can find comfort knowing that she was and is at peace with God.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations are made in Hilda’s honor to VFW Post 1152 Military Rites Team, 920 N. Washington St., Kokomo, IN. 46901.
Friends are invited to celebrate the life of Hilda and visit with the family from 10am to 12pm on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Rd, Kokomo. A funeral service will be held at noon on Saturday at the funeral home. The burial will follow in Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery. Messages of condolence and memories may be left online at www.stoutandson.com.
Corella Carolyn Harney
Corella Carolyn Harney, 80, of Russiaville, passed away at 9:21 am on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at her home. She was born in Albany, Kentucky, on January 14, 1943, the daughter of Millard and Nora (West) Poore. She married Gerald Lee Harney Sr. on August 26, 1961, in Anderson, and he survives.
Carolyn was a home maker but also worked at Sears & Roebuck, she helped clean First Federal Bank, and did seasonal work at The Corn Grain. Carolyn attended church with her husband and children continuously while raising the children. She contracted Covid and never fully recovered, she was dependent on a walker, and later changed to a wheelchair. She would watch the Southern Gospel Channels and listen to Old Gospel Hymns. Carolyn enjoyed collecting porcelain dolls over the years and loved to whistle old gospel hymns. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. A devoted wife who loved being by her husband's side most of the time.
She is survived by her husband, Gerald Harney; children, Gerald (Peggy) Harney Jr, Laodicea (Larrie) Fleenor, Tracy (Donnie) Graves, Tammy (Rodney) Fulton, and Mary Harney; grandchildren, Gary (Addie) Harney, Cari (John) Houston, Chad Perry, JC (Abby) Fleenor, Amya Perry, Wyatt Fulton, Ethan Fulton, Madison Fulton, and Sarah Pitcher; brother, Ridley Poore; stepsister, Jackie Heater; and 15 great grandchildren.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Millard & Nora Poore; siblings, Chastine Sloan, Peggy Staton, Leonard Poore, and Juanita Collins; and grandchildren, Amanda Perry and Stephenie Harney.
A funeral service will be held at 3:00pm on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Rd., Kokomo, with Pastor Bobby Carter officiating. Burial will follow in Nevada Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 1:00pm until the time of service on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at the funeral home. Donations may be made to Shirley & Stout Funeral Home to help the family with funeral expenses. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Billie Joyce Lawless
Billie Joyce Lawless, 92, Kokomo, passed away at 8:57 am Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at her home. She was born March 23, 1931, in Laurel, Mississippi, the daughter of the late Richard “R N” & Loyce (Beeland) Parrish. In the spring of 1950, in Laurel, she married Charles Avery Lawless who preceded her in death on March 5, 2022.
Billie was a graduate of Laurel High School in Mississippi. She loved to cook, tend her flowers and watch them grow. Billie enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Raising children and grandchildren is what Billie did best.
Billie is survived by her children, Patty Stout, Jim (Pam) Lawless and Mike Lawless; grandchildren, Danny (Samantha) Stout, Kelly (John) Bland, Mandy (Robbie) Bowman, Derek Lawless, Lori (Ryan) Hensler, Randy (Shannon) Wilson and Joey Lawless; great grandchildren, Cadence Bowman, Reece Bowman, Savannah Hensler, Ali Wilson, Charlotte Wilson, Harper Wilson and Emma Wilson.
Billie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charles; daughter, Carol Wilson; and sister, Kathryn Culpepper.
A graveside service will be held at 10:00 am Monday, July 31, 2023, at Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.