Obituaries, June 4, 2024 (2024)

Arthur “Art” Kim Hand

Arthur “Art” Kim Hand, 78 years old, of Kokomo, passed away 6:47 a.m. Thursday, May 23, 2024, at Wesleyan Health and Rehabilitation in Marion, IN. He was born in Indianapolis, IN, on February 23, 1946, the son of the late Arthur and Mary Jane (Lednum) Hand. He was married to the mother of their son, Linda Darlene Hatt, for 29 years.

Arthur was a graduate of Tipton High School. In high school he was a dominant track athlete and held state records in high hurdles. He proudly served our country in the United States Marine Corps and served during the Vietnam War. Arthur was a member of the Kokomo VFW Military Rites Team who assist in honoring former veterans of the United States. After his time in the military, he worked at Delco Electronics after 32 years of service, helping in the boiler room and maintenance. Arthur was a social person who didn’t know a stranger. He liked conversing with people while he volunteered valeting cars at Community Howard Regional Health. His favorite hobbies were bowling, fishing, watching horse races at Hoosier Park, and attending his granddaughter’s softball games.

He is survived by his son, Nick (Trisha) Hand; granddaughter, Gwendelyn Hand; mother of their son, Linda Darlene Hand; cousins, Chris Schroeder, Dan Shaw; and family that he claimed “like sisters,” Debbie Eaton, Donna Medina.

He was preceded in death by his parents; twin daughter to Nick, Heidi Jo Hand; special aunt and uncle, John and Frances Shaw; special sister, Diana Hatt; and cousin, Suzanne Letsinger.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at Crown Point Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by the United States Marines and Kokomo VFW. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.

Betty June Cowgill

WWII Veteran, Betty June Cowgill passed away on May 31, 2024, at the age of 102. She was born October 7, 1921, to the late Leo and Cecil (Mills) Stephens. Betty was raised on a farm in Tipton County with a brother, Junior Stephens, deceased, and a sister, Marjorie Stephens, deceased. Her young sister, Gloria Mae, was stillborn. Betty attended Kempton High School and graduated with the class of 1940.

On June 26, 1943, Betty enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard SPARS until the duration of WWII December 14, 1945. She was stationed at Biloxi, MS, as Store Keeper 2/c, receiving her honorable discharge from the SPARS. She then completed her business education in Kokomo, Indiana, which she began while in the service.

Betty married Orla (Jerry) Charles Cowgill on December 8, 1948. Jerry was a widower with three daughters: Sharon 8, Clare Adele 6 and Barbara 3 years old. On May 31, 1950, Betty and Jerry welcomed a daughter, Betty Darlene. Betty spent her time raising her four daughters with school events, 4-H, sewing, gardening and church work. Betty and Jerry were sponsors for their church's youth group for a few years. Betty also taught Sunday school and worked with the Lutheran Church Ladies. She had an unshakable faith. She also retired from Sears in 1988 after 30 years of employment.

Betty lost her husband, Jerry, in 1978, her oldest daughter, Sharon Fleissner, in 1979, and her biological daughter, Betty Darlene Foshee, in 2008. She then took up sewing for other people and quilting. Each grandchild and eight great-grandchildren received a quilt from her. She also made 250 lap quilts for people in a nursing home in Kokomo. She made items in memory of her loved ones for "We Care" at Christmas time for their auction. When moving to an assisted living facility she gave her doll collection to "We Care."

In 2016 at the age of 94, Betty went on the Honor Flight out of Indianapolis. Each year she attended their annual get-together until they had to shut down because of Covid.

Betty's 100th birthday was celebrated on October 9, 2021, at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Kokomo. She had been a member of the church since 1948. Betty was given a plaque honoring her service from Captain Amy M. Beach who served during that time as a Commander, Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley in Louisville, Kentucky.

Being a WWII veteran in the U.S. Coast Guard she later received an invitation to the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard's Change of Command Retirement Ceremony on June 1, 2022, in Washington D.C. Because of health reasons she was not able to attend.

Betty Cowgill is survived by her two daughters, Clare Adele (Lee) Coy and Barbara (Otis) Porter; grandchildren, Dean Coy, Kimberly Coy, Tawahna (John) Voils, Michael Bridegroom, Christina (Jim) Moore, Jennifer (Brian) Beaver, Steve (Jennifer) Cowgill. Two grandchildren died shortly after birth, Jana Lee Coy and Keith Collin Coy. There are two step-grandchildren, Donna Folsom and Tony Porter and one deceased. She also has seven surviving great-grandchildren and two deceased, plus 4 surviving step-great-grandchildren and two deceased. Betty is also survived by several great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will take place at Ellers Mortuary & Cremation Center, 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo on Friday, June 7, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will take place at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, 705 E. Southway Blvd, Kokomo, on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Redeemer Lutheran School or the charity of your choice. Entombment will follow at Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery Kokomo, Indiana. Share a memory with the family at www.ellersmortuary.com.

Gary Paul Givens

Gary Paul Givens, 76 years old, of Kokomo, passed away Friday May 31, 2024, at his home. He was born in Indianapolis, IN, on August 6, 1947, the son of the late Paul and Marie (Akers) Givens. On August 29, 1992, he married Corinne McMunn, and she survives.

Gary was a graduate of Northwestern High School. He served for 31 years at Chrysler Corporation and retired as an inspector in the die casting plant. Gary was an eccentric man with an amazing sense of humor. He was a conversationalist and he delighted in getting to know people. He was so eager to learn. He remained a student of various subjects his entire life. His favorite hobbies were fishing, collecting coins, and playing cards. He will be remembered for always knowing how to make somebody laugh or smile.

In addition to his wife Corinne, he is survived by his daughters, Elizabeth (Joseph) Douglass, Carol (Brian) Hull; stepdaughter, Diana (McKay) Featherstone; grandchildren, Kyle Douglass, Clayton Douglass, Margaret (Jonathan) Ortiz, Jahred Hull, Mary Katherine Hull, Isaiah Hull; step grandchildren, Davis Featherstone, Madison Featherstone.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a son, Paul Givens.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at St. Andrew Episcopal Church, 602 West Superior Street, Kokomo, IN. A Requiem Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at the church with Rev. Fr. Richard Lightsey officiating. A reception will be held in the Fellowship Hall following Mass. Contributions may be made in Gary’s memory to Kokomo Urban Outreach. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.

Debra (Debbie) June McDorman (Newell)

Debra (Debbie) June McDorman (Newell), age 73, of Kokomo, IN, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at 7:03 AM in her own home. She was born April 7, 1951, to the late Donnell and Margaret Newell. A very special thank you to Angie Burress (niece) for making all the arrangements needed for a quick and smooth transition to hospice in her home.

She wore many hats and enjoyed everything she did. She had high aspirations as a young adult to attend beauty school to become a beautician. She did exactly that and worked in the field for many years. Following that time, she had many roles in the community as a seamstress for the Factory Connection, housekeeping for the Kokomo Sports Center, Macy’s, and Lazarus. But she spent the largest portion of her time running and supporting her husband's business, McDorman’s Concrete Construction. Debra was a very talented seamstress where she loved and enjoyed expressing herself through her many talents of crafting, altering, and embroidering many items for herself and for others. She had a passion for her family and spent as much time as she could with them. You could find her most Sundays after church during the summer hosting cookouts at her home. She also loved family vacations with a few of her favorite destinations being St. Joseph, Michigan, and Cedar Point. During basketball season, she could be found weekly supporting the Kokomo Wildkats on the sidelines and watching the Indiana Pacers.

Debra was a devout Christian and loved the Lord with all her heart. She was an active member of Valley Fellowship Church (Walton, IN) and attended every Sunday with her husband, daughter, and grandson. Debra, Gregory, and Levi all made the important decision to openly confess Jesus Christ is Lord and to be baptized together on June 4, 2023. Over the last few years, she and her husband were committed to studying the Bible every night.

Debra is survived by her husband of 52 years, Gregory Allen McDorman; her daughter; Jennifer Marie Adams; her siblings Bud Newell (Nancy), Larry Newell (Marilyn), Ron Newell and Kathy Burress (Dave); her grandson Levi Joseph Adams; as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Donnell and Margaret Newell, Debra was preceded in death by her sister-in-law Louise Newell.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, June 30, at 12:00 PM, located at Valley Fellowship Church, 8892 E CR 500 S., Walton, Indiana 46994. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Debra’s memory may be sent to her home church, Valley Fellowship Church.

Robin Lee Roberts

Robin Lee Roberts, 60, of Darlington, Indiana, passed away on Friday, May 31, 2024. She was born May 4, 1964, in Kokomo, Indiana, to the late Darwin and Jill Wilkinson.

Robin enjoyed watching TV, especially “Reba,” “Mom,” and “The Neighborhood.” She loved to be outside, whether it was to sit in the sun or have a cookout. She was a big fan of food. She enjoyed traveling to different destinations. Above all, Robin loved her children, her grandchildren, and her pets.

She is survived by her three children Joseph Roberts, Joshua Roberts, and Jilyne Lee, and her grandchildren; Kiyalyne Roberts, Addyson Roberts, Logan Roberts, Joselynn Roberts, and JJ Roberts.

In addition to her parents Robin is preceded in death by her brother Paul Wilkinson.

A graveside service will take place at a later date.

Marta Cecelia Rose (Tucker) Thrasher

Marta Cecelia Rose (Tucker) Thrasher, 85, of Kokomo, passed away at 2:11 a.m. on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Brickyard of Kokomo. She was born in Kokomo on May 20, 1939, the daughter of the late Raymond and Mildia (Snider) Tucker. On December 10, 1960, she married James Thrasher who preceded her in death on September 13, 2022.

Marta graduated from Eastern High School in 1957. She was homecoming queen her senior year. Marta worked most of her life in retail while working in layaway at JC Penny. She was known for her beautiful, wrapped presents. They were known as presents you didn’t want to open. Marta was the owner of Junior Junction for several years as well as Our Friend’s Closet.

Marta is survived by her children, Michael James Thrasher, of Kokomo, Christie (Jeff) Thrasher-Rudd, of Indianapolis, and Tara Burkley, of Boulder, Colorado; grandchildren, Charlie Rudd, Mason Rudd, Samuel Rudd, Celia Burkley and Emmie Burkley; and sister, Trela (John) Hart.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, Danny Ray Tucker.

In honor of Marta’s wishes, there will be no public services held. Arrangements have been entrusted to Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.