Obituaries, November 2, 2023
Scott Paul Hipsher
Scott Paul Hipsher, 55, of Galveston, passed away Monday, October 30, 2023, at his home. He was born May 14, 1968, in Crawfordsville, Indiana to Paul F. and Barbara J. (Conrad) Hipsher Jr. Scott graduated from Lewis Cass High School in 1986 and began working in construction. His favorite pastime was riding his Harley.
Surviving family include his parents, Paul and Barb Hipsher of Galveston, his children, Jamie and husband Curtis, Colton and Dalton. His grandchildren, Airah, Olivia, Nicole, Nevaeh, Hunter and Jaxon. Also surviving are siblings, Troy and Kari (Tom) and nieces and nephews, Taylor, Trenon, Makenzie, Macee, Mikah, Nevaeh, Dezryn, Trayce and sidekick Leland. Scott is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Paul and Winifred Hipsher and maternal grandparents, Albert and Marguerite Conrad and one grandson, Austin.
No services are scheduled at this time. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to help cover the cost of funeral expenses. No donation is too small, and your support would be greatly appreciated. Or contributions may be given to Shriner's Children's Hospital or St. Jude’s.
William Harold Eads
William Harold Eads, 75, of Kokomo, Indiana passed away in the comfort of his own home and surrounded by his family members on November 1, 2023. He was born on December 26, 1947 in Kokomo, Indiana the son of Robert and (Phifer) Lois Eads. Bill loved fishing, car shows, automotive paint and repair, gathering with family and friends, gardening, and snow blowing. Most of all he loved his dogs. He always enjoyed helping others make home repairs. He had a coin collection that he enjoyed adding to. He was good at everything he did.
Left to cherish his memory are his children, Dawn Horoho, Darrell Dumas, Karrie (Chris) Sullivan, Tonya (Charlie) Bradley; siblings, Rick (Pat) Eads, Fred (Diane) Eads, Cindy (Jerry) Groves, Dick (Kathy) Eads, Robert Eads; grandchidren, Jacob (Mariah) Askren, Chanea Askren, Searra (Dick) Toth, Osha (Drake) Harrison, Starr (Christian Collins) Bradley, Daymon Bradley; great-grandchildren, A'vaeh, A'lilah, Noelah and Lincoln Harrison, Payton and Easton Mills-Askren.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; loving wife of 52 years, Katherine; grandparents, William (Leelah) Eads, Thomas (Maude) Phifer; granddaughter, Sunshine Joy Brown.
Visitation will be from 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Friday, November 3, 2023, at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home. Funeral services will take place at 2:00 PM Friday, November 3, 2023, at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home 2097 West Alto Road Kokomo, Indiana 46902. Share a memory with the family at www.sunsetmemorygarden.com.
Doris L. (Brunk) Countryman
Doris passed peacefully on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at her home with family present. She was born at the family homestead in eastern Howard County on July 14, 1924, to Glen Russell & D. Rosa (Kurtz) Brunk. On September 1, 1946, she married Harold E. Countryman.
Doris graduated from Howard Township High School in 1942. She was the salutatorian & class Secretary-Treasurer. She was enrolled to start college in the fall of 1942, but WWII cancelled her plans. She later attended IUK. From 1942-1946 she worked at Haynes-Stellite. Her career years in the retail industry started in high school with The Carl Ann Shop, and later working for Sears & Wassons. In 1960, she began working at the Kokomo Public Library and was promoted to the position of Community Support Co-ordinator, which she held until retirement in 1985. Shortly after retiring, she helped form the family business, Country Plant & Garden. She was the greenhouse manager for 19 years until the family decided to sell the business. To remain connected with her customers, she assisted with a booth at the Greentown Saturday Farmer’s Market.
As a girl & young wife, she was a member of the Hillsdale EUB church. Later in life, she was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Greentown (now Northview), where she served on the Board of Trustees, the committee for interior décor & responsible for the church’s flower gardens for several years. Doris was a past President of the Kokomo chapter of Altrusa International, a past President of Greentown Area Business Association, served on Main Street of Greentown Association, & served on the Board of City of First Credit Union (FCU). She was also a member of the American Business Women of America (ABWA), The Kokomo Rose Society & the Kokomo Art Association. Doris was a 10 year 4-h member & a junior leader during her youth. She was very passionate about flowers & gardening. She was gifted at crocheting, making several afghans for family & friends. Doris liked working the daily crossword, & sudoku puzzles. She adored her house cats, the latest one being Mindy.
Doris received several awards during her years of exemplary community service, including from Governor Orr, and the Kokomo Kiwanis’ club. She was the Kokomo Public Library 1984 employee of the year. She has given numerous presentations on gardening & related topics.
Survivors include her children, Jack Countryman, Jayne (Stephen) Newton, James (Linda) Countryman; grandchildren, Justin (Janelle) Newton, Jeremy Newton, Conor Countryman, Colton Countryman; great-grandchildren; Christina Newton, Charles Newton; and several nieces and nephews.
Doris was preceded in death by her parents; son, Dan Countryman; ex-husband; brother and sister-in-law, Merrill (May) Brunk; brother-in-law and his wife, Highley (Anne) Countryman; sister-in-law and her husband, Lois (Walter) Casper.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 pm on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at Northview Church, 127 S. Meridian St, Greentown. Friends may visit with the family from 1 pm until the start of the service on Wednesday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Howard County 4-H Club, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Hasler & Stout Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.hasler-stout.com
Donald “Don” James Dresser
Donald “Don” James Dresser, 86, of Kokomo, passed away 11:25 pm Tuesday October 31, 2023, at Community Howard Regional Health in Kokomo. He was born in Bakersfield, California, on May 18, 1937, the son of the late James Timmons and Sophie (Bergman) Dresser. On October 5, 1985, he married Gail Easter in Las Vegas, Nevada, and she survives.
Don was a graduate of Van Nuys High School. He retired from AV Engineering in Lancaster, California, where he worked as a civil engineer. He was a smart man who had an awesome sense of humor. His personality could best be described as a nut and a character. Don was an entrepreneur who was passionate about buying and selling properties. He attended Courtland Avenue Church of Christ in Kokomo. His favorite hobbies were working on ham radios and model trains.
In addition to his wife Gail, Don is survived by his children, Donna (Kirk) Drake, Colleen Ojeda, James (Cassie) Dresser, Brenda Lewis; sister, Marsha Hammond; grandchildren, Hope Drake, Greg Drake, Renee Ojeda, Ryan Ojeda, Ashley Weimer, Kali Dresser-McEwen, Eric Lewis, Peyton Lewis; several great-grandchildren; and niece, Kristie Sheehan.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Sophie Dresser.
In honor of Don’s wishes, no services will be held. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with cremation.
Michael Allen Durbin
Michael Allen Durbin, 54, Kokomo, passed away October 26, 2023, at his home. He was born February 10, 1969, in Springfield, Illinois, the son of the late Harold Laverne & Sharon K. (Edwards) Durbin.
Michael loved to fish and hang out with his friends. He cherished his cats and enjoyed playing video games and going to theme parks where he loved riding roller coasters. Michael would help anyone in need and was always there to lend a hand.
Michael is survived by his sister, Michelle Durbin, along with several extended family members and lots of friends.
Michael was preceded in death by his parents.
In keeping with Michael’s wishes, no services will be held. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with cremation.