Obituaries, March 15, 2023

Written on 03/15/2023
Patrick Munsey


James D. Shelly

James D. Shelly, 60, Kokomo, passed away at 2:05 pm on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at his home.  He was born on September 5, 1962, to the late James T. and Julia Mae (Rayl) Shelly. On August 27, 1989, he married Deloris Dodd, and she survives.

James was a self-employed dry wall finisher for the last fifteen years.  He was a State Champion archer and Regional Champion pool player.  James enjoyed hunting, fishing, and was a good man, who would give you the shirt off of his back. 

Along with his wife Deloris, James is survived by his sons, Jesse (Micah) Dodd, and Kevin (Cassandra) Shelly; grandchildren, Ashlyn Dodd, Malachi Shelly, Connor Shelly, and Declan Shelly; and sister, Cheryl Eaker.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A funeral service will be held at 12 pm Thursday, March 16, 2023, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home-Jefferson St. Chapel, 414 W. Jefferson St., Kokomo, with Pastor Tim Winton officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 10 am until the start of the service Thursday at the funeral home. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.



Michael Lee Ogle

Michael Lee Ogle, 79, of Forest, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on March 13, 2023. He was born in Linton, Greene County, Indiana on May 6, 1943, to the late Theodore Nye and Ellen Mae (Ralph) Ogle. In 1962 at Westpoint Christian Church, he married his childhood sweetheart and love of his life, Elinor Maxine McQuinn. On January 25 this year, Mike and Maxine celebrated 61 years together, and she survives.

Mike graduated from Clinton Central High School in 1961 after attending Forest High School for two years prior to consolidation. He attended Purdue University to study engineering. Mike worked at Chrysler, first as a tool and die maker for a year, then as a manufacturing engineer.  Upon retirement after 30 years from Chrysler in 1993, he created the Ogle Corporation to contract with IPG selling industrial lasers for another 25 years, retiring again in 2018.  He became an expert in his field, giving presentations all over the United States and abroad in Scotland and England, including at the University of Cambridge.

Mike was an active member of the Forest United Methodist Church for over 70 years.  He was a Sunday School teacher, in the church choir, and held several leadership roles. He was on the Clinton Central School Board and served as President for two years. He sat on the Michigantown Library Board.  He was a member of the John Purdue Club and UAW. He co-founded the Forest Travel League and coordinated many years of golf trips. Mike was able to travel to Kenya to visit his brother Teddy who lived there for over 40 years. Mike enjoyed traveling to Warsaw for Tiger basketball games. He was a loyal Purdue fan and made three trips to California to visit John Wooden at his home.

Mike was a loving, patient, always present husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed surprising Maxine, especially for her birthday, and planned many parties for her. Mike had a quick wit, and was known for his dry sense of humor, always making puns whenever he could. He was an avid reader and always early to adopt new technology. Scrabble and Euchre were his favorite games and were played at most family gatherings. He worked on various construction projects with his family and made several woodworking gifts for his grandchildren. 

Along with his wife, Maxine, Michael is also survived by his children, Doug (Melissa) Ogle, Neal (Laurie) Ogle, and Andrea (Brett) Shepard; grandchildren, Courtney (Will) Thrasher, Cendall (Seth) Murphy, Creigh (Eli) Graham, Emily (Andrew) Ricketts, Eric Ogle, Mark (Raven) Ogle, Daniel (Grace) Ogle, Zachery (Corie) Shepard, Alexanna Shepard, and Ian Shepard; great-grandchildren, Walker and Anniston Thrasher, Guy Murphy, Penn and Pruitt Graham, Mackensie Dockins, Keegan, Adalena and Owen Ricketts, Emerson, Isla, Indy and Taysum Ogle, and Max and Maverick Shepard; sister, Jo Ellen Ogle; and sisters-in-laws Carol Dull, Joy Ann McQuinn and Martha Ogle. He has many nieces and nephews with special support given to him by nieces, Jane Mohler and Robin Williams and long-time friends of 60 years, Mike and Sandy Hawn.

He is preceded in death by his siblings, Theodore “Teddy” Ogle and Phyllis Ogle Williams.

Friends may visit with the family from 3 pm to 7 pm on Friday, March 17, 2023, at Stout & Son Funeral Home, 200 E. Main Street Russiaville, Indiana.  Funeral services will take place at 11 am on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at the funeral home, with Forest United Methodist Church Pastor Bob Raschka and the Reverend Dr. James Witty, officiating, with 1 hour of visitation prior to service. Burial will follow in St. Paul Cemetery, Russiaville, Indiana.   Memorial donations may be made to Forest United Methodist Church. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.stoutandson.com.



George Waite Shifflett

George Waite Shifflett, age 89, of Kokomo, Indiana passed away after a brief illness, on Monday, March 13, 2023. He was born to Charles and Primrose Shifflett in Mt. Sidney, Virginia on October 19, 1933. Upon graduating high school, he enlisted in the US Navy and served honorably for 10 years. George married the love of his life, Evelyn F. Blazor on November 28,1956. They had 3 children, Wanda Hunt, Kathy (Phil) Reel and Kenny Shifflett. They were married for 66 years.

After serving in the US Navy, they moved to Muncie, Indiana where George worked as a typewriter repairman. Then they moved to Greentown, Indiana, where he began his 30 year career with Chrysler, where he was a jack of all trades. He enjoyed camping and being with his family and friends. In his younger years, he loved to travel with Evelyn on his motorcycles. He loved watching sports and was an avid IU and Colts fan. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, and also as "a gentle giant".

George is survived by his wife of 66 years, Evelyn; daughters, Wanda and Kathy; grandchildren, Ryan (Megan) Reel, Randy (Annita) Reel, Dustan (Julie) Hunt, Kaleigh Hunt, and Eli Shifflett; great-grandchildren, Brandon, Kaiden, Jackson, Madelyn, Owen, Kenny and Olivia.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Raymond Shifflett; sister, Anne Hedrick; and son, Kenny Shifflett.

There will be a time of visitation Saturday, March 18, from 10:30am-12:30pm, with a funeral service beginning at 12:30pm. Burial will immediately follow the service at Grant Memorial Park in Marion, Indiana.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ellersmortuarywebster.com for the Shifflett family.



Rick Kerr,

Rick Kerr, 67, passed away at his home on March 12, 2023, following a brief illness. He was born on March 18, 1955, in Tipton, Indiana to the late Earline (Dyer) and Printes Kerr.

Surviving in addition to his wife Brenda Davis Kerr are his children Adam, his wife Chelsea, of New Port Richey, Florida; his daughter Ashley Rodgers, her husband Deryck, of Bowling Green, Kentucky. Two grandchildren, Jackson, and Grayson Rodgers. A brother, Gary Kerr, of Bowling Green, Kentucky. An uncle, Roy Dyer, Jr.; an aunt, Nina Harper; and his dear friend, Jeff Phillips.

He was a member of the Courtland Avenue Church of Christ.

Rick retired from GM after 30 years. He was a school bus driver for Northwestern Schools and enjoyed working at Sunspot Natural Market for several years.

Rick was an avid runner and triathlete. A member of the Kokomo Road Runners for more than 30 years, Rick logged his 10,000th consecutive day of running in December.

Funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm Saturday, March 18, 2023, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo, with Pastors Kevin Kay and Josh Welch officiating.  Friends are invited to visit with the family from Noon until time of service on Saturday at the funeral home.  Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com



Daisy Emma Eberwein

Daisy Emma Eberwein, 74, of Winamac, passed away 9:53 pm Thursday March 9, 2023, at Brickyard Healthcare Sycamore Village Care Center. She was born in Puluski County, IN, on February 20, 1949, the daughter of the late Lester Eugene and Viola (Hunter) Button.

Daisy graduated from Winnamac High School. She was a loving, caring, and Christian woman. She was known for being very friendly and helpful because she would help anyone in need. She was a homemaker and raised her three sons. Daisy’s favorite hobbies were riding her Harley, shooting guns, and collecting clothes, shoes, and jewelry.

Daisy is survived by her sons, Tom Ortman Sr., Travis Ortman, Troy Ortman; grandchildren, Tom Ortman Jr., Trent Ortman, Adam Ortman, Bryant Ortman, Taylor Ortman; and sister, Vicky Mayer.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and siblings, Donna Button, Bob Button, Tom Button, and Carolyn Eskridge.

In honor of Daisy’s wishes, there are no public services scheduled. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with cremation. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.



Lucille Roller

Lucille Roller, 85, Kokomo, was taken to her heavenly home on March 8, 2023.  She was the daughter of Alvin and Edith (Royal) Gibson, born December 17, 1937, in Vincennes, IN.  She was married 53 years to Jim Roller before his death in 2020.  They had a full life which included golfing, motorcycle trips and showing their Corvettes at car shows.

She retired from Delco, later working at the Courtyard in Kokomo  She loved Jesus and was baptized at Abundant Life Church by Pastor Caylob Baldwin.  Lucy also loved winning at Rumikub.

She is survived by her sisters, Lois Bertram (Charles) and Shirley Brantley (Roger).  She also had six nieces and two nephews, Clara Tanner, Kathy Ryan, Ellen Gibson, Teresa Gibson, Tracey Conyers, Tammy Droscha, Brian Frazier and Wayne Bertram.  She also enjoyed several great nieces and nephews.  Left behind also was her little Shih Tzu, Buffie and her special friend Debbie Fisher, who was like a sister.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jim; a sister, four brothers, three nieces and four nephews.

In keeping with Lucy’s wishes, no services are planned at this time.  Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with cremation.