Obituaries, March 2, 2023

James R. Butcher

James R. Butcher, 84, Kokomo, passed away at 9:25 am on Tuesday February 28, 2023, at Century Villa Health & Rehab Center. He was born in Clinton, IN, on May 20, 1938, to the late James Godfrey and Ila Butcher. On December 19, 1975, he married Susan Michele Hilton, and she survives.

James graduated from Kokomo High School in 1955 and attended Montana State University. He worked for Delco Electronics for 11 years. He went on to become a successful salesman for many years. He spent his last years and enjoyed his work at Tom Roush in Westfield. He enjoyed hunting, camping and was a sports enthusiast. He enjoyed the annual garage sale he and his daughter held. He refereed basketball games at the Armory. He loved playing basketball and was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame by Bob Knight in 1980, and the Howard County Hall of Fame in 2016.

Along with his wife, Michele, James is survived by his children, Susan (Ernie) Cottingham, Kim (Mark) Herr, James A. (Crystal A.) Butcher, and Julie (Jesse) Broomfield; grandchildren, Charlie (Caitlin) Springer, Jennifer (Todd) McKay, Beth (Michael) Fuller, Brad (Heidi) Cottingham, Christy Cottingham, Nathan Steward, Tatum Hemmeger, Nicole (Samuel) Verbosky, Abigail (Michael) O’Donoghue, Ryan (Meghan) Herr, Nathan (Emily) Herr, Taylor M. Butcher, Jordan Broomfield, Jesse-Ben (Brittany) Broomfield, and Jada-Claire Broomfield; many great grandchildren; brother, David Butcher (Ron Clark); nieces & nephews, Cindy Dunlap, Greg Sherrow, Brenda (Darrell) Schwartz, and Kevin Sherrow.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson, Brad Hemmeger; and sister, Sonna (Don) Sherrow.

A memorial service will be held at Noon on Monday, March 6, 2023, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Rd., Kokomo, with Deacon Chuck Springer officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 10 am to Noon on Monday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bradley E. Hemmeger Memorial Scholarship, C/O Community Foundation of Howard County, 215 W. Sycamore St., Kokomo, IN 46901. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

John W. Halley

John lost his short battle with cancer at home surrounded by his family on February 25, 2023.

He was born in Kokomo, Indiana the son of Bill and Ruth Halley. He was a graduate of Haworth High School in 1973. He retired from the City of Kokomo after 41 years of service in a supervisory position. In his early years with the city, he was Union president. Additionally, he was a loan executive for the United Way.

He married the love of his life, Marilyn, on May 16, 1985. They enjoyed traveling, dining out, watching movies, and most of all just being together. John was a very gentle man who was a huge fan of IU Basketball, the Bears, and the Lakers. Also, he enjoyed all music and working his flower gardens.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; stepson, Randy (Shelly) Morris; sister, Linda (Jim) Henry; grandchildren, Amanda (Thomas) Cornelius; Megan (Trevor) Hoover; great-grandchildren, Caroline and Carly Cornelius; nieces, Barbara Henry, Nancy (Brian) Dunbar; nephews, Michael Henry, Casey Thompson; sister and brother-in-law, Frank and Gloria Ireland; sister-in-law, Bev Loveland.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father; brother, Jack; sister, Ruthann; niece, Kristi Henry; and nephew, Artie Loveland.

Friends are invited to join in a Celebration of John's Life on Friday, March 3, 2023 from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM at Ellers Mortuary, 3400 South Webster, Kokomo, IN. There will be a brief Sharing of Memories at 3:45 PM.

Janette Mitchell

Janette Mitchell, of Kokomo, Indiana passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2023.

A gathering of friends & family for Janette will be held Saturday, March 4, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ellersmortuarywebster.com for the Mitchell family.

David Keith Parrish

David Keith Parrish, 80, Kokomo, passed away at 7:15 pm on Monday, February 27, 2023, at his home. He was born in Windfall, on September 9, 1942, to the late Ruben and Francis (Ailman) Parrish. On October 8, 1966, he married Shirley Baker, and she survives.

David graduated from Windfall High School. He retired from Motion Industries, where he was part of the sales team. He enjoyed watching NASCAR and WWE, target shooting, listening to country music, and fishing. He loved sitting on his front porch and drinking his coffee each morning.

Along with his wife of 56 years, Shirley, David is survived by his children, Michelle (Richard) Bentley, and Sean (Kristy) Parrish; grandchildren, Shanae (William) Hamilton, Laura Elizabeth Bentley, Richard Bentley III, Michael (Jalinda) Bentley, Jaden Bentley, Hailey Parrish, and Braxton Parrish; great grandchildren, Seth, Spencer, Emily, Damon, Richard, and Beckett; siblings, Pat Mann, Robert (Patricia) Parrish, Don (Shirley) Parrish; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, Bill Parrish, and Richard “Dick” Parrish.

A funeral service will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home - Jefferson Street Chapel, 414 W. Jefferson St., with Pastor Chad Collins and Brad Alexander officiating. Burial will follow in Brookside Cemetery in Windfall. Friends may visit with the family from 11 am to 1 pm on Saturday at the funeral home.

Jack A. Hite

Jack A. Hite, 88, Kokomo, passed away at 3:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at Wellbrooke of Kokomo. He was born in Pendleton, Indiana on December 8, 1934, to the late Glenn I. and Helen W. (Michael) Hite. Jack married Lois C. Steves on February 26, 1961, and she survives.

Jack served for three years in the United States Army Security Agency with time in the Korean War. He was employed in the credit field for most of his life working for Bank of America, Security Federal Savings Bank and First National Bank. He enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren, watching IU Basketball and working on Mustangs. He was active in Kokomo Kiwanis for the past 47 years.

Jack is survived by his wife, Lois C. Hite; his children, Julie (Chris) Rossi, Kokomo and John Hite, Forney Texas; grandchildren, Megan (Kole) McWhirt, Kokomo, Ryan (Kelcee) Rossi, Kokomo, Jake Hite and Joe Hite, Forney Texas; great-grandchildren, Piper McWhirt and Brecklynn McWhirt. Sisters Peggy Clark, Jo Lewis, and Barb Perry. Sister-in-Law Helen Fricke and Brother-in-Law Charles Lacey.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, March 4, 2023, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo. Burial will follow in Albright Cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Army and the Kokomo VFW Military Rites Team. Friends are invited to visit with the family from Noon until time of service Saturday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jack’s honor to Kokomo Noon Kiwanis or Abundant Life Church. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Juanita Jeanette Sears

Juanita Jeanette Sears, age 86, of Kokomo, Indiana passed away on Monday, February 27, 2023.

A public visitation for Juanita will be held Monday, March 6, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Ellers Mortuary & Crematory Center, 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo, Indiana 46902. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at 11:00 AM, 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo, Indiana 46902. A burial will occur Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at 12:30 PM at Kokomo Memorial Park.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ellersmortuarywebster.com for the Sears family.

Eddie Eugene Beckner

Eddie Eugene Beckner, 58, Kokomo, passed away at 8:21 pm Sunday, February 26, 2023, at Community Howard Regional Health in Kokomo. He was born June 18, 1964, in Kokomo, the son of Paul Edward & Shirley Ann (Hounchell) Beckner.

Eddie was a 1982 graduate of Western High School. He worked as a machine repairman and millwright and could fix anything. Eddie was also a handyman and an MMA Fighter. He enjoyed living in the mountains of Arkansas.

Eddie is survived by his mother, Shirley Beckner; brother, Tim Beckner; sister, Kim (Andrew) Smith; nieces and nephews, Kayla Beckner, Mike Beckner, Danylle Smith, Samantha Smith, Austin Smith, Buddy McLay, Destry Jones and Alex McMillin.

Eddie was preceded in death by his father, Paul Edward Beckner; brother, Paul Eugene Beckner; and nephew, Joshua Paul Beckner.

The family will hold a memorial at a later date. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with cremation.