Obituaries, May 18, 2023
David Lee Medsker
David Lee Medsker, age 71, of Kokomo, Indiana passed away on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at his residence. He was born to the late James Levi and Ruth Alice (Wiggs) Medsker on April 5, 1952 in Auburn, Indiana. David married Ruth Elaine (Robinson) Medsker on May 21, 1977 in Kokomo, and she survives.
After David graduated from Kokomo High School in 1970, he went on to earn a bachelor's degree in liberal arts from Indiana University Kokomo. After, he earned a master's degree majoring in pre-clinical psychology from Ball State University. David worked at Wabash Valley Hospital in Lafayette, where he began as an addictions counselor, and later became the Director of Addictions Services. He earned licenses as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor and a Clinical Addiction Counselor. He made the switch and was a Corporate Compliance Officer, until his retirement in 2014. David enjoyed running his entire life and completed several mini marathons. During the pandemic, he walked a scenic route virtually for 3,000 miles from coast to coast. Being new to the area, this allowed an opportunity to enjoy meeting the neighbors. David was kind, thoughtful, had a great sense of humor, and was loved dearly by all his friends and family. Above all, he was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
Surviving is his loving wife of 46 years, Ruth Elaine; daughter, Jennifer (Steven) Seslar, of Greenwood; son, Brian (LeAnn) Medsker, of Greenwood; grandchildren, Blake Seslar, Abigail Seslar, Tyler Seslar, Savannah Medsker, and Nolan Medsker, all of Greenwood; sister, Janice (Floyd) Beebe, of McDonald, OH; brothers-in-law, James (Sharon) Robinson, of Kokomo, William (Debbie) Robinson, of Buckeye, AZ, cousin, Carole King-Hebling, of Woodsfield, OH; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded by his parents; brother, Steve Medsker; and nephew, Denny Beebe.
There will be a time of visitation for David on Saturday, May 20, 2023 from 3:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at Ellers Mortuary Webster Chapel, 3400 South Webster Street, Kokomo. Burial at Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery will be at a later date. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ellersmortuarywebster.com for the Medsker family.
Willie Ray Dyer
Willie Ray Dyer went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Kokomo, IN where he has resided since 2016. He suffers no longer, all his tears have been wiped away, and he is now surrounded by the glory of the Lord forever!
Ray was born on February 10, 1974 to the late Robert G. Dyer and his mother Margie K. Dyer in Wooster, OH. Ray was a common sense, simple man, he loved God, his family, and his country. He was very humble. He was a loyal friend.
Ray loved: movies, good books, keeping up with current events, time alone, time with family and friends, good conversation, great food, Green Bay Packers football, Cleveland Browns football, Buckeyes football, classic rock, and talking about politics and the Bible. He could make you laugh. He enjoyed making others happy.
He was preceded in death by his father. Ray leaves behind his mother, his brother, Rob (Kathryn) Dyer, his sisters, Teresa Davenport and Chris Dyer; his children Ethan and Rebekah, who he loved dearly. He is also survived by aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A memorial service will be held to celebrate the life of Willie Ray Dyer at Kokomo Reservoir at the East Shelter from 2pm-5pm on Saturday, May 20, 2023. Address: 100 County Rd. North 500 East Kokomo, IN.
Germaine Malachinski
Germaine Malachinski, 85, of Greentown passed away at 11:57 pm Saturday, May 13, 2023. She was born May 13, 1938, in Hinges, France, the daughter of Jules and Julienne (Mahieux) Toulotte. She married Norbert Malachinski on May 18, 1961 in Melbourne, Florida. Norbert preceded her in death July 29, 2003.
Germaine attended Melbourne High School then later went to business school. She worked as a manager of the Army Air Force Exchange Service, serving several bases during her career. She an active member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church where she was a member of the Sunshine Club.
Survivors include her daughter, Deborah (Raymond) Gates; sons, Randy (Deborah) Allenbaugh and Andrew (Gina) Malachinski; grandchildren, Lynlee McGary, Amber Mazzurco, Rachael Malachinski, and Candace Poppenberg; siblings, Elise Bingham and Renee Buck; and her beloved cat, Tigger.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and grandson, Christopher Gates.
A Memorial Mass will Be offered at Noon, Saturday, May 27, 2023, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 3155 S. 200 West, Kokomo, with Rev. Fr. Stephen Duquaine the celebrant. Inurnment will be made in Arlington National Cemetery with her husband, Norbert. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10 – Noon, Saturday, May 27th at the church. Contributions may be made in Germaine’s memory to St. Joan Catholic Church, St. Patrick Catholic Church, or the Kokomo Humane Society Cat Café. Shirley & Stout Funeral Homes has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Barbara “Barb” Louise (Riggs) Tharp
Barbara “Barb” Louise (Riggs) Tharp, 77, of Kokomo, passed away 10:30 am Sunday May 14, 2023, at her home. She was born at home in Burns City, IN, on November 11, 1945, the daughter of the late J.D. and Florene (Lewis) Riggs. On July 21, 1962, she married Charles Ross Tharp at the Kokomo Assembly of God, and he survives.
Words cannot express what a beautiful heart you had. You raised six kids of your own and helped raise at least a dozen neighborhood kids. Yes, we were that house! If you stepped foot in our house, mom was feeding. If you needed a place to sleep, mom would make a pallet for you. If you were running from the town Marshall, mom would find you a good hiding place! Lol!
We remember the long hot summer days and saying we were bored. Mom would say, ok kids, lets go on an adventure! She’d make sack lunches and we’d all walk to the back of a field, or through some woods, or maybe a mile down the road. Then mom would break out our sack lunches, we’d eat and tell stories. Then we’d pack up and head home. Mom would truly make it an adventure.
Sundays were always great! Can you imagine getting six kids ready for church, well she did!! Mom would hang all our Sunday clothes on the chandelier in the dining room every Saturday evening. Ironed and ready to go. Sunday morning she’d make breakfast and get us all ready. After church she’d make dinner for us and whoever came home from church with us. Then load us all back up for night church.
Mom made life fun! She was truly our ray of sunshine. She held our world together with her quirky sense of humor and an undying love for her family. Family or not, in our house, mom made everybody feel like family!
In addition to her husband Charlie, she is survived by her children, Bruce (Lynn) Tharp, Penny (Mike) Brunett, Christi (Dale) Miller, Carol Sears, Charlie Tharp, Michael (Christy) Tharp; 25 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Candace (Lowell) Pemberton; numerous aunts and uncles.
She was preceded in death by her parents, J.D and Florene Riggs; grandchildren, Jacob Tharp, Timothy Tharp; and son-in-law, Doug Sears.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 1 pm to 4 pm Saturday June 10, 2023, at the Sharpsville Gym, 405 South Brown Street, Sharpsville, IN 46068. Stout & Son Funeral Home – Sharpsville Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.stoutandson.com.
Garland “Bud” Eugene Foust
Garland “Bud” Eugene Foust, 89, of Kokomo, went to be with the Lord at 11:47 pm Monday May 15, 2023, at Community North Hospital in Indianapolis, IN. He was born in Sheridan, IN, on March 12, 1934, the son of the late John L. and Vivian (McCarty) Foust. On May 27, 1961, he married Margie Phillips, and she survives.
Bud was a 1952 graduate of Kokomo High School. He proudly served our country in the United States Army from 1956 to 1958 and earned the rank of Specialist Four. He retired from Delco Electronics in 1999 where he worked as an electrician. Bud was an intelligent and reserved man who liked reading books. He had a strong faith in Christ. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Kokomo and served as a Deacon. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, and enjoyed fishing with his son.
Bud is survived by his wife, Margie Foust; brother, Bob (Edwina) Foust, Greentown; sister, Betty Walker, Burlington.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Vivian Foust; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ruth and Claude Phillips; several brothers; and a brother-in-law.
Graveside service will begin at 9:30 am on Saturday May 20, 2023, at Geetingsville Cemetery, with Pastor Doug Benham officiating. Military honors will be provided by the United States Army and the Kokomo VFW Military Rites Team. Stout & Son Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.stoutandson.com.
Sharon Crawford
Sharon Crawford lived her entire life in Kokomo, Indiana, with the exception of a few years in Florida. Sharon retired from the Chrysler Corporation after 40 years of service. She had many friends in the area, with Geneva Gibson being her loved best friend until the day she passed.
Sharon was preceded in death by her husband Lewis Wayne Crawford, twin sons, Donald and Dennis Crawford and daughter Kimberly Caldwell. Sharon is survived by son Gregory of Silver Springs, Fl, sister, Joann, grandson, Dennis Spencer of Kokomo, grandson Jared Crawford of Tennessee, granddaughter Jaymi Crawford of Brookston, IN and nephew Mike Smith of Kokomo
Services are being arranged and will be announced within the next week.