Obituaries, June 20, 2023
Ronald “Ron” F. Ackerman
Ronald “Ron” F. Ackerman, loving husband, father, and grandfather, has gone to be with our Lord in his heavenly home. He was 91, of Peru, and passed peacefully in his sleep on Friday, June 16, 2023, at his home. He was born in Clairton, Pennsylvania, on June 18, 1931, the son of Francis and Mabel (Shupe) Ackerman. On June 21, 1952, he married Donna L. Gibb, and she survives.
Ron was a member of the 1949 graduating class from Clairton High School. He proudly served our country in the United States Army during the Korean War. He earned the rank of Corporal and received the National Defense Service Medal and Occupation Medal Germany. He retired from Alloys Crafts where he worked as a Cryogenic Engineer. Ron had a love for sports, mainly baseball and tennis. He was involved in the community and organized tournaments, coached little league baseball, and even opened the Burlington elementary school on Saturdays for children in the community to gather and play basketball. He loved the outdoors, gardening, and working hard to provide a home for his family.
He instilled hard work ethics, love, and commitment to family and cared for those around him. Ron’s family is thankful to God for blessing them with such a good and loving husband, father, and grandfather.
Ron is survived by his wife of 71 years, Donna Ackerman; children, Karen Lee (Douglas) Hansen and Ronald Scott Ackerman; grandsons, Jordan Hendershot and Caleb Hendershot; and grandson-in-law, Yilmar Garcia.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Mabel Ackerman, and brother Maynard Ackerman.
Graveside service will be held at 11 am Wednesday June 21, 2023, at Marion National Cemetery, with Ken Goss officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Kokomo VFW Military Rites Team and the United States Army. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Kristen Michelle Rody
Kristen Michelle Rody, 47, passed away at home, surrounded by family, June 14, 2023, in Kokomo, Indiana, following a courageous battle with colon cancer. She had made peace with knowing her time was short and her journey here was nearly finished.
She was born on March 5, 1976, and raised in Grant's Lick, Kentucky. She was a member of Plum Creek Christian Church. She graduated from Campbell County High, and attended Northern Kentucky University on a scholarship, earning her Bachelor of Arts (Graphic Design) Degree. She worked part-time for Thriftway, as a cake decorator in their bakery department while in school, and began work at Nash Finch Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, designing ads upon graduation. Her brief stint as a cake decorator fueled her desire to create her own cake decorating business producing birthday, wedding and special occasion baked goods.
Kristen married Eric Rody, and moved to his hometown of Kokomo, Indiana, in 2007 and established her home there. She was a wife, mother, a caretaker, a planner, who always had her "ducks in a row". Beyond just making sure her family would be okay day-to-day. she wanted them to keep the family traditions she had grown up with and were important to her. She decorated for holidays, cooked and baked for special occasions, took care of Hershey, their chocolate lab, and planned trips and outings. She made sure school activities were organized and prioritized, taught the boys manners, to be respectful, to think of others. She used the time she had left to spend with family and friends and create lasting memories.
Kristen is survived by her husband of 16 years, Eric Rody; her sons, Tyler Born and Liam Rody; her mother, Carol (Windgassen) Dawson; brother, Kevin Dawson; and her father, Paul Dawson. She also leaves behind aunts, uncles, many cousins, and close friends.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Kristen on Friday, June 23, from 2pm-4pm, with a funeral service at 4pm, at Ellers Mortuary, 3400 S. Webster St., Kokomo.
In lieu of sending flowers, donations can be made to the family to help with funeral expenses.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ellersmortuarywebster.com for the Rody family.
Byron Padgett
Byron Padgett, 61 of Kirklin passed away on June 15, 2023. He fought a long hard battle from an injury sustained in a hunting accident. He was born Aug. 30, 1961, in Kirklin, IN to Nancy Price Padgett and Thomas B. Padgett.
He graduated from Clinton Central High School in 1980 and was a member of the basketball team that won the regional that year. He was always so very proud of that. He was a union brick mason for 10 years. He was an EMT for 23 years and ran with both the Kirklin Fire Department and the Forest Fire Department. He was also a volunteer firefighter for both Kirklin and Forest. He left brick laying to work as a jailer at the Clinton County Sheriff's Department for 2 years. He later was hired by the town of Kirklin as their town marshal. He worked there for 16 years before retiring on July 11, 2011. He was also a member of the Clinton County SWAT team.
Byron had many hobbies during his life, but hunting was at the forefront. He was an avid reader of a variety of books but especially about World War II. He loved playing guitar, riding his Harley, leather working, gardening, fishing, collecting antiques and photography. He also received great joy from delivering mini golden doodle puppies for good friends Angie and Dennis Freidline.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years Jody Coleman Padgett; two children Logan R. Padgett and Dylan T. Padgett, his mother Nancy K. Padgett and brother Brooks W. Padgett (Irma), sister-in-law Janet C. Moeller, and nephew William C. Moeller.
He was preceded in passing by his father Thomas B. Padgett, sister Robin Ann Padgett and brother Scott.
A graveside service will be held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday June 24, 2023, at St. Paul Cemetery near Forest. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Stout & Son Funeral Home, 200 E. Main St. Russiaville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kirklin American Legion or Wounded Warrior Project. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.stoutandson.com.
Timothy Paxton “Tim” Sutterfield
Timothy Paxton “Tim” Sutterfield, 65, Kokomo, passed away at 8:00 am Saturday, June 17, 2023, at Waterford Place Health Campus in Kokomo. He was born July 28, 1957, in Kokomo, the son of the late James & Marion (Borland) Sutterfield.
Tim attended Kokomo High School. He retired from the City of Kokomo where he worked for both the Street Department and the Parks Department. Tim was a gun smith and had worked for Don’s Guns in Indianapolis. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and anything outdoors. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family.
Tim is survived by his sister, Pam (Phil) Butts; niece and nephew, Abigail (Ryan) Kern and Andrew (Lindsey) Butts; 7 great nieces and nephews; former wife, Crystal Sutterfield; stepson, Justin Crowell; Caleb McKee who was like a son to him; and several cousins.
Tim was preceded in death by his parents; and cousin, Barbara Peelle.
In keeping with Tim’s wishes no services will be held at this time. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family with cremation.