Lettie “Virginia” Lile
Lettie “Virginia” Lile, 100, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away at home on Saturday, December 28, 2024. She was born September 28, 1924, in Denning, Arkansas, at home.
Virginia had such a full life. Being raised in the depression, many of her stories reflected on the hardship as well as the creativity to make much of little resources at that time, thus creating a very young, determined woman to set out with her husband, Arvie Lile, to discover the world. His work as a licensed electrician took them to all but a few states to work. She even said she was like a gypsy. This sense of adventure made her the person she was. Finally, his retirement allowed them to settle back in Arkansas near family and fun. Once her great granddaughter was born, Morgan Alizabeth Brantley, the time to relocate to Kokomo was an easy decision. She loved to spend time with her and was known then as simple “Greatie.” So many fun memories of being able to share activities with her family will always be an everlasting treasure.
Virginia had so many titles, mother, mammaw, Greatie, but most valued will always be wife. She was the love of her husband's life. He preceded her in death in 2001. Her interests were many: cooking, crafts, fishing, canning, gardening, and lastly but not least, her love and commitment to her grandson, Jeff Brown.
A final remark so often heard from Virginia was, “Do the best with what you have to do with!”
She is survived by her daughter Dianna Wilburn (Jerry), grandchildren Jeff Brown and Aarin Brown (Chad Krisher, as well as his son Austin Krisher), and special nieces Alice Faye Nahas, Becky Lensing, and Darlene Ray all of Arkansas.
Virginia is preceded in death by her husband, Arvie Lile, parents Sid and Annie Hurst, great-granddaughter Morgan Brantley, as well as her brothers and sister.
A visitation for Virginia will be held Thursday January 2, 2025, from 11:00 to 1:00 PM at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home & Cemetery, 2097 West Alto Road, Kokomo, Indiana 46902, followed by a funeral service at 1:00 PM.
Estela Solache Martinez
Estela Solache Martinez, age 89, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away on Saturday, December 28, 2024. She was born July 25, 1935, in Romita, Guanajuato, Mexico, to the late Eliseo Solache and Maria del Refugio Martinez.
She is survived by her children Herlinda Bobadilla Terron (Jaime) and Dario Bobadilla Solache (Ma. de la Luz), seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, Estela is preceded in death by her husband Albertano, one brother, and two sisters.
A Mass of Christian burial for Estela will be held Thursday, January 2, 2025, at 11:00 AM at St Joan of Arc Church, 3155 S 200 W, Kokomo, Indiana 46902.
Jaxon Oliver Daniels
Jaxon Oliver Daniels, 10, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at his home after a brief illness. Jaxon was born on July 15, 2014, in Noblesville, Indiana, to his parents Nathan Daniels and Haley Writtenhouse.
Jaxon was a fourth grader at Tipton Elementary. He had a love for learning that was present not only at school but in his home life as well. He was always inquisitive, mature, and wanted to understand how things worked. He loved reading and sharing all the subjects he found interesting. Jaxon enjoyed playing Minecraft, building LEGOs, and drawing. He was incredibly talented and creative! He was an epic gamer! Jaxon would study a game until he learned every strategy to defeat it. He beat many games: Hello Neighbor, Bendy and the Ink Machine, Cuphead, Roblox, Sonic, and Mario to name a few. He even became skilled in coding and was able to create his own games online.
Jaxon has three older siblings and three younger siblings. The job of peacemaker that the middle child typically carries suited him well. He had a way of making others feel at ease, included, and comfortable. Jaxon’s parents often found him playing games with his siblings. Typically, it wasn’t something he most likely would have chosen to play, but he enjoyed seeing each of them happy and loved spending time with them. Jaxon was definitely an old soul, and he led by example without even realizing it. He naturally made others feel loved and important, and he very willingly made sacrifices for others. Jaxon also loved quality time with both of his parents. He loved nothing more than when he was able to get one or both of them to play a board game or talk classic Mickey (his absolute favorite) with him. Jaxon knew everything there was to know about the history of Walt Disney, animation, Mickey, and how this entertainment has continued to evolve through so many generations. Jaxon was truly unique, with such a sharp mind. He almost always had a smile on his face and loved making his family and friends laugh. Jaxon truly had the sweetest heart that brought immeasurable joy to everyone in his life. He will be missed beyond measure!
Those left to carry on Jaxon’s legacy of love are his parents, Nathan Daniels and Haley Writtenhouse; siblings, Maddux Daniels, Ella Crawford, Nathan Crawford, Lillie Ann Daniels, Zoe Daniels, Benjamin Daniels; grandparents, Dale & Jeanne Daniels, Lisa & Kenny Goodrich, Ken Writtenhouse; great grandparents, Pat Langley, Essie Kay Writtenhouse; aunts and uncles, Lisa Anderson (Dustin), Heather Gibbs (Skip), Ashley Jasinski (Andy), Zach Writtenhouse (Angelicia), Zane Goodrich; and many cousins.
Jaxon was welcomed into Heaven by his grandpa Gerald Langley; cousin, Tyler O’Neal; great grandparents, John & Francis Daniels, Paul & Barb Slaughterbeck, and Mary Alice & Leonard Merle Goodrich.
A funeral service celebrating Jaxon’s life will take place on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Taylor & Cowan Funeral Home, located at 314 N. Main St. in Tipton with Pastor William Salsbery officiating. Visitation for family & friends will be held from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will take place immediately following the service in Tipton's Fairview Cemetery.
Taylor & Cowan Funeral Home is honored to serve Jaxon’s family in their time of need.
Homer L. Wensel
Homer L. Wensel, 87, Kokomo, died Friday, December 27, 2024, at Northwoods Commons Retirement Community. He was born April 21, 1937, in Elcho, Wisconsin, the son of Glen & Adeline (Busch) Wensel. On September 4, 1976, in Michigantown, IN, he married Phyllis A. (Kirkendall) Wensel, and she preceded him in death April 3, 2018
Homer was a 1955 graduate of New London High School, New London, Wisconsin. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1958 and served seven years, earning the rank of Engineman Petty Officer Third Class. He retired from Delco Electronics in 1992 after 25 years of service in machine repair.
He was a member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church and enjoyed traveling with the love of his life, Phyllis. After retiring from Delco, Homer & Phyllis traveled to most of the 50 states and parts of Mexico and Canada in their motor home. He also enjoyed woodworking and playing cards and board games with his friends and family.
Homer is survived by his children, Jerry (Valerie) Bougher and Shelly (Kolby) Dickover; grandchildren, Jamie Bougher, Nicole (Adali) Schuler, Emily (Roman) Fishchuck, Emily (Jake) Eisen, Jakob (Fiona)Morano, Casey (Jim) Gallaher, Kyle (Elizabeth) Dickover, TJ Dawson O’Neal, and Christine Dickover (Michael); 10 great grandchildren; three brothers, Neil (Sandy) Wensel, Ken Wensel, Norb (Pam) Wensel; sister-in-law Coleen Wensel; and several nieces and nephews.
Homer was preceded in death by his parents; son, Joe Ingram; daughter, Ann O’Neal Wensel; brothers, Bill Wensel, Garrett Wensel; and his sister, Sr. Mary Jermone.
A very special thanks to Kathy McVoy for making Homer “Homie,” as she called him, feel like family and for pestering him whenever he needed it. A very heartfelt thanks to his card playing partners who became friends, Cliff, Howard, Ann, Janice, Jessie, Margo, Joretta, Joy and many more. I’m sure we will all miss him at the game tables.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, January 4, 2024, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 3155 S. 200 W., Kokomo, with Rev. Fr. Chris Shocklee the celebrant. Private burial will be held at a later date in Russiaville Cemetery. The Rosary will be offered at 11:30 a.m. Friends are invited to visit with the family following the Rosary until 1:30 p.m. at the church. Military honors will be provided by the United States Navy and the Kokomo VFW Military Rites Team at the church. Memorial contributions may be made in Homer’s memory to St. Joan of Arc Church. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.stoutandson.com.
Ted W. Lorts
Ted W. Lorts, aged 82, of Sharpsville passed away on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at Community North Hospital in Indianapolis. He was born on October 16, 1942, in Kokomo, Indiana, to Wayne & Donna Dee (Cottingham) Lorts. On January 8, 1966, he married the love of his life, Sandy Rees. The couple enjoyed 57 years of marriage together before Sandy’s passing on April 30, 2023.
Ted started Lorts Welding early in life; later going to work at Haynes International. He then dedicated much of his professional life to the Chrysler Corporation in Kokomo as a millwright. His passion for racing spanned several decades, and he was named UMRA Quarter Midget Rookie of the Year in 1964.
Ted joined Sharpsville Fire Department in 1964 and was a 60-year member of the fire department, serving as chief for 30 of those years. He was a true public servant and helped to save countless lives and protect numerous properties in Tipton County and the surrounding area throughout his career with the fire department. He also served on the Sharpsville Ambulance Service Board and Tri-Central School Board for several years.
Ted loved to be around people and spent a lot of his free time at the Tipton Elks Lodge #1012, where he was a member. He also enjoyed casting a line on occasion at his favorite fishing spot, and later in life he started playing golf.
Ted is survived by his three sons: James and wife Carol of Sharpsville, Robert and wife Jamie of Kokomo and Ted Lorts of Muncie; siblings, Sandy Ritchey and husband Jim of Sharpsville, Ricky Moeller and Ron of Sharpsville; five grandchildren; Andy, Cory, Carson, Peyton and Alana Lorts. Ted also has two great-grandchildren, Sage and Jermiah Lorts. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sandy and two brothers, Terry and Dickie Lorts.
Funeral services will be on Monday, January 6, at 11:00 a.m. at Young-Nichols Funeral Home with Pastor Heather Holman presiding. Burial will follow at Sharpsville Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Ted will be remembered for his kindness, dedication, and the many lives he touched throughout his remarkable life. Condolences for the Lorts family may be made on Ted’s obituary page at www.young-nichols.com.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sharpsville Fire Department, 158 W. Vine Street, Sharpsville, Indiana, 46068.
Andra "Angie" Leah Horne
Andra "Angie" Leah Horne, 79, of Kokomo, Indiana, was embraced into the arms of her Heavenly Father on the evening of Saturday, December 28, 2024, at Community Hospital North in Indianapolis.
Andra was born December 30, 1944, in Williamson, West Virginia, a daughter of the late Paul Barnabus and Euda Madeline (Simpson) Gilmore.
Andra was a 1962 graduate of Frankfort Pilgrim High School in Frankfort, Indiana. She met her late husband, Francis Marion Horne, while living in Frankfort. They moved to Kokomo, Indiana, and married on April 29, 1967. Andra worked at Delco Electronics for 20+ years, until health issues forced her to take an early retirement. Andra enjoyed working in her yard and took great pride in her landscape. She very much enjoyed pulling weeds and leaves out of her yard with her precious needle nose pliers, as well as, sweeping the city streets in the middle of the night. She was very brave, determined, and hardworking. She had a gentle and kind heart. She loved her friends and family. She loved shopping at Kohls. She could often be found sitting in her garage with a bag of Cheetos and a Diet Coke. She had a twinkle in her eye and had the best sense of humor. She was loved dearly by her family and will be deeply missed.
Andra leaves behind her daughter Tambra (David/Jeremy) Castor of Greentown, Indiana; sister Marvena Helms; two grandchildren, Carson Castor and Morgan (Alex) Castor-Mora; her nieces Delinda (Dee) Helms, Lonna Helms, Shannon (Mark) Donahoo, and Robin (Mike) Witt; and her nephews David Gilmore, Darren (Tanya) Gilmore, and Paul (Allison) Gilmore.
In addition to her parents, Andra is preceded in death by her husband Francis Marion Horne; sons John David Horne and Michael Edward Horne; and brothers Paul Edward (Frances) Gilmore and Carl David Gilmore.
A visitation for Andra will be held Wednesday, January 8, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home & Cemetery, 2097 West Alto Road, Kokomo, Indiana 46902. A funeral service will occur Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 12:00 PM at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home & Cemetery.
Judith H. Boyd
Judith H. Boyd, 82 of Tipton, passed away on Monday, December 30, 2024. She was born in Elwood on February 1, 1942, the daughter of Ora H. & Dorothy E. (Heathcote) Boyd.
Judith worked at Nestle Corporation, Carnation Corporation, and was the manager at the Polar Bear in Tipton. She attended Hobbs Grade School and graduated from Tipton High School in the Class of 1960. Judith attended Trinity Wesleyan Church.
She is survived by one son, Jeffrey Corlew and wife Patti of Greenfield; two sisters, Linda Hartman of Tipton and Janet Martin of Elwood; one sister-in-law, Marilyn Boyd of Tipton; four grandchildren, Tyler Corlew and wife Jessica, Ryan Corlew and wife Courtney, Tim Corlew and wife Kelsey, and Devon Corlew; as well as three great-grandchildren, Mason, Oliver, and Rowan. She also has several nieces and nephews.
Judith was preceded in death by one son, Gregory M. Corlew; one brother, Joseph A. Boyd; and one brother-in-law, Ron Martin.
Private family services are being planned, and Judith will be buried in Fairview Cemetery. Young-Nichols Funeral Home is assisting the Boyd family. Condolences for Judith’s family may be made on her obituary page at www.young-nichols.com.
Memorial contributions in honor of Judith may be made to the Tipton County Humane Society, P.O. Box 237, Tipton, Indiana, 46072.