Obituaries, June 26, 2023
Gary Alan Stalter
Four Score and 7 years ago, Gary Alan Stalter was born October 15th, 1954 in Tipton County Hospital. His parents were Theodore “Ted” Stalter Jr and Joyce M. (Reynolds) Stalter. His grandparents were Theodore “Ted” Stalter Sr and Mildred Stalter, Elwood “Bert” Reynolds and Mildred Reynolds. On August 10, 1974, Gary married Melanie J. (Wiebusch) Stalter in Kokomo.
Gary passed away on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at 7:07am. He graduated from Haworth High School in 1972. He was a member of the high school swim team where he competed at the state championship level his junior and senior years. He graduated from IUPUI with a Bachelor of Science in Business in 1976, followed by a Masters of Business Administration from Ball State University in 1982. Gary also completed several Wharton School of Business certifications from the University of Pennsylvania.
Gary worked at Dairy Queen (where he met Melanie) while in high school, two years at American Standard Pottery, and 34 years in managerial positions at GM/Delco Electronics. The last years at GM, he worked as a Project Manager, retiring in December of 2008. After retiring, Gary worked 6 years at the local Rural King, in the firearms department.
As a teenager, Gary was a member of the local YMCA Rifle team, where he earned the NRA’s highest recognition, “Distinguished Expert” at the age of 15. Several decades later, he decided to pursue competition pistol shooting where he specialized in Steel Challenge and International Defensive Pistol. Much of his competitive shooting was done at Atlanta Conservation Club, in Atlanta, Indiana. He was also a certified Glock Armorer. Gary was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, The International Defensive Pistol Association, and the Glock Sport Shooting Foundation. Gary was a member of Chapel Hill Christian Church.
Gary’s children and grandchildren were his joy and he loved teaching them all to ride a bike. He enjoyed family vacations, hiking in state parks, swimming, holidays and family meals with his large extended family. Gary has several lifelong friendships that were an important part of his life. His hobbies included target shooting and financial planning. Gary was known by others for his physical strength and mental toughness. He was always there for his family and would show up whenever a family member was in need. His love was shown through his deeds.
Gary is survived by his loving wife Melanie (Wiebusch) Stalter, son, Matthew Stalter and daughter-in-law Donna Stalter, daughter, Jennifer (Stalter) Fornelli, and son-in-law Shane Fornelli. Grandchildren, Dakota Stalter, Andrew Stalter, Ashlynn Stalter, Preston Stalter, Reuben Fornelli, Graham Fornelli, and Lochlan Fornelli. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Kurt G. Stalter.
Funeral services will be held at 11 am Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at Shirley & Stout Funeral Homes, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo, with Pastor Steve Allen officiating. Burial will follow in Albright Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 5-7 pm Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Preschool at Chapel Hill Christian Church. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 8:38-39
Ferris Allen Petty
Ferris Allen Petty, 93, Greentown, passed away at 8:15 am Saturday, June 24, 2023, at Century Villa Healthcare in Greentown. He was born July 16, 1929, in Greentown, the son of the late Eldon Ellsworth Petty & Viola (Mohler) Petty.
Ferris worked as a millwright repairing and maintaining grain bins and silos. He was also a school bus driver for Eastern School Corporation. Ferris had been a Lions Club member for over 60 years and a member of Meridian Street Christian Church. He owned Petty’s Campground where he enjoyed spending time with his family and being outdoors. Ferris was a pilot who loved to fly and owned his own plane. He Looked forward to Sunday “fly-ins” to have breakfast with friends.
Ferris is survived by his daughters, Cindy (Dan) Simmons, Connie (Brian) Smith and Jill (Troy) Armstrong; grandchildren, Brandon (Emily) Smith, Joshua Smith, Krista (Jake) Gorski, Trent (Liz Turner) Armstrong and Trace Allen Armstrong; great-granddaughter, Hadalynn Gorski, along with several nieces and nephews.
Ferris was preceded in death by his parents; son, Mark Allen Petty; siblings, Loretta Harvey, Melvin Petty, Ferrell Petty, Earl Petty and Walt Petty.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, June 29, 2023, at Hasler & Stout Funeral Home, 112 E. Main Street, Greentown, with Terry Petty officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4-7 pm Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in Ferris’ memory to Kokomo Humane Society or Greentown Lions Club. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.hasler-stout.com.