Obituaries, June 17, 2025
Nolan Pyke, Mary Elisabeth “Libby” Washburn, Joyce Ellen Osbon
Nolan Pyke
Nolan Pyke, a dedicated husband, father, and community servant, passed away on June 12, 2025, at his residence, surrounded by his family. He was born on April 12, 1941, in Indianapolis to Norman & Naomi (Illges) Pyke. On March 5, 1994, he married Pamela Jones, and she survives.
Nolan graduated from Tipton High School Class of 1959. Following his high school education, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, proudly serving his country from 1960 to 1965. Nolan owned and operated No-Lin’s bakery from 1974-1978, creating many dozen donuts enjoyed throughout the community. He worked at the Tipton County Health Department for 20 years before retiring in 2015. His commitment to his community extended beyond his professional life. He was an active member of West Street Christian Church and devoted much of his time to improving the lives of those around him.
Nolan loved his family and his community, where he was very active in bettering the lives of all he met. Nolan and Pam were two of the first organizers of the Tipton Community Theatre, where Nolan served as the first president of the organization. He was a Cub Scouts leader and CYF youth group leader. Christmas was a particularly special time for Nolan as he brought joy and excitement to children and adults alike by donning his Santa suit each year. Besides Santa, he was also a Butcher, Baker, and Candle Stick Maker. Nolan was a poet and storyteller. He even wrote his own story, entitled “Mary’s Story.” He was a big supporter of the Tipton Blue Devils and could often be found cheering them on in the stands. A skilled craftsman, Nolan enjoyed making a Chinese checkerboard and often challenged his friends and family to a game. When not playing checkers, he delighted in playing cards and solving crossword puzzles.
He is survived by his wife Pam of Tipton, three sons Jeff Pyke and wife Chenelle, Joe Pyke, and Jon Pyke, a daughter Felica Fritch, 14 grandchildren Blake and wife Desiree, Keegan and wife Brianna, Noah and wife Jessica, Keelee Dobbs and husband Hunter, Brooklyn, Brittany, Brady, and Colton Temple, Josie, Josiah, Taylor, Austin, Aron, and Brayden, along with his great-grandchildren Saige, Oliva, Henry, Bentlee, Luca, Aemilia Rose, Greyson, Tatum, Lincoln, McKinley, Carter, Evie, and Maggie, a brother-in-law Doug Jones and wife Sandy, and nieces & nephews.
Nolan was preceded in death by his sister Norma and brother George.
A celebration honoring Nolan’s life will be held on Saturday, June 21, at 4:00 P.M. at West Street Christian Church. Rev Ashley Sherard will preside. The Tipton American Legion and the United States Marines will provide military honors. The family will receive friends at the church on Saturday beginning at 2:00 P.M. until service time.
Young-Nichols Funeral Home is honored to be chosen to assist Nolan’s family at this time. Messages of condolence may be left for his family on his obituary page at www.young-nichols.com.
Memorial donations may be made to the Tipton Community Theater, P.O. Box 204, Tipton, Indiana, 46072 or West Street Christian Church, 132 N. West Street, Tipton, Indiana, 46072.
Mary Elisabeth “Libby” Washburn
Mary Elisabeth “Libby” Washburn, 76, of Kokomo, passed away at 7:21 p.m. on Sunday, June 15, 2025, at her home. She was born on September 23, 1948, daughter of Robert Warren “Bob” and Mary Elizabeth (Butler) Hamilton in Indianapolis, IN. On March 31, 2005, she married Brian Christopher “Chris” Washburn in Kokomo, and he survives.
Libby was a 1966 graduate of Kokomo High School and earned a bachelor's degree of library science from Ball State University. She worked as librarian at Kokomo Howard County Public Library and the Bookmobile where she curated the children’s book selections and worked as a social worker for Area 5 legal aid, Windsor Estates, and the FSSA office. She also worked as a bookkeeper for Blondie’s Cookies. Libby was a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism where she studied Medieval History and was a member of the Medieval Reenactment Club, and a member of the Kokomo Civic Theater and the Carriage House Division of the drama department of Indiana University Kokomo. Her roles in the drama department included playing both sisters in Arsenic and Old Lace. Libby was known for her singing in choir with the Civic Theater and in other organizations.
Along with her husband Chris Washburn, she is survived by her sister Nancy (Ron) Hamilton Sowder, brothers Rob (Nancy) Hamilton and Terry (Debbie) Hamilton, stepdaughter Myra (Lewis) Fahnestock Jones, and grandsons Alexander Jones and Liam Jones, many nieces, and one nephew.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister.
A memorial service celebrating Libby’s life will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, June 27, 2025, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Homes & Crematory. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 2 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society in Libby’s memory, www.cancer.org. Messages of condolences may be left at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Joyce Ellen Osbon
Joyce Ellen Osbon, 75 of Tipton, came into this world on February 11, 1950, in Kokomo, the daughter of Samuel & Carrie (Farrington) Graber. She passed away on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Community North Hospital in Indianapolis. Joyce married Steve Osbon on June 13, 1970, and she died one day short of their 55th anniversary.
Joyce retired form Delco in Kokomo in 1998 after 30 years of service. Not content to just sit around, Joyce went to work for Richter Chiropractic in Tipton, a job she still had at the time she entered the hospital.
She was a graduate of Sharpsville High School in the Class of 1968 and enjoyed many monthly dinners with her graduating class members. She attended Oasis Church and had many happy memories of spending time with her church family.
Joyce was an avid fan of the Pacers, Indiana University, and the Colts. She loved spending time with her children and her grands, especially at the family cottage at Beaver Dam. Joyce was one of those people who never met a stranger.
Survivors besides her husband Steve include their two children Tony Osbon (wife Julie) and Dawn Osbon, all of Tipton, one brother Jerry Graber and wife Diana of Kokomo, and one sister Jeannie Moore and husband Moe of Kokomo. Joyce was also blessed with six grandchildren Clayton (Kelsey) Lowe, Taylor Osbon, Austin (Kaylie) Barr, Blaine White, Makayla Osbon, and Cayden Osbon, as well as three great-grandchildren Paisleigh Bell, Cooper Lynn, and Avery Barr, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents Sam and Carrie Graber, her in-laws Charlie and Bev Osbon, a sister Judy Phillips and a brother Jeffrey Graber.
A memorial service for Joyce will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 12, at Oasis Community Church in Tipton with Pastor Ben Crouse presiding. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service.
Young-Nichols Funeral Home is honored to be chosen to assist Joyce’s family at this time. Messages of condolence may be left for her family on her obituary page at www.young-nichols.com.