Timothy “Tim” Kent Severns
Timothy “Tim” Kent Severns, 66, of Kokomo, passed away on Sunday, January 5, 2025. He was born September 10, 1958, in Kokomo, Indiana, to E.P. and Virginia Severns. On October 8, 1994, he married the love of his life, Mary Tricia “Trish” Zuppardo, and she survives.
Tim graduated from Kokomo High School in 1977 and attended Ball State University, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Following college, he joined the family business at the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Kokomo, serving as Vice President.
Tim found great joy in many hobbies, including golfing and playing cards with his buddies at the Kokomo Country Club, flying, fishing, and cooking with his wife, Trish. He made the world's best chicken piccata. Above all, Tim’s greatest joy in life was spending quality time with his family, especially his two daughters, Nikki and Ally. He was known for his huge heart, incredible kindness, and contagious positive energy. Tim’s unique voice had a way of filling any room, leaving a lasting impression. His inquisitive nature sparked countless conversations and deep connections. If you knew Tim, you had a friend.
In addition to his wife, Trish Severns, survivors include his daughters, Elizabeth Nicole “Nikki” (J.W.) Demaree and Alexandra “Ally” (Michael) Severns Clark; siblings, Craig (Kristi) Severns and Susan (Francis) Severns Ellert; brother-in-law, Jack (Sandy) McCullough; father-in-law, Joe Zuppardo; sister-in-law, Tina (Ray) Felker; nieces and nephews, Betse, Pierce, Fritz, and Cabot Ellert, John McCullough, and A.J. and Andrew Edwards; and his beloved doggies, Wolfie and Bear.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Elizabeth Ann “Betse” Severns McCullough.
Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, January 10, 2025, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Rd., Kokomo, IN. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at Northview Church, 3409 South 200 West., Kokomo, IN with Pastor Mark Malin officiating. Burial will follow in Kokomo Memorial Park Cemetery with Father Kyle Neterer officiating.
Contributions may be made in Tim’s memory to the Kokomo Humane Society, www.kokomohumane.org. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
A quote Tim lived by that we will continue to cherish - “With gratitude, optimism is sustainable.”
We will love you and miss you forever.
Richard “Dick” Leroy Batt
Richard “Dick” Leroy Batt, 81, of Kokomo, passed away 10:25 p.m. Sunday, January 5, 2025, at Kokomo Place. He was born In Muncie, IN, on April 25, 1943, the son of the late Robert Richard and Helen Catherine (Skirfen) Batt. On June 2, 1963, he married Lynda Sue Allen, and she preceded him in death on March 20, 2023.
Dick attended Muncie Central High School. He retired in 2022 after working 63 years as a truck driver. His other places of employment included Dietzen’s Bakery, Stoops Express, J.B. Hunt, and Red Gold. He proudly served our country in the United States Army. He earned the rank of SP-4 before he was honorably discharged. Dick was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He had a sense of humor, and you always knew where you stood with him.
Dick is survived by his children, Tony Batt, Tammy Riche, Todd Batt, Lisa Glover, Robin Brewer; grandchildren, Heather Stone, Shane Batt, Carol Batt, Tony (JT) Batt, Joshua DeSpain, Cory DeSpain, Star (Thomas) Ignacio, Ray Riche, Richard A. Batt, Larry Batt, Bre Ann Kitty Lynn Batt, Erik Glover, Andrew Grover, Lance Brewer; several great-grandchildren, and cousin, Bert Martin.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Helen Batt; wife, Lynda Sue Batt; grandmother, Mammy Batt; aunt, Marjorie Martin; uncle, George Martin; son-in-law, Larry Riche.
Dick’s family would like to extend a special thank you to those who took excellent care of him. To Elara Caring and their nurses Emily, Barbara, Marcie, and LeAnn. To his friend Robert, he spent a lot of time planning their escape in the Bookmobile. To his friend Marsha, he bartered with often. To the entire staff at Kokomo Place, Andrea, Chrissy, Susan, Brandon, Angie, Jennifer, Olivia, Melanie, Brooke, Heather, Cheryl, Shellby, Jared, Alexys, Taylor, Rosemary, Alizabeth, Bethanie, Debra, Rheanna, Kegan, Kahlani, Mary, Sha-dimon, Keagonna, Abby, Freda, Brittney, Felicia, and Bill. He was loved deeply by the family of Kokomo Place and his family is truly thankful for all of your love and support.
Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, January 10, 2025, at Stout & Son Funeral Home – Russiaville Chapel, 200 E. Main St., Russiaville, IN 46979. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 11, 2025, at the funeral home with Pastor Robert Barlett officiating. The funeral service will begin with military honors being provided by the United States Army and the Kokomo VFW Military Rites Team. Contributions may be made in Dick’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Dementia Society. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.stoutandson.com.
Kash’tyn Phillip Riley
Kash’tyn Phillip Riley was born sleeping at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, January 6, 2025, at Community Howard Regional Health in Kokomo, Indiana. Though his time with us was brief, Kash'tyn touched the hearts of his family and will forever be cherished.
He is the beloved son of Brayden Riley and Madisyn (Sease) Espinosa. Kash’tyn is deeply loved by his siblings, Leilani Espinosa, Nymeir Holifield, and Braylynn Riley; grandparents, Christina Carter, John Sease and Jesse Brooks; great-grandparents, Debbie (Ron) Bryant and Bobbie (Del) Sease; aunt and uncles, Austin Scherrer (Kimberlynn Taylor), Kenneth Marshall Jr., and Kierstyn Marshall; and cousin, Greyson Scherrer.
Kash’tyn was greeted in Heaven by his grandmother, Misty Brooks.
A funeral service to honor Kash’tyn’s memory will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory in Kokomo. His great-grandfather Pastor Ronald Bryant will officiate the service. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.
Ronald Wayne Merrill
Ronald Wayne Merrill, age 90, of Kokomo, Indiana, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, January 3, 2025. He was born October 4, 1934, in Gary, Indiana, to the late Carl and Edith Fern Merrill.
Ron was a sports enthusiast and loved being active. He played softball and basketball in High School and continued his athleticism into adulthood with golf and bowling. He was a family man and was devoted to his wife, Carol, before her passing. He made his children feel loved and important by attending all of their events and supporting their life ventures. To relax he enjoyed playing cards with friends and putting together puzzles. He was extremely active with St. Luke's United Methodist Church. He worked as the treasurer, attended mission trips, was a Stephen Minister and was a long-time member of his Sunday School class. He was a dedicated worker at General Motors as an accountant for over 30 years before his retirement. He was a well-mannered man, always staying polite with a smile on his face no matter the situation he was in.
Ron is survived by his children Sherry Treat (Stephen), Ronda Hall (Paula), and Bruce Merrill (Martha), grandchildren; Benjamin Canfield (Amanda), Rachel Xydes, David Hall, and Logan Merrill, great-grandchildren; Parker Canfield, Charlotte Canfield, Jax Xydes, and Leo Xydes.
In addition to his parents Ronald is preceded in death by his wife Carol Merrill, granddaughter Hayley Merrill, and siblings; Helen Erwin, Maxine Harris, Evelyn Rowan, Judy Carol Merrill, and Wavern "Bud" Merrill.
A funeral service for Ron will be held Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home & Cemetery, 2097 West Alto Road, Kokomo, Indiana 46902.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ronald's memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17., Chicago, Illinois 60601.
John M. Troyer Jr.
John M. Troyer Jr., 94, of Kokomo, passed on to his eternal home on Monday, December 30, 2024. He was born on February 1, 1930, in Kokomo, Indiana, the son of John M. and Helen (Wise) Troyer Sr. On August 23, 1953, in Kokomo, Indiana, he married Doris June Spangler, and she preceded him in death on July 17, 2017.
John attended several schools in Howard County as a child. His family moved to Baraboo, Wisconsin, when he was 12. He graduated from Baraboo High School in 1948. After graduating from high school, he moved back to Indiana and eventually took over his grandparents’ farm in Miami County. He took great satisfaction as a lifelong farmer with the help of his wife, June. John was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ and was gifted with a beautiful singing voice. He loved to sing and led worship at countless churches and revivals. As a young man, he sang at several weddings and then funerals as he grew older. John was a member of several different quartets, Kokomo Zion Church choir, and the Ringmasters Barbershop chorus in Peru. He was a member of the Gideons, and taught Sunday School at Kokomo Zion Church, where he was a member until his passing. John loved golfing and traveling with June and her family. He was a wonderful dad and grandpa and led by example how to live a Godly life.
John is survived by his children, Kathy (Larry) Stanley, Brian Troyer, and Jayne (Scott) Boltz; grandchildren, Jason (Celeste) Stanley, Joe (Brooke) Stanley, Rachel Troyer, Jonas Troyer, Rebecca (Brent) Hite, Laura (Kevin) Stage, Nathan (Kayla) Boltz; and great-grandchildren, Caroline, Cole, Emma, Aspen, Lilah, Ian, Rowan, Noah, Isaac, Emerson and Elliott. Also survived by brother-in-law, Reverend Verlyn Harr; cousin, Rosie Tucker; many nieces, nephews, and very special friend, Sally Imbler.
Along with his wife of 63 years, Doris June Troyer, John is preceded in death by his parents, John and Helen Troyer; granddaughter, Angela Stanley; brother, Jack Troyer; sister-in-law, Betty Troyer; sister, Marge Harr; and daughter-in-law, Valerie Troyer.
John’s family would like to extend a special thank you to Century Fields and their staff for their care the last two years and especially the last three months. Also thank you to Guardian Angel Hospice for their wonderful care.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 16, 2025, at Kokomo Zion Church, 5051 County Rd. E 400 N., Kokomo, with Pastor Keith Chanley officiating. Burial will follow in Kokomo Zion Church Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at the church and one hour prior to the service on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in John’s name to the Kokomo Zion Church or The Gideons International. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Rachel Ann (Morris) Hendrix
Rachel Ann (Morris) Hendrix, 88, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away on December 23, 2024, at home following a long battle with kidney disease. She was a 50-year breast cancer survivor.
Rachel was born September 1, 1936, in Logansport, Indiana, to the late Rev. Edward E. and Gladys (Threlkeld) Morris. She lived all her life in Indiana except for the 10 years she lived in Bowling Green, Ohio, from 1975-1985. She graduated from Cutler High School in 1954 and on August 26, 1956, married the love of her life, Charles Hendrix, at Cutler Presbyterian Church. They were happily married for 45 years until his death in 2002.
She had many jobs, including her last employment at Delco Electronics, but she especially loved her “jobs” as a volunteer. She was a deacon and elder at First EPC where she was in charge of the rummage sales for many years. She also volunteered at Kokomo Rescue Mission for over 20 years and at the Kiwanis Thrift Store in Ft. Myers, FL, for over 15 years.
The most important things to Rachel were her faith in Jesus, her loving relationship with her husband, and being a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Everyone who knew her loved her. She lit up rooms with her smile and never met a stranger. She leaves behind a legacy of service, kindness, and sharing. She was an avid Purdue fan and long-time member of the John Purdue Club.
Left to treasure her memory are her children, Debbie (Tom) DeLaurelle, David (Sue) Hendrix, Jane Frankart, and Mark Hendrix; eight grandchildren, Brenna (Patrick) Murtagh, Sarah (Todd) Green, Austin (Collin) Hendrix-Callihan, Nicholas (Anastasia) Frankart, Ashley (Griffin) Jones, Courtney (Josh Keaton) Hendrix, Cody (Kristy) Hendrix, Raline Hendrix; 12 great-grandchildren; one sister, Liz (Mike) Rice; one brother, Tom (Joyce) Morris; four sisters-in-law, Marilyn (Ed) Ransopher, Mary (George) Summe, Julia Powell, and Betty Flora; and one brother-in-law, Paul Hendrix.
A memorial service celebrating Rachel’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at First EPC Kokomo, 2000 W. Jefferson Street, Kokomo, with Pastor Joyce Harris Officiating. A link will be available at the bottom of Rachel’s obituary page to watch the memorial service live. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Paradigm Hospice or First Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be made online at www.shirleyandstout.com.