Brian Allen Chapman
Brian Allen Chapman, age 57, of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away on Wednesday, November 13, 2024. Brian was born on August 25, 1967, in Orange, California, the son of Dean and Connie (Shaffer) Chapman. He is survived by his parents of Galveston, Indiana. He is also survived by his two sons: Jacob Chapman of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Benjamin Chapman of Indianapolis, Indiana. He is also survived by significant other Julie Goodman. Many other relatives and family members survive.
Additionally, Brian shared his love of golf with his many friends and family. He was the golf coach for Lutheran High School of Indianapolis. Brian was a 28-year member of Indian Lake Country Club in Indianapolis. He was a graduate of Wabash College and member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. Throughout his professional career, Brian worked as a mortgage loan officer. If you had Brian as a friend, he was a friend for life.
A visitation will be held on Monday, November 18, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Flanner Buchanan – Geist, located at 7855 Cork Road, Indianapolis, Indiana. His funeral service will begin at 5:00 PM. Rev. Marcus J. Mackay will officiate. An additional visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Murray Weaver Funeral Home, located at 401 S. California Street, Galveston, Indiana 46932. A graveside service will follow at Galveston Cemetery in Galveston, Indiana. Rev. Marcus J. Mackay will also officiate the graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations in Brian's memory be made to the Lutheran High School Athletic Department.
Sybil B. Parson
Sybil B. Parson, 87 of Tipton passed away on Friday, November 15, 2024, at The Waters of Tipton. Sybil was born in Lula, Kentucky, on June 8, 1937, to Floyd & Pauline (Weston) Barnes. She married Donnie Beard in 1955 and later married Robert K. Parson, Jr. in 1963.
Sybil worked for a short time at Stellite and Delco before deciding to stay home and take care of her family due to a very bad back problem. She was baptized at Heartland Ministries. Sybil enjoyed getting together to listen to music, especially Country, Gospel, and Bluegrass. Late in life she got to enjoy the love of Rex Wright for eight years before his passing.
Survivors include her three children, Sandra Gaiser and husband Mark, Kokomo, Kenneth Parson and wife Jessica and Sherry Melton and husband J.D. of Tecumseh, Missouri; one sister, Gena Hurst of Tipton. She also has six grandchildren, Amanda Parson, Angela Pontious, Roni Myers, Kenny Parson, Jessica and Corinna; several great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Sybil will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 22, at Young-Nichols Funeral Home with Steve Brown presiding with burial to follow in Sharpsville Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00–2:00 p.m. on Friday.
Condolences for Sybil’s family may be left on her obituary page at www.young-nichols.com. Memorial donations in her honor may be made to the Tipton County Humane Society, P.O. Box 237, Tipton, Indiana, 46072.
Michelle Rene Smith
Michelle Rene Smith, the woman who could turn a camping trip into a comedy special and a family gathering into a laughter therapy session, took her final bow on November 14, 2024, in Kokomo, IN. She was born on October 1, 1966, in Bluffton, IN, to Dale Edward Brown and the late Judy (Monnet) Brown.
Michelle, or "Aunt Chelle" was the heart of her family. She leaves behind a legacy of love and laughter, survived by her dad Dale, her pride and joy, sons Teagen Smith (Amber Wright) and Colten Smith (Taryn McCormick), her sister Katrina Brown Athan, and brother Kirt Brown (Nicole Walker). Her grandchildren, Thea, Daxtyn, and Aspen Smith, were the apples of her eye, and she shone brightest when she was with them. Her nieces and nephews, Kedric, Tristan, Tricia, Conner, and Mason, along with great-nieces and nephews Laynee, Oliver, Ivy, Karter, and Forrest, will miss her "arm pit torture" and the unique brand of crazy fun only she could provide.
Michelle was a dedicated student, earning a Master's in Education from Purdue University Fort Wayne and a degree in Psychology from Ball State University. She channeled her passion for helping others into her career as a Drug and Addictions counselor in Tipton County and as a Middle School teacher in Gas City. Her professional life was as diverse as her interests, having worked with the Hibbert Promotional Group and Elanco Animal Health, where she was as much a force of nature as she was in her personal life.
Michelle's interests were as eclectic and vibrant as her personality. She was a fierce protector of her boys, including Seger, her four-legged child. Christmas with Michelle was like living in a Hallmark movie, and her garden was a testament to her belief that laughter was the best fertilizer. Horseback riding and camping was where she found solace in everyday life; she could hitch her fifth-wheel camper to her truck and head off to Colorado or California with the same ease as she could crack a smile.
Her love for Colorado was no secret; it was her "place," her sanctuary, and probably the only spot on earth that could handle her boundless energy. When family called, Michelle answered, moving back to Indiana from Colorado to care for her parents, especially her mother in her declining health. Her selflessness was as legendary as her courage, and she was the embodiment of love in action.
As an aunt, Michelle was the master of mischief and the architect of adventure. She was the one who would jump into any crazy game, the instigator of fun, and the purveyor of the kind of love that could light up a room. Her "arm pit torture" was a rite of passage in the family, and her ability to turn every occasion into a stand-up routine made her the best kind of relative one could ask for.
Michelle was a woman of many words, not all of them loving, she wouldn't sugar coat just for the sake of sugar coating, but the love was selfless, and courageous. Her departure leaves a void that will be filled with stories, memories, and the sound of laughter that she inspired in all of us.
So, here's to Michelle Rene Smith, a woman who taught us that life is worth living and love is the encore that lasts forever. She may have left us too early, but she will go on in the hearts and smiles of everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her.
City of Firsts Cremation and Funeral Services by Rose and Geiger was entrusted with the arrangements. www.cityoffirstscremations.com