Obituaries, October 9, 2023
Daisy M. Strange
Daisy M Strange, age 87, of Ossian, Indiana, formerly of Kokomo, passed away on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at Ossian Health Care. She was born on July 12, 1936 in Morristown, TN to the late Allen and Pearl (Taylor) Campbell. Daisy married Charles E. Strange on July 11, 1953, and he precedes her in death. They were married 47 years.
Daisy worked at Delco Electronics from 1955 until 1987, retiring with 31 years on June 30, 1987. She was a volunteer for the Red Cross from 1987 to 2003 and Community Howard Regional from 2000 until 2010. Daisy was a member of Kokomo Bowling Association for 42 years. She was past member of Courtland Avenue Friends Church. Daisy felt her greatest accomplishment was raising two successful children. It is still up for debate on which one was her favorite. Daisy stayed involved in her children's and grandchildren's lives.
She is survived by her two children, Charlotte (Mike) Mayer, and Edmond L. (Sharon) Strange; former son-in-law, Robert Mayer; and former daughter-in-law, Twila Burdette-Doenges; four grandchildren, Anthony (Becca) Strange, Nathan Strange, Scott Mayer, and Grant Mayer; six great-grandchildren, Jada, Hunter, Cayleb, Kyra, Kayden, and Shayla; sister, Fay (Claude) Christie; and many nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death her loving husband of 47 years; Charles; brothers, Ruble Campbell and Webster Campbell; sisters, Mary Christie, Bessie Wells, and Ann Garrett.
There will be a time of visitation for Daisy on Monday, October 9, 2023, from 11:00 A.M. until the time of service at 12:30 P.M. at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home, 2097 West Alto Road, Kokomo. Entombment will follow at Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.SunsetmemoryGarden.com for the Strange family.
Jose M. Vazquez
Jose M. Vazquez, age 64, of Kokomo, Indiana passed away on Thursday, October 5, 2023. Jose was born in Juncos, Juncos, Puerto Rico.
A visitation for Jose will be held Wednesday, October 11, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM at Family Worship Center, 1149 E. Center Rd., Kokomo, Indiana 46902. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 1:30 PM, 1149 E. Center Rd., Kokomo, Indiana 46902. A burial will occur Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 2:30 PM at Albright Cemetery, 3910 Albright Rd., Kokomo, Indiana 46902.
Jose will be laid to rest in Albright Cemetery, 3910 Albright Rd, Kokomo, Indiana 46902.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ellersmortuarywebster.com for the Vazquez family.
Betsy E. Mitchell
Mitchell, Betsy E., age 82, of Roseville, MN died September 27, 2023. Betsy Elaine Ross was born November 8, 1940, and was raised near Kokomo, IN. While attending Ball State Teachers College in Muncie, IN for her teaching degree in education, English and speech, she met Paul Mitchell who was attending Purdue University.
Together they enjoyed 60 years of togetherness, travel, and adventures. After her teaching for two years, they moved to Minneapolis in 1965 where Betsy was an advocate for her neighbors and her northeast Minneapolis community. She worked as an Executive Secretary at several companies, the longest at a General Electric sales office. As a volunteer she served on the board and as president of Windom Park Citizens in Action, as well as many other community task forces and committees. Her contributions included Central Avenue improvements, the Mississippi riverfront, the local grocery co-op start-up, and many additional endeavors impacting the Windom Park neighborhood of Minneapolis. Betsy worked to engage her fellow community members in city issues and projects, including through the Neighborhood Revitalization Program.
Betsy also became a serious tennis player and then a coach. She and Paul were enthusiastic bicyclists and major fans of the University of Minnesota Gopher women's basketball and the Lynx, making friends every step of the way. She was an avid backyard birdwatcher and a cat-lover. After 35 years living, working and playing in N.E. Minneapolis, the couple retired to Applewood Point, a single-floor Co-op with a view to enjoy a long retirement.
Betsy was preceded in death by her father, U. Blaine Ross, her mother Josephine Faye Ross, and her brother Robert Alan Ross. She is survived by husband Paul; sister-in-law Janelle Miller; nieces Betsy (Gregg) Townsend of Indiana and Roberta (Dusty) Huntley of North Dakota, great nieces Sarah and Stephanie of central Indiana, great nephews Kevin and Kyle of North Dakota, great grand nieces and nephews and many friends. Recently Betsy suffered short-term memory loss, but we will always remember her for her many mentally active years.
A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at Hasler & Stout Funeral Home, 112 E. Main Street, Greentown, with Pastor Gregg Townsend officiating. Burial will take place in Greenlawn Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 10 am to 11 am on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in Betsy’s memory to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Joseph “Joe” Mason Stewart
Joseph “Joe” Mason Stewart, 81, went to be with the Lord at 3:25 p.m. on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at his home in Kokomo, IN. Joe was born August 10, 1942, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Joseph Stewart and Ruth (Wilt). On August 30, 1968, he married Nell (Clark) Stewart in Dumas, TX.
When Joe finished high school, he enlisted with the United States Air Force in 1959 through 1963. He worked as a weatherman in Houston, TX, during his time in the service. He went to West Texas State University and received a bachelor's degree in 1968 and later a master’s degree from West Texas State University in 1976. He worked at Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo, TX, and then was an accountant for Cabot Corporation in Pampa, TX, Reading, PA, Houston, TX, and Kokomo, IN. In 1994 he moved to Bellevue, WA, and worked for Mutual Materials. In 2001 he returned to Kokomo, IN, and worked for Haynes International until he retired in 2006. He was a member of First Congregational Church. He enjoyed woodworking in his garage shop and made many gifts for his family and friends. He was an avid bridge player.
Joe is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Nell, his daughter, Jennifer (Dwayne) Roberts of Amarillo, TX, and his son, Clark (Kimberly Drew) Stewart of Kokomo, IN. He had 9 grandchildren; Josh Roberts (Whitney) of Denver, CO, Zack Roberts (Sarah) of Ocala, FL, Andrew Roberts (Grace Anne) of Houston, TX, and Sarah Marquez (Alex) of Amarillo, TX, Nathan Cox (Megan) of Huntsville, AL, Jay Cox of TN, Tasha Battering (Jacob) of Lafayette, IN, Lexi Ammann (Travis) of Lafayette, IN, Renae Drew of Lafayette, IN. He has more than a dozen great-grandchildren.
A memorial service celebrating Joe’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at First Congregational Church, 505 W. Mulberry St. Kokomo, IN, with Pastor Jon Tice officiating. Services will begin with military honors provided by the United States Air Force and the Kokomo VFW Rites Team. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 5 - 7 p.m. Friday at First Congregational Church. Memorial contributions may be made in Joe’s memory to Guardian Angel Foundation, 513 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo, IN 46902, or First Congregational Church, 505 W. Mulberry, Kokomo, IN 46901. Shirley & Stout Funeral Homes & Crematory assisted the family, and online condolences may be left at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Joe generously donated his body to the Anatomical Education Program at Indiana University School of Medicine. This gift will contribute significantly to the advancement of health science education in the state of Indiana. Those, like Joe and Nell, who decide to bequeath their bodies to the health sciences have made a significant contribution that benefits the quality of life and care for the living.
John L. Helvie
John L. Helvie, age 82, of Kokomo, Indiana passed away on Saturday, October 7, 2023. John was born in Logansport, Indiana.
A time of visitation for John will be held Tuesday, October 17, 2023, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Bible Baptist Church, 2635 S. Dixon Rd., Kokomo, IN 46902. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at 12:00 PM. A committal service will occur Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at 1:30 PM at Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery, 2097 West Alto Road, Kokomo, Indiana 46902.
John will be laid to rest in Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home & Cemetery, 2097 West Alto Road, Kokomo, IN 46902-4839.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.SunsetmemoryGarden.com for the Helvie family.
Edward "Ned" Raymond Avelis
Edward "Ned" Raymond Avelis, 76, of Galveston, Indiana passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. He was born January 15,1947 in Freeport, Illinois to the late John Avelis, Sr. and Helen (Eckerman) Avelis.
He graduated in 1965 from Schulte High School in Terre Haute, IN. He earned letters in football, basketball, track and field. He held the state title for the longest shot-put distance.
Ned attended Casper Community College in Wyoming on a full basketball scholarship and Indiana State University. He married Deborah Stefanatos and together they raised two daughters.
Ned sold potato chips for 25 years having worked for Chesty, Seyferts, and then went on to sell cookies for Keebler for 15 years. He retired in 2011.
He played all types of games. He really enjoyed sporting clays and skeet shooting. He was also a member of the Izaac Walton League and the APA pool league.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years Deborah Avelis; daughters Mary Catherine (Fred Danenfelser) Avelis and Marguerite (Michael) Kissinger both of Kokomo, Indiana; siblings John (Mary Margaret) Avelis, Jr. of Champaign, Illinois, Michael (Victoria) Avelis of Virginia, James (Kim) Avelis of Terre Haute, Indiana, Patrick (Marlene) Avelis of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Terese Avelis of Terre Haute, Indiana; grandson Knight Grayson Avelis Danenfelser; brother-in-laws Joseph Ford and Randy Shaw; as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
In addition to his parents Ned is preceded in death by his two sisters Catherine Ford and Beth Ann Shaw.
There will be a private family service for Ned.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ned's memory may be made to Riley Children's Foundation, PO Box 3356, Indianapolis, Indiana 46206.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ellersmortuarywebster.com for the Avelis family.