Obituaries, July 9, 2025
Rosaline R. Johnson Blinn, Gregory "Greg" Dean Ellis, Ellen Berdean (Rody) Gerhart, Jace Michael Bryant, Doris June Robbins
Rosaline R. Johnson Blinn
Rosaline R. Johnson Blinn of Russiaville, IN, passed peacefully in her home on July 7, 2025. Born October 15, 1934, in Lincoln, Kansas, she grew up in a loving home filled with faith and a love for music and hard work.
Rosaline was never afraid to tell you about Jesus and what He meant to her. Over the 90+ years of her life, she witnessed more cultural and technological changes than one could fathom, from riding a horse to school to “speak to text” on her crazy phone that never seemed to work right for her. She was blessed to grow up in an era where a very little bit was always enough, and fun was had when there was lots of family to share it with.
She was a prayer warrior. She saw the hardest of times in her life, raising a son who became deaf as a toddler and losing her first true love in their 50s. She has always kept her faith and her determination to push through whatever life put in front of her. This is how she lived, and everyone who knew her saw it lived out.
Later in her 60s she met her second husband and newfound love of her life, and they traveled anywhere and everywhere. If you wanted to know where they had been, just look for the magnets on the refrigerator. Rosie lived a true blessed life, and she shared it with everyone she loved. A devoted woman of faith in her Lord Jesus Christ, Rosie was a gift giver, and the biggest gift she ever gave any of us was passing on a true faith in Jesus.
Surviving loved ones include: sons Terry (Sandy) Johnson, Max (Sharon) Johnson, and Jack (Amy) Johnson; daughter Pattie Pitman; grandchildren Michael Davis, Jason Davis, Kristena Johnson, Dustena Johnson, Amy (Jim) Cook, Usha Todd, Max Allen (Sonia) Johnson, Ashely (Jason) Powers, Heather Johnson, Shane (Autumn) Douglas, David (Heather) Douglas, Patrick (Kayla) Diaz, Tabetha Hammer, Bethany Harrington, Kendra Johnson, Russell Dickerson, Jonathan Dickerson, Aaron Hayes, Wesley Carlile, Stanley Carlile, Paul Woods, Kandace Halbrook, Kaitlin Black, Karlie Pitman, Kerbie Pitman, Graig Pitman, and Klarissa Pitman. A loving recognition is also given to the children and grandchildren of our late Jack Blinn of Walton, her husband who preceded her in death; 53 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great-grandchildren!
Family members Wayne Johnson, Jack Blinn, Trena Johnson, Randall Johnson, Corey Johnson all preceded Rosie in death.
Services will be held July 10, 2025, at Sunset Memory Garden, 2097 W. Alto Road, Kokomo, at 12 p.m. with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. Pastors Marc Watkins of The River Church, Marion, IN, and Matt Ellis of Northside Village Church in Kokomo will officiate the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Taylor Band and Guard Boosters, as Rosie was an avid fan and supporter of the Taylor Band.
Entombment will immediately follow her service in the Chapel of Love Mausoleum.
Gregory "Greg" Dean Ellis
Gregory "Greg" Dean Ellis, 72, Greentown, passed away on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at St. Franciscan Health in Indianapolis. Born February 16, 1953, in Kokomo, Indiana, he was the son of Marion “Dodo” & Betty (Bontrager) Ellis.
Greg had a lifelong passion for fast cars, a love ignited by his first car, a 1969 Plymouth Road Runner, which he often raced at Bunker Hill Dragstrip. A social individual, he enjoyed playing cards with friends and had an eclectic taste in music, favoring artists like the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and the Beatles. Greg was also a devoted fan of watching sunsets from his back porch, a simple pleasure that brought him immense joy.
He attended Eastern High School, graduating in 1971, where he developed a keen interest in history and math. Greg’s career spanned over five decades at Chrysler Corp, where he retired in June of 2023 after 51.5 years of dedicated service.
Greg grew up attending Jerome Christian Church, reflecting his community ties and spiritual upbringing. His hobbies were as diverse as his personality. He was known for his culinary skills, especially making horseradish, vegetable soup, and goulash, and his love for casinos. Greg was also a regular viewer of Fox News and enjoyed relaxing with a Budweiser.
Greg’s life will be remembered and celebrated by all who knew him, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and the echoes of a well-lived life.
Greg is survived by his mother Betty Dufek, daughter Natalie (Demtreius) Ellis, bonus children Wendy (Chris) Blankenship and Michael (Cindy) Tucker, siblings Byron Eric Ellis, Steve Lynn (Patty) Ellis, and John Robert (Kimberly) Ellis, grandchildren Paul Tucker, Gage Blankenship, and Katelyn Tucker, and several aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.
Greg was preceded in death by his father Marion “Dodo” Ellis, wife Brenda Ellis, and beloved pets Kiki and Gigi.
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Hasler & Stout Funeral Home, 112 E. Main Street, Greentown, with Brian Smith officiating. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4-8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Messages of condolences may be left online at www.hasler-stout.com.
Ellen Berdean (Rody) Gerhart
On July 7, 2025, Heaven welcomed home a most loving woman, Ellen Berdean (Rody) Gerhart. Berdean was born in Kokomo, Indiana, on November 1, 1925, to the late Ora Glen Sr. and Mary Frances "Marie" (Dean) Rody.
After graduating from Kokomo High School and working in administrative positions for Delco, she married the love of her life Floyd Henry Gerhart on August 16, 1947, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Kokomo. Berdean and Floyd regularly attended St. Pat’s. Berdean devoted her life to being supportive of her family, and when Berdean and Floyd would spend winters at their home in Bonita Springs, Florida, their children and grandchildren were always welcome to visit. When they were in Kokomo, they regularly attended their grandchildren’s school and sporting events. Berdean was a remarkable seamstress and a great cook, with butter and salt as mainstays.
Berdean lived a full life and is survived by her children Hank (Robin) Gerhart, Jill Arvin, Chris Gerhart, and Matthew (Sherri) Gerhart, grandchildren Karly, Sara, Patrick (Kim), Abby (Glen), Ashley (William), Monty (Christy), Nicole, and Rachelle, and many great- and great-great grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, Berdean was preceded in passing by her husband Floyd, son Michael Kent, brother Ora Glen Rody, sister Mary Frances "Sadie" McClure, and grandson Cory Gerhart.
There will be a visitation for Berdean held at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home on Monday, July 14 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., followed immediately by a funeral service. Berdean will then be laid to rest at Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery.
Jace Michael Bryant
Jace Michael Bryant, 26 years old, of Fishers, suddenly passed away Sunday, July 6, 2025, by means of a car accident. He was born in Indianapolis, IN, on May 9, 1999. He is the son of Rodney L. Bryant and Jacinda “Cyndi” (Harth) Shearer.
Jace was a 2019 graduate of Fishers High School. He was formerly employed by Rize in Fishers as a bus boy. Jace always had a happy and joyful demeanor. He was a lover, a smart man, and a big teddy bear. He adored animals, especially his dog named Bristol. He was passionate about Pokémon and monster trucks. He loved watching sports and going to the movies. Jace participated in weightlifting, swimming, baseball, basketball, and track in the Special Olympics and earned many medals. He enjoyed participating in the Tug the Full-Size FedEx Jet competition which raised funds to support the Special Olympics.
He is survived by his mom Cyndi (Bert) Shearer, brother Wes (Courtney) Beckom, sister Cassie (Kevin) Davin, nieces and nephew Corrigan Beckom, Carringtyn Beckom, Lyla Davin, and Lyndin Davin, grandmothers Mary Ann Harth and Donis (Don) Givens, aunts Missy (Jacki) Williams and Deb Mund, stepsister Kara Shearer, and step-nieces Karli Shearer and Kayli Shearer.
He was preceded in death by his great-grandmother Hazel Smith, grandpa Melvin Harth, and his father Rodney L. Bryant.
Services for Jace are pending. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.
Doris June Robbins
Doris June Robbins, 91, Greentown, passed away peacefully on July 4, 2025, at her home. Born August 27, 1933, in Kokomo, Indiana, she was the daughter of Daniel & Elizabeth (Sommers) Hershberger. In 1957, she married Richard A. Robbins, who passed away in 2000.
Doris was a lifelong resident of the area and a 1951 graduate of Eastern High School. She was a loving and graceful person, always offering a kind word for everyone. Her caring heart and gentle spirit made her a beloved figure in her community. A devout Christian, she was known as a prayer warrior, deeply involved in her faith, and a regular attendee at the Community Bible Church in her earlier years. Doris had a passion for watching Gaither videos, Christian movies, and listening to Christian music. She was also a strong supporter of TBN.
Family was the cornerstone of Doris's life. She cherished family gatherings and holidays, creating lasting memories with her loved ones. She is survived by her four sons Jeffery, Tim, Rick, and Jeremy (Loretta) Robbins, grandchildren Brandon Robbins, Autumn (Kevin) Powell, Mariah Robbins, Hannah (Nate) Smith, Emily Robbins, Alisha Robbins, and Daniel Robbins, seven great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and special neighbors Roger and Cathy, who held a dear place in her heart.
Doris was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Richard A. Robbins, her daughter Beth Robbins, and her sisters Mildred Whetstone, Ima Overholt, Leatha Stuckey, and Cleo Lantz.
Private funeral services will be held at Hasler & Stout Funeral Home, 112 E. Main Street, Greentown, with Pastor Gary Hoover officiating. A private burial will take place in Mast-Hensler Cemetery.