Obituaries, May 27, 2023
Opal G McKibben
Opal G McKibben, 93, Kokomo, passed away Thursday, May 25, 2023, at her home surrounded by her family. She was born on February 1, 1930, in Corydon, to Cecil and Eddie Mae (Young) Kitterman. She married Rolland McKibben who preceded her in death on March 12, 2016.
Opal graduated from Corydon High School in 1947 and later went on to get an associate degree from Indiana University- Kokomo. She retired from Delco Electronics. She enjoyed spending time with her family and going out to eat with them. Opal attended church at Brookside Free Methodist Church and was also a member of Perseverance Chapel in Corydon.
Survivors include daughters, Penny (Steve) Mckibben and Marsha Ramberg; step-son, Gary McKibben Sr.; grandchildren, Heidi (Bruce) Pearce, Natalie (Andrew) McCauley, Michelle Ramberg, Heather Ramberg, Amber Turner, Ila Smith, and Alan Smith; and many great grandchildren.
Preceding her in death are her parents, husband, son, Anthony Smith; stepson, Michael McKibben; and grandchildren, Kimberly Harvey and Savannah Smith.
A Funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Rd, Kokomo, with Pastor Doug Benham officiating. A committal service will be Thursday, June 1,2023, at 2p.m. in Perseverance Chapel Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family at 1p.m. until service begins Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association in Opals name. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
R. Francis Hannah
Our brother and uncle, R. Francis Hannah (“Franny”), passed away May 22, 2023. Born in the family home on August 7, 1941, Francis was the son of Robert and Bernice Hannah.
Our brother was a lifelong resident of Union Township and a 1959 graduate of Eastern High School. After graduation, he served in the United States Army, spending a tour of duty in Vietnam. After coming home from the war, he returned to our family farm, never fully retiring. In 1972, he married Pat Jones, of Marion, Indiana.
Francis attended Faith Community Church in Phlox, Indiana where he taught Sunday School and was a church trustee. He was also a member of Farm Bureau, American Legion, VFW, and the Greentown Historical Society. He also worked as an auctioneer at the Strawtown Auction Barn.
More often than not, Francis could be found at Home Town restaurant in the morning getting his breakfast and swapping stories with friends and other patrons. He enjoyed the monthly lunches with his fellow 1959 classmates and the memories they re-lived each time they gathered together.
Surviving family include brothers, J. Edgar (“Eddie”) Hannah and wife Connie, Murel Hannah and wife Claudia, two nieces, four nephews, and eleven great-nephews and nieces.
Preceded in death is his wife, Pat and parents.
The family will honor our brother and uncle on June 2 at 10 a.m. at New Hope Cemetery 4450 S. 1/10th mile West of 1100 E. in a graveside ceremony with full military honors. A memorial service will follow at 12 p.m. at Faith Community Church 4023 S 1100 E, Greentown, IN 46936. Both the cemetery and the church are located in Phlox, Indiana.
Hasler & Stout Funeral Home 112 E. Main Street Greentown were entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.hasler-stout.com.
Mary Belle Powell
Mary Belle Powell, 90, of Kokomo, passed away at 6:55 am Saturday May 20, 2023, at her home. She was born in Haven, Kansas, on September 22, 1932, the daughter of Evy Daniel and Roberta Belle (Wright) Easter. On February 8, 1969, she married Jacob Henry “Hank” Powell, and he survives.
Mary held employment at Haynes Stellite, Kingston’s, Cuneo Press, and Turner’s Department Store. She retired from Delco Electronics where she worked in production. Mary was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. She was a former member of Judson Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School for years. She and her husband Hank were snowbirds down in Florida. She loved spoiling her grandchildren and taking them on trips to Disney World.
Mary is survived by her children, Larry (Michelle) Hinesley, Brenda Hensley, Rick (Karen) Powell, Penny Taylor, Pam Lusher; brother, Floyd Easter; numerous grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and many great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Evy and Roberta Easter; siblings, Edward Easter, Charles Easter, Roletta Weese, Margarett Perrin, Eva Brokaw, Clyde Easter, Parry Easter; son-in-law, Roger Hensley; and sister-in-law, Dolores Easter.
Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10 am to Noon Monday June 5, 2023, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 West Lincoln Road, Kokomo, IN 46902. Funeral service will begin at Noon on Monday June 5, 2023, at the funeral home, with Pastor Steven Archer officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memory Garden. Contributions may be made in Mary’s memory to Calvary Baptist Church. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.