Charlene O'Neal Honchell
Charlene O'Neal Honchell, 81, of Georgetown, SC, passed away peacefully at home the afternoon of Wednesday, October 3, 2024, following a long illness. Charlene was born August 19, 1943, in Glasgow, Kentucky, and lived with her husband of 52 years, Arthur L Honchell, in Indiana, Alabama, Nevada, Colorado, and most recently in South Carolina.
Charlene was the daughter of the late Rudolph (Doc) O’Neal (52) and Lucille Ausbrooks (48).
Charlene inspired others with her positive outlook in happy anticipation of heaven. She was witty and loved to laugh. She would light up a room with her smile and her beautiful baby blue eyes. She was selfless until her last breath and always thought of everyone before herself. Her grace, strength, love, fight, and her presence captivated the hearts of all those around her.
Prior to her failing health, Charlene enjoyed traveling, fishing, reading, and being with her family. During these later years of her illness, Charlene enjoyed watching the news, TV series, movies, having Sunday dinners, and playing Farkle. She and her husband, Arthur, faithfully watched and supported their “home” church, Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, each Sunday. More than anything she loved her family, grandbabies, and fur babies (Princess, Hannah, and Annie).
She is predeceased by her parents, her daughter, Angel Kelley Salinas (49), a grandson, Jerry Lawrence II (24), and a granddaughter, Cenica Blair Salinas (22).
Charlene is survived by husband Arthur L Honchell (89). Natural children: Christopher Tiller, Tracie (Steve) Rolan. Children by marriage: Arthur (Nancy) Honchell Jr, Teresa (Ron) Friend, Lesia (Jerry) Lawrence, and Mark Honchell. Natural grandchildren: Ashleigh (Jeremy) Moon, Bianca Tiller; Chadrick Salinas; Chase (Shelby) Miller, Micaiah (Tyler) Lee; Kayla (Riley) Peters, Joshua (Sara) Rolan. Grandchildren by marriage: Tanya Honchell, Jason Honchell, James Honchell, Coty Honchell; Larry (Marisol) Shupperd; Cheri (Scott) Leffler; Clifton Honchell, Rayna (Joe) Bear. Natural great-grandchildren: Elijah Moon (23), Ethan Moon (22), Caleb Moon (20), Mica Moon (19); Haley Salinas (22), Hayden Salinas (13), Owen Salinas (11); August Salinas (14); Owen Lee (5 weeks); Lexi Peters (4), Lyla Peters (1 1/2); Oliver Rolan (1). Great-grandchildren by marriage: Justina Shupperd (27), Wyatt Shupperd (24); Schylar Leffler (23), Taylor Leffler (20).
Charlene was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by her family and little fur baby Annie. The only source of peace is knowing that she is no longer in pain, and she is walking the streets of gold in Heaven worshipping Jesus. Her love, devotion, and commitment to her family and to the Lord will forever be remembered.
At Charlene’s request, the ashes of her daughter Angel Kelley and the ashes of her fur babies Princess and Hannah are resting with her in her mausoleum.
The family could not be more grateful for the love, care, and assistance from Mandy Miller Blake, Charlene’s in-home nurse for the last two months of her life.
A special thank you to Chase Ridgeway and staff of Ridgeway Funeral Home for all they did to help prepare Charlene for her next journey.
Private viewing will be held Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Ridgeway Funeral Home, 2918 Highmarket St., Georgetown, SC 29440. A private viewing will take place at her final resting place on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home & Cemetery, 2097 W. Alto Rd., Kokomo, IN 46902.
John Thomas Watkins Jr.
John Thomas Watkins Jr. “Bubba”, 70 years old, of Kokomo, IN, passed away 6:30 a.m. Thursday October 3, 2024, at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Kokomo. He was born in Clarksville, TN, on February 2, 1954, the son of the late John Thomas Watkins Sr. and Cora Bell (Ligon) Watkins. He was married to Bertha May Johnson, and she preceded him in death on March 10, 2001.
Bubba was a 1974 graduate of Kokomo High School. He retired from Delco Electronics after 30 years in production. He formerly attended Mt. Pisgah Church when he was younger and was a Jehovah’s Witness. He was a member of the Mason Lodge. He was a reserved man that kept to himself, but he enjoyed learning new things. Bubba enjoyed listening to music, watching TV, drawing, fishing, horse racing, and sketching. His favorite trips were to casinos and playing Bingo every now and then.
He is survived by his siblings, William Garret, Curtis Garret Jr., James Garrett, Henry Garrett, Sally Watkins, Martha Watkins, and Amanda Watkins-Cannon; special friend, Gina Cottingham; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, Donnie Ray Watkins, George Garrett, Kevin Eugene Watkins, and Harold Watkins.
Friends are invited to visit with the family from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday, October 11, 2024, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 West Lincoln Road, Kokomo, IN 46902. Funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home with Naomi Gardner leading the service. Burial will follow in Sunset Memory Gardens.
Martha “Marty” Jane Meck
Martha “Marty” Jane Meck, 90, of Kokomo, peacefully entered heaven on Friday, October 4, 2024, at 5:10 a.m. at Primrose Retirement Community. She was born in Richmond on July 16, 1934, to Howard Theodore and Dorothy (Lee) Sedgwick. Marty married James E. Meck Jr. on June 18, 1955, at First Congregational Church in Hagerstown, and they shared over 69 years of marriage.
Marty lived a life filled with love, accomplishment, and adventure. She graduated from Hagerstown High School, attended Indiana University, earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Oklahoma, and later received a Master’s degree in Education from Butler University. She retired as a teacher at Kokomo Center Twp. Schools Career Center, but her greatest joy was being a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, homemaker and wonderful cook. Marty was a sweet soul with a gentle sense of humor and a kind, calming presence. She was a longtime member of First Congregational Church, PEO Chapter BU, and Alpha Phi Sorority. Pretty Lake in Plymouth, Indiana, was a favorite place of Marty's, where she spent many beautiful summers with family and friends.
In retirement, Marty and Jim spent many happy years traveling the country and exploring the world in their RV with her favorite companion Freckles, meeting new people and making lasting memories. Their door was always open to friends, family, and several foreign exchange students, offering a warm and welcoming place to stay. Marty’s generosity and kind spirit touched the lives of everyone she encountered. She was deeply loved by her family and will be forever missed by all who knew her.
Along with her loving husband James, Marty is survived by her children, Sandra Meck of Kokomo, James “Jay” (Suzanne) Meck of Kokomo, and Sara Meck of Indianapolis; grandchildren, Melissa (T.J.) Rethlake, Lea (Jon) Franz, and Howard (Erica) Meck; great-grandchildren, Rylee & Tripp Rethlake, Rosie & James Franz; sister-in-law, Jean (Jones) Hilliard of Plymouth; and several nieces & nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Richard, James, and John Sedgwick; and a son, Howard Theodore Meck.
The family offers special thanks to Primrose Retirement Community for their special care of Marty, and also the entire team of Paradigm Hospice for gentle and compassionate care.
A funeral service will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at First Congregational Church, 505 W Mulberry St., Kokomo, with Pastor Jon Tice officiating. Burial will follow in Crown Point Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be made online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Elizabeth Joan “Betty” Ortman
Elizabeth Joan “Betty” Ortman, 92, Kokomo, passed away at 12:21 p.m. on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at University Place, West Lafayette. She was born February 28, 1932, in Tipton, the daughter of the late John Clement and Eva (Johannes) Funke. On November 21, 1953, at St. John Catholic Church in Tipton, she married Raymond Lee “Mick” Ortman, and they shared 61 years of marriage before he passed on November 18, 2014.
Betty graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Tipton in 1950. She became a Registered Nurse through St. Vincent School of Nursing in Indianapolis in 1953. She was Co-Owner of Kokomo Grain since 1953. Betty was a housewife, mother, and nurse. For many years she laundered, ironed, and maintained the priest’s vestments and altar linens. Her priorities were faith, husband, children and grandchildren and their spouses, and her home. We claimed she had “a hotline to Heaven” and often prayed to St. Anthony for intercession for lost items.
Betty was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Kokomo, where she was active with the Altar & Rosary Society and the School Bus Association. She was also a member of the PEO, President’s Council at Purdue, and Altrusa. Betty enjoyed supporting anything for education and the church; St. Joseph Hospital, Ivy Tech, IUK, YMCA, YWCA, and the Gilead House. On June 8, 1990, Betty received the Sagamore of the Wabash from Governor Evan Bayh for her work as Chairman of Commission for Higher Education. She enjoyed doing crosswords, traveling, Purdue football & basketball, cheering Purdue to the Final Four, gardening, playing Euchre and Hand & Foot. She was a huge supporter of her kids’ and grandkids’ sports and 4-H projects. One of her special activities was her love for modeling for several of our local women’s clothing stores, which she did into her mid 70s. Betty was known to occasionally enjoy an appletini or Grey Goose martini. She loved cardinals, angels, and babies.
Betty is survived by her children, Dr. Cynthia (Christian) Meyer, Jeffery (Debra) Ortman, J. Bradley (Paula) Ortman, Dr. Gregory (Mindy) Ortman, Timothy (Nancy) Ortman, Scot (Lisa) Ortman, and Zachary (Tina) Ortman; grandchildren, Jamie Ortman, Tracie (Ben) Sloss, Ben (Gwenlynn) Ortman, Alec Ortman, Benal Ortman, Nikki Ortman, Rachel (Nick) Reardon, Meggie (Geoff) Yovanovic, David Ortman, Victoria Ortman, Audrey Ortman, Cole Ortman, Brookelynn Ortman, Seth Ortman, Tyler Ortman (fiancé Caitlin), Hannah Ortman, Parker Ortman, Zachary Quinn, and McKinzi (Tristin) Williamson; great grandchildren, Ethan Sloss, Grace Sloss, Lily Sloss, Anna Reardon, Becket Yovanovic, Nathaniel Ortman, and Graylin Williamson; step-granddaughters, Vennessa (Matthew) Rust and Marcia (Brandt) Gheen; step greatgrandchildren, Juniper Rust, Oscar Rust, Eirin Gheen, Charlotte Gheen, and Gaige Gheen; siblings, Mary Lou Brauer, John “Dick” (Bobbi) Funke; brother-in-law, Norbert Tebbe; many nieces & nephews; special caregivers, Crystal Houston and Christina Rice; Fireplace friends at University Place and the friends throughout her life while in Kokomo and Tipton.
She was preceded in death by her parents, beloved husband; grandchildren, Karlee Rose Ortman, and Jacob B. Ortman; sister, Patricia Tebbe, brothers, Jerome, Theodore, and Donald; brothers-in-law, Virgil Scheidler, Paul Brauer, and Mick’s sister, brothers, and spouses.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m., Monday, October 14, 2024, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1229 N. Washington St., Kokomo. Burial will follow in Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, October 13, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W Lincoln Road, Kokomo, with the Nursing Honor Guard and Rosary starting at 1:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to IUK Elizabeth J. Ortman Nursing Scholarship, St. Patrick Catholic Church, or Timmy Global Health. Messages of condolence may be made online at www.shirleyandstout.com.