Obituaries, March 4, 2023

David Wayne Kelly

David Wayne Kelly, 72, Kokomo, passed away Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at his home. He was born on December 11, 1950, in Kokomo, the son of Ralph and Helen (Taylor) Kelly.

Dave was a 1969 graduate of Northwestern High School. He served in the United States Army from 1970-1976 with one year in the Vietnam War, obtaining the rank of Sergeant. He worked as a self-employed farmer for his entire life. Dave’s grandchildren were his life as “Papaw” enjoyed attending their sporting events, and taking them all out to breakfast at Bob Evans.

Dave is survived by his sons, Brad (Colleen) Kelly, Kyle (Missy) Kelly; grandchildren, Meredith, Declan, Fintan, Kailen; siblings, Marjie (Larry) Sullivan, Joe (Vickie) Kelly, Marlita Kelly; mother of his children, Michele Kelly.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A funeral service will be held at 10 am Monday, March 6, 2023, at Stout & Son Funeral Home, 200 E. Main St., Russiaville, with Rev. David Osborne officiating. A private family burial will take place in South Union Cemetery. Military Rites will be provided by the United States Army and the Greentown American Legion Post #317. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 2 pm to 5 pm Sunday, March 5, 2023, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Howard County 4-H in Dave’s memory. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.stoutandson.com.

Kathleen “Kay” Marie Swartz

Kathleen “Kay” Marie Swartz, passed away on Sunday, February 19, 2023, at the age of 87.

Kay was born on February 11, 1936 in Canton, OH to Joseph John and Ruth Mary (Gavin) Brumbaugh. She was blessed to travel the world in her youth, including studying abroad in Switzerland for a year. She told her children many stories of her adventures in Europe, which sparked a sense of adventure in all who knew her. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dominican University (formerly Rosary College) of River Forest, Illinois in 1958, and worked as a high school art teacher. She married James “Jim” B. Swartz, in 1959, and they settled down in Kokomo. Together, Jim and Kay raised two sons, Joe and Greg, and two daughters, Laura and Julie. She was a homemaker when her children were young, then a bookkeeper and accountant for the family business. She excelled at everything, especially at being a mother.

Kay had a passion for oil and watercolor painting. She was an avid skier, tennis player, swimmer, and lifeguard. And she loved her German Shepherd dogs. She also loved good food with family and friends, chocolate, and a glass of red wine or chocolate martini. She was a Christian and attended Catholic Church all her life. She was known for her quick wit, as well as her kind and quiet spirit. Except for a year in Tuskegee, Alabama, she lived most of her adult life in Kokomo Indiana, then moved to Noblesville Indiana about 15-years ago where she lived on Morse Reservoir and enjoyed the “lake life.” She looked forward to boating and kayaking during the summer and loved to relax on a floatie in the sun, tethered to a dock or boat.

During dinner, Kay would always toast “to those who couldn’t be here with us today, but would if they could”. She will now be included in this toast that her loved ones will carry forward.

Kay was preceded in death by her father, Joseph Brumbaugh, her mother, Ruth Brumbaugh, her sister, JoAnn Weber, her husband, Jim Swartz, her son, Greg Swartz, and her granddaughter, Terra Louis. She is survived by her sisters, Ruthanne Brumbaugh and Jane Miller; her children, Joe Swartz, Laura Louis, and Julie Thorpe; her daughters-in-law Natalie (Norris) Thorpe and Margot (Mosier) Swartz; her grandchildren Brendan Thorpe, Dylan Thorpe, Kylie Thorpe, Jordan Agnew, Paul Swartz, Madison Swartz, Ireland Swartz, Nick Swartz, and Sam Louis; several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Friday, March 10, 2023, at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church at 14598 Oak Ridge Rd, Carmel, IN, 46032, at 1:30 p.m., followed by a funeral mass service from 2:30-3:30 p.m. A celebration of life for Kay and Jim Swartz will follow from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Sky Ballroom at the Club at Chatham Hills, 1100 Chatham Hills Boulevard, Westfield, Indiana 46074.

Flowers can be sent to Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Humane Society for Hamilton County. She will be laid to rest at Sunset Memory Gardens in Kokomo, Indiana.

Jessica Whitney Casteel

Jessica Whitney Casteel, 32, Bunker Hill, IN., passed away Sunday, February 26, 2023, at her home. She was born June 6, 1990, to John Piel & Julie M. (Shutters) Eichelberger. On September 9, 2009, she married Nicholas Gene Casteel, and he survives.

Jessica loved all things basketball, music, dolphins, the ocean and writing poems! She loved to spend time with her children, family, and friends! When she was younger, she loved picking on her little sister and doing everything with her! She loved her husband and making plans for many ocean side vacations! She was an amazing and beautiful soul, who will be greatly missed by family & friends!

Along with her husband, Nicholas, Jessica is also survived by her father, John Piel, St. Louis MO; stepfather, Ronald J. Eichelberger; a daughter & son; sister, Jenni-Rebeccah Tyler, Winder GA; including step siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, & nephews.

Jessica was preceded in death by her grandmother, Ada M Shutters, grandfather, Richard E. Shutters, Mother, Julie M. Eichelberger.

A funeral service will be held at 3 pm on Friday, March 10, 2023, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo. Friends may visit with the family from 1 pm to 3 pm on Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the funeral home to assist the family with final expenses. Messages of condolence and contributions may be made online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

John Robert Sullivan

John Robert Sullivan, age 67, of Galveston, Indiana passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 2, 2023. He was born to the late Rolland J. and Betty (Causey) Sullivan on December 18, 1955 in Tipton, In. John married Mary (Duncan) Sullivan on Feb. 2, 1974 in Russiaville, and she survives.

John retired from Waste Management in 2006. He enjoyed playing guitar, building model cars, and riding his motorcycles.

John is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Mary; three children, Howard (Donna) Duncan, Jerry (Stormy) Sullivan, and Amanda Jessie; 13 grandchildren, Ashley (Levi), Zachary, Cody, Chase, Kirsten, Johnathan, Dannye, Jerry Lee, Mercedes, Izabelle, EmmaLee, Mary, and Timothy; three great-grandchildren, Jackson, Avery, and Gracey; brother, Greg Sullivan; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

The family will have a private Celebration of Life at a later date.

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