Obituaries, October 27, 2023
Lanny Jay Beach
Lanny Jay Beach, 82, Kokomo, passed from this life to his eternal home on October 21, 2023.
He was born on November 10, 1940, in Tipton County, Indiana, to Fred L. and Katherine (Baker) Beach. His first six years were spent on a farm near Hobbs, Indiana, before moving to Tipton where he graduated from Tipton High School in 1958. While at Tipton High School, he played on the basketball, football, and golf teams.
He graduated from Indiana University in 1962 where he majored in accounting. At I.U. he was a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity, served on the I.U. Foundation, rode in the Little 500 Bicycle Race in 1961, and participated in ROTC for four years. He was named I.U. Distinguished Military Student in 1962.
Upon graduation, Lanny was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, Infantry Division assigned to the “Big Red 1” unit in Fort Riley, Kansas. From there, he completed “jump school” at Fort Benning, Georgia, becoming a paratrooper and in December 1962, was sent overseas, and stationed in Bamberg, Germany. He served honorably during the Cold War/Vietnam era as a First Lieutenant Airborne Officer in the 54th Infantry through 1965. He married his college sweetheart from I.U., Carolyn Danner of Vevay, Indiana on June 9th, 1963, and they lived in Germany together until he left the Army in 1965. Upon their return to the United States, Lanny attended Indiana University School of Law before joining the accounting firm, Price Waterhouse.
In 1967, he joined the Union Bank in Kokomo, where he served as Auditor, Controller, Executive Vice President, and Director through the transition of Ameritrust and Society Banks. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin Graduate School of Banking and the University of Oklahoma National Commercial Lending School.
In 1992, Lanny and his wife opened Destinations Travel, Inc. Their previous travels made this a wonderful business opportunity for them, and they took groups throughout the world. They traveled to all 50 states and 70 different countries.
He was a member of Kokomo First Presbyterian Church, PCUSA for 40 years where he served as Deacon. In 2011, he became a member of Shiloh United Methodist Church of Kokomo where he served on the Shiloh Church Council.
He served as President of Kokomo Country Club; United Way Board of Directors, Treasurer, and Division Fund Drive Chairman; Kokomo Development Corporation Board of Directors and Treasurer; Mayor’s Advisory Committee; Indiana Banker’s Association Board of Directors and Region III President; St. Joseph Hospital Foundation Board President; Charter Member of Kokomo’s National Association of Accountants; Kokomo Foundation’s Board of Directors for Indiana University; Partner’s in Education charter member; Key Program for Gifted Children Advisory Board; Kokomo Excellence in Education with Parents as Partners, President and Founder; Elks; and Kokomo Y’s Men.
Golf was a sport he loved and he made three “hole-in-ones” at the Kokomo Country Club.
Lanny was a loving husband as well as a devoted father and grandfather. The joys of his life were his daughters and grandchildren, and he was happiest when surrounded by his family.
Lanny is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Carolyn Danner Beach; his daughters, Catherine (Michael) Strawn of Carmel, Indiana, and Shanda Beach of Newport Coast, California; his grandsons, Christopher, Joshua, and Austin Strawn; his granddaughter Katherine Dessel; his brother Larry Beach of Winamac, Indiana; his brother-in-law and wife Michael (Anita) Danner of Vevay, Indiana and many nieces and nephews.
His parents, Fred and Katherine Beach and sister-in-law, Sharolyn Beach preceded him in death.
Lanny’s most endearing trait was his love of people and willingness to help. Our family has incredible joy with our memories that will live in our hearts forever.
The family would like to thank the staff of Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Kokomo and Indianapolis, Wellbrooke of Kokomo, the staff and caregivers from Comfort Keepers of Kokomo, and Lisa Custer for the kind and loving care of Lanny.
Friends may visit with the family from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at Shiloh United Methodist Church, 5741 West 100 North, Kokomo, Indiana. A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 2:00 pm, with Pastor Joe Johnson officiating, and military honors will be provided by the Greentown American Legion. Burial will follow at Albright Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Lanny’s memory to Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131 (Parkinson.org) or to Shiloh United Methodist Church, 5741 West 100 North, Kokomo, IN 46901.
Messages of condolences may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com
James "Timmy" Timothy Wise
James "Timmy" Timothy Wise, age 58, of Kokomo, Indiana passed away on Sunday, October 22, 2023. He was born to James Wise and Sue (Richards) Blackwell on September 10, 1965 in Muncie, Indiana, where he attended school. He worked in the Oil industry as a machine operated pipeliner for many years. As a pipeliner, he was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers and Teamsters Local 135. He enjoyed deep sea fishing and going antiquing.
James is survived by his mother, Sue Blackwell; sisters, Cynthia Lewman and Jeannie Rouse; as well as many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and special life-long friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, James; his daughter, Ashley Cooper; maternal grandparents, Albert and Bessie Richards; paternal grandparents, John and Ethel Wise; and stepfather (and friend) Donald Blackwell.
Services are to be determined and will be posted when confirmed.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ellersmortuarywebster.com for the Wise family.
Terry W. Rush
Terry W. Rush, 67, of Kokomo, passed away on Sunday October 22, 2023, at his home after a short battle with cancer. He was born on July 11, 1956, in Arkansas, the son of Garland T. Rush and Lois N. (Bradley) Hendrick. On September 18, 2023, he married the love of his life Susan G. (Sanders) Bartrum, and she survives.
Terry graduated from Kokomo High School in 1974 then attended Ivy Tech Community College. He retired from Chrysler Kokomo Casting Plant after 30 years. Terry enjoyed golfing, being outdoors, gardening, and his true passion motorcycles, riding them, looking at them and building them. He was a member of the Russiaville Masonic Lodge.
Survivors include his wife, Susan Bartrum; father, Garland Rush; children, Betsy Phelps and Jason (Michelle) Rush; grandchildren, Isabelle Rush, Jaxin Phelps, and Ezra Phelps; siblings, Steve Rush and Mary Ann Rush; nephews, Mike (Thy) Rush and Joel Rush; great niece and nephews, Kaden Rush, Christian Rush, and Logan Rush.
Terry was preceded in death by his mother, Lois Hendricks; stepmother, Wanda Rush; and brother, Allen Rush.
In keeping with Terry’s wishes no public services will be held. Contributions may be made in Terry’s memory to Kokomo Humane Society. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with cremation. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.Shirleyandstout.com.