Steven Kent Bugher
Steven Kent Bugher, 72, of Kokomo, Indiana passed away on March 13, 2024. Steve was born in Kokomo on November 10, 1951, to the late Paul and Phyllis (Ward) Bugher. On July 23, 1976, he married Kay (Donahue) Bugher.
As a young man, Steve served in the Army before working at Cuneo Press, Miller’s Steel, and Chrysler. He was a truck driver for Harold Collins and Keith Sterns before starting his last job at Milbank Manufacturing. He was the first one in the parking lot in the morning, drinking a thermos of coffee and chatting with everyone before starting his day. Known as Sparky, Steve spent 28 years there before they closed their doors. He was also a WT2 and DSS water operator for Deer Creek Estates Home Water Corporation for over 21 years.
Steve grew up on the north end of Kokomo where he was a friend and mechanic to many. His friends knew they could count on him for a story, laugh, and cup of coffee. Steve was often found in his garage with a pot of coffee on the wood burning stove. He enjoyed working on cars—one year flipping over 100 vehicles. His skills led him to be the race car mechanic for his friend, Thurman Wines.
Besides working on cars, Steve loved fishing. He spent time at Oscar’s Pit, the Kokomo Reservoir, and Spring Hill Campground where he also spent time camping. He caught catfish with his wife’s special catfish bait recipe. The weight of the fish in his stories grew and grew, but his family will be left with the memory of “Charlie”—the 40-pound catfish he actually caught. Steve taught his kids, grandkids, nieces, and nephews how to fish and loved collecting fishing poles.
Steve loved his community. He watched the We Care telethon and visited We Care Park and the Greentown Fair every year. He loved rummaging. He played harmonica, sang, and danced to entertain his family. He learned how to garden from his grandma, dad, and father-in-law and passed his masterful skills down to his kids and grandkids who he loved above all else.
He adored his grandkids—taking them on rides at Indiana Beach; teaching them to play horseshoes and tell stories; riding around with them on the mower and whatever other yard toy he found; and taking care of pets like his beloved Rottweiler, Baby Girl.
Steve is survived by his wife, Kay; children, Martha (and Mike) Warner and Kent Bugher, Jr.; grandkids, Coy, Dru, Mae, and Wyatt Brandon and Sheyanne Phillips; and sisters, Shirley Bugher, Myra and Brenda Wilson.
He was proceeded in death by his parents, Paul and Phyllis Bugher; sisters, Pam Bugher, Charlena Kitts, and Tina Watterson.
Visitation with the family will be from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm on March 17, 2024, at Eller’s Mortuary, located at 725 S. Main Street, Kokomo, IN 46901 with funeral service following immediately. His daughter, Martha will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the Kokomo Humane Society or We Care.
Rebecca “Becky” Sharon Hoover
Rebecca “Becky” Sharon Hoover (née Snively maiden name Merrill), passed away March 15, 2024, surrounded by loving family. She was born at home in Galveston, IN on March 7, 1934, and was the last surviving of 16 children born to Charles Everett Merrill and Cora Bell (Miller) Merrill. Known to all as “Becky,” she will be remembered most for her unconditional love of family. Her home was always well-known as warmly open to friends, relatives, and the classmates of their many children. This gave rise to their “family saying – we may not have it all together but together we have it all”.
Preceded in death after 50 years of marriage to the love of her life, Billy S. Hoover (“Bill” was a distinguished 30-year career Army veteran decorated for service in WWII and Korea). Previously, Becky was widowed in 1963 by Howard W. Snively of Logansport, IN., also a WWII veteran.
As a young widow and woman, she supported her family by working 30 years at Delco Electronics in Kokomo, a city where she relocated after marriage to her beloved Bill. Together, they raised their family and traveled extensively across the world including, Central American, Asia and Europe. Her favorite places included Iceland, Canada, Spain and Hawaii. She loved playing bridge with Bill and many friends, accumulating many “master points”. In earlier times they loved to dress up and go out dancing to Big Band music. Becky was a talented musician, casino aficionado and remained very tech-savvy until her death so that she could regularly connect electronically with her children and grandchildren despite the distance. Her sharp intellect, tough character formed by being the 11th of 16 siblings raised during the depression years and hardship from experiencing multiple wars made Becky into a formidable woman. She called this “getting her Merrill up”.
Together, Becky and Bill raised their blended family of Shirley (David) Brewster, Sharron (Michael) Logan, Gracia (Steve) Taylor, David (Diane) Snively, Richard “Cash” (Liz Smith-Snively) Snively, Tom (Eileen) Hoover, Dee Ann Snively-Ferguson (Kent).
She is survived by 9 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, 6 step-grandchildren, and 8 step-great grandchildren located throughout the United States.
Becky was preceded in death by all her siblings; Delilah, George, Leota, Francis, Phoebe, John, Gertrude, Wanita, Bonnie, Joretta, Shannon, Harold, Frank, Robert and Joy; two sons-in-law, Michael Logan and David Brewster; daughter-in-law, Eileen Hoover; and grandchild, Molly Hoover.
Special thanks to her niece, Theresa Hollingsworth, neighbor, Rita Martin, granddaughter, Amy Netherton, and Angie, Terri, Maddy from Guardian Angel and Lisa and Cathy who aided in making her final years more comfortable following Bill’s death. Becky will be greatly missed by her Tuesday bridge partners at Kokomo Senior Center, her special Thursday group, as well as by her family and community of friends.
A memorial service will take place at 2 pm on Sunday March 17, 2024, Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 W Lincoln Road, Kokomo, with Steve Taylor officiating. Burial will take place in Galveston Cemetery at a later date. Friends may visit with the family from 12 pm to 2 pm on Sunday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Valley of Grace, www.valleyofgrace.life, in Becky’s memory. Messages of condolence may be made online at www.shirleyandstout.com.