Obituaries, May 31, 2023
Mary Ellen (Clawson) Whitney
Mary Ellen (Clawson) Whitney, 93, passed away on Saturday May 27, 2023. She was born on August 16, 1929, in Delphi, the daughter of Chester A. and Mary (Stankard) Clawson. She married Leo G. Whitney, Jr. on April 2, 1949, and he preceded her in death.
Mary Ellen graduated from Peru High School. She worked at Cuneo Press and Swartwout Fabricating as a secretary.
Mary Ellen is survived by her daughters, Diana Whitney and April Kennedy; sons, Joe (Debbie) Whitney, and Paul (Louise) Whitney; grandchildren, Carri (Mike) Yovanoff, Connie (Brian) Higginbottom, A.J. Whitney, Katie (Ed) Wisniewski, Ryan Whitney, Kaitlyn (Noah) Morgan, Alex Kennedy, Evan (girlfriend Ashley) Kozienski, Kirk (Kacey) Kennedy II, Kory (fiancé Annalisa) Kennedy, and Kelsey Koon; 19 great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Becky Youngs; and special friend, Ruth Kozienski.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband; brothers, William, and Jon Clawson; and son-in-law, Kirk Kennedy.
A funeral service will be held at 2 pm on Monday June 5, 2023, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, with Rev. Fr. Sean Aaron officiating. Burial will follow in Kokomo Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from noon to 2 pm on Monday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kokomo Humane Society. Messages of condolence may be made online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Leo Ross Irving
Leo Ross Irving, 68, Kokomo, passed away Sunday May 28, 2023, at his home. He was born June 24, 1954, in Greencastle, IN, the son of the late Oscar & Rose Marie (Terry) Irving. On October 22, 1972, he married JoAnne Underwood who preceded him in death on September 23, 2015.
Leo was a 1972 graduate of South Putnam High School. He served in the United States Air Force from 1972-1977. Leo went to work for Bryan Steam in 1977, retiring in 2013 after 36 years of service. While at Bryan Steam, he joined the United States Army Reserve in 1978, retiring in 1995 as a Drill Sergeant.
Leo loved to fly and in his younger years owned his own plane. He loved riding his motorcycle, blacksmithing, fishing and anything western (especially John Wayne).
Leo is survived by his children, Ann (Jeff) Eckelbarger and Dave (Raychael) Irving; grandchildren, Katelin (Dalton) Calfee, Emilee Eckelbarger, Miranda Irving, Mikaelyn Irving and David Irving; great-grandchildren, Spencer, Keagan, Kaydence and Isabella.
Leo was preceded in death by his parents; wife, JoAnne Irving; and brother, Douglas Terry Irving.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, June 3, 2023, at Community Church of Mexico Indiana, 4088 N. Carroll Street, Mexico, IN 46958. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10:00 am until time of service on Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Leo’s memory to any Veteran’s organization. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has assisted the family with cremation.
Martin “Marty” S. Young
Martin “Marty” S. Young, 88, of Kokomo, went to be with the Lord on May 17, 2023 at 1:45 PM.
He was born to the late Gilbert Joseph and Goldie Fay (Johnson) Young on August 9th, 1934, in Kokomo, Indiana. On January 3, 1964 he married his sweetheart, Mary A. Young, who passed away on March 30, 2007.
Martin retired from Chrysler. He lived to ride motorcycles and made yearly trips with his wife to Sturgis and Daytona. He enjoyed talking to people from around the world on his ham radio, and he never met a stranger. Martin always found humor in a situation and joked around to put people at ease. He found friendship in his gallivanting companion, Wanda Russell, who passed away in 2019. Above all, he praised the Lord and loved his family more than life itself.
He is survived by his children, Steven Young; Angela (Pablo) Chavez; Joseph Young; and Pearl Layton; grandchildren, Shawna (Brandon) Turner; Kade Young; Courtney (Bobby) Stephen; Cody Widner; Emily, Abby, Hanna and Alivia Layton; great-grandchildren, Braden and Kalyn Turner; Ethan, Sharon and Nolan Young.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Roland Rhea; Paul Helms; John Young; and Andy Young; wife Mary Young; daughters, Joyce (Michael) Everhart and Sharon K. Young.
Sharon Louise Royce
Sharon Louise Royce, 62, of Kokomo Indiana passed away peacefully on May 10, 2023. She was born on February 2, 1961 to Keith and Stella (Polovitch) Henry.
Sharon is survived by her loving husband of 35 years, Phillip Royce. They were married in Kokomo, IN on September 12,1987. She is lovingly remembered by her 3 stepchildren, Chris Royce, Earl Royce, and Shelly (husband Ron) Brown; her siblings Keith (wife Barbara) Henry, David (wife Julia) Henry, and Joyce Hollingsworth (Henry). She is also survived by several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Sharon had a passion for animals and donated to local shelters regularly. She was known for her captivating smile and infectious laugh as well as her helpful nature. She was involved in Girl Scouts for many years. She enjoyed camping and spending time outdoors. She was blessed with the gift of music and played the piano beautifully.
Fond memories of sympathy may be made at www.ellersmortuarymainstreet.com for the family.
Dennis Allen Gunderson Sr.
Dennis Allen Gunderson Sr., age 72, of Kokomo, Indiana passed away on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. He was born on April 21,1951 in Kenosha, Wisconsin to the late Robert Gunderson and Dorothy (Ricker) Fredrick. Dennis married Susan (Schumacher) Gunderson in 1973 in Kenosha, WI, and she survives.
Dennis retired from Chrysler in 2004. He enjoyed watching the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs.
Dennis is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Susan; children, Dennis Gunderson Jr., Craig (Candice) Gunderson, Shawn Gunderson, and Lisa Gunderson; grandchildren, Eric, Elijah, Haven, Cora, Sammi, Marshall, and Rose; and one great-grandchild, "Jazz".
Preceding in death are his parents; stepfather, Al Fredrick; brother, Randy Gunderson.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ellersmortuarymainstreet.com for the Gunderson family.
Paul Edward Deck
Paul Edward Deck, 85, of Kokomo, Indiana passed away on May 8, 2023. He was born on March 31,1938 in Kokomo, Indiana the son of Lawrence John and Nellie Catherine Deck (Bowen). He retired from Steel Parts in Tipton. Paul was an avid golfer, lifetime member of the Eagles, and a member of Legion. He was also a member of Junior Order of United American Mechanics. Most of all he loved spending time with his brothers and sisters.
He is survived by his son, Rick Deck; grandchildren, Miranda, Cainea, Jimmy, Brooklyn, Ellie, Jessica, Trey, Takota, Talan; brothers, Jerry (Betty), Mark (Vicki); sisters, Jackie, The late, Kathy (Bill); several nieces and nephews; half-sisters, Pam, Delva-Jean (Vern), Vickie; half-brother, Billy.
Paul was preceded in death by his mother and father; 4 brothers, Larry, Ronnie, Donnie, David; sister, Suzanne; and several half brothers and sisters; and daughter, Joyce.
Share a memory with the family at www.ellersmortuary.com.
Stella “Pauline” Mace
Stella “Pauline” Mace, 90, of Kokomo, Indiana passed peacefully on Sunday, May 7, 2023 at home surrounded by loved ones. She was born August 18, 1932, to the late Harold and Rettamae Barlow.
On August 23, 1952, in Kempton, Indiana, Pauline married Jimmie Harold Mace. She worked at Roosevelt Elementary School in the library as a young mother. Later in life she was the store manager at Subway Sandwich Shop. She enjoyed playing cards, singing with family, listening to music and devoted her life to her family. In 2015 she became a permanent resident at Wellbrooke of Kokomo, where she fulfilled the remainder of her life. She met many friends along the way and was crowned the first queen at Wellbrooke in 2017.
Pauline is survived by her brother, Richard (Reta) Barlow; sister-in-Law, Nita Young; brother-in-Law, Harry Richter; sister-in-Law, Marge Mace; daughter, Vicky (Mark) Tracey; son, Jeffrey (Belinda) Mace; daughter, Crickett Keller; 7 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren; as well as several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, Pauline is preceded in death by her brother, Jerry Barlow; son-in-law Freeman Wayne Keller; one nephew; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ellersmortuarymainstreet.com for the Mace family.
Contributions in Stella’s memory may be made to Tipton First Church of the Nazarene, 215 E Adams Street, Tipton, IN 46072.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Wellbrooke of Kokomo and Paradigm Hospice for all their loving care and guidance to Stella during the final years/months of her life.