Roy L. Conley, Linda Lou (Pearson) Shepherd, Amber Lynn New, Carol L. (Baxter) Noland, Phyllis Joan (Ferguson) Trulock
Roy L. Conley
Our wonderful Daddy Roy L. Conley, age 91, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away peacefully in his home on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. He went to be with our mother whom he has missed terribly since her death in January 2020.
Daddy was raised in Lucasville, Ohio, where he met our mother when he was in the 7th grade. They were married after he did his tour of duty in the Navy for two years where he served as a cook on a tug. Dad and Mom were married for 64 years until her death in 2020. There wasn't a day that went by that he didn't think about Mom and long to be back by her side.
We moved to Indiana in the ‘60s for his job with NCR (National Cash Register Company) where he retired after 39 years of machine repair and managerial services.
He was a musician while in high school, where he played the trumpet. He was part of the high school pep band.
He was a Boy Scout growing up and loved teaching boys how to survive in the world and be respectable young men and was a highly recognized Boy Scout Leader for many years.
He had many hobbies and talents. He enjoyed building and flying remote control airplanes and flew with the Columbus, IN, and Kokomo, IN, RC Clubs.
His favorite hobby where he was most talented was with his wood carving. He began carving when he was 12 years old and grew more talented every year. His annual tribute to family and friends was to carve a different Christmas ornament each year and pass them out. He has Christmas ornaments all over the world. He was a lifetime member of the Converse Carving club, where he was an instructor and took many carving classes to enhance his ability to become a very classic carver.
Daddy was preceded in death by his parents, his 15-month-old grandson Corey Hester (Brenda's son), his loving wife Carole Merb Conley, and his sister Nellie Arnett.
He is survived by his children Vickie & Mark Gumm, Brenda & Jeff Shuck, Cathy & Garry Gagnon, and Roger & Pam Conley. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, his brother-in-law Roger Merb, and many nieces and nephews.
A time of visitation for Roy will be held Monday, February 24, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home & Cemetery, 2097 West Alto Road, Kokomo, Indiana 46902, with a funeral service followed by entombment at 1:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the VFW Local 1152, 920 N. Washington St., Kokomo, Indiana 46901, in Roy's honor.
Linda Lou (Pearson) Shepherd
Linda Lou (Pearson) Shepherd, 82, of Tipton, passed away 2:15 a.m. Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at Ascension St. Vincent in Kokomo. She was born in Kokomo, IN, on August 12, 1942, the daughter of the late Benard and Helen (Taylor) Pearson. On January 25, 1979, she married Mike Shepherd, and he preceded her in death on March 18, 2009.
Linda was a 1960 graduate of Kokomo High School. While in school, she worked at French’s Grocery Store in Kokomo. She retired from AT&T, a.k.a. Indiana Bell, after 30 years of service as a phone operator. Linda was the most caring lady and the ultimate caretaker of others. She was proud of her son, and she was the best cheerleader for her grandkids at their sporting events and cheer competitions. She was a member of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary in Tipton and the Mom’s Club of Tipton High School. Linda was blessed with the talent of cooking and baking. She was known for her famous ham salad and chicken and noodles. Linda looked forward to the Pearson family cookouts with all of her brothers playing bluegrass music. She loved preparing funeral dinners at the VFW. Her favorite past times were completing word searches, listening to the Beach Boys, and watching classic movies like Grease, Dirty Dancing, and the Wizard of Oz.
She is survived by her son Scott (Ann) Pearson, stepdaughters Caroline (David) Jewell and Michelle (Dave) Goehst, grandchildren Joseph (Sydney) Pearson, Kevin (Courtney) Jewell, Allyson (Joseph) Parker, Jordan Best, and Cody Best, six great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Benard and Helen Pearson, husband Mike Shepherd, grandson Michael Gerald Pearson, and seven siblings.
A graveside service celebrating Linda’s life will begin at 2 p.m. Monday, February 24, 2025, at Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery mausoleum – Chapel of Love, officiated by Mark Malin. Contributions may be made in Linda’s memory to Palmer-Williams Group, palmerwilliamsgroup.org. Palmer-Williams group is an organization created to provide youth development programs to assist and guide disadvantaged youth to overcome interpersonal obstacles, embrace family values, and avoid life’s pitfalls. Stout & Son Funeral Home – Russiaville Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements.
Amber Lynn New
Amber Lynn New, 51, of Fishers, entered eternal rest at 3:38 PM on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, after battling breast cancer. She was born on May 11, 1973, in Kokomo to Pamela K. (Marner) Craig and Douglas Lee Courtney. On June 1, 1996, she married Brent Fain, and he preceded her in death on November 24, 1999. Amber married Travis New on December 28, 2017, and he survives.
Amber graduated from Western High School in 1991. She worked as an intake and outreach coordinator for Family Promise of Hamilton County. Amber previously worked in the bakery at County Market and Meijer, Pearson Education, Lawrence Township Schools, and helping the homeless during COVID-19 in Hamilton County. The light of her life was her son Owen Taylor. She had a heart for animals, helping others, her family, and her friends. She loved cruises with her best friends and adventures with her sister. Amber loved Taylor Swift and traveled with her sister to London in August 2024 to attend The Eras Tour.
Along with her husband of seven years Travis New, Amber is survived by her son Owen Taylor, stepson Jonathon New, parents Pamela (Mike) Craig and Douglas Courtney, sister Ashley (Chris Loera), half-siblings Katrina and Jason, grandmother Marilyn Courtney, stepfather-in-law David Vaught, several aunts, uncles, and cousins, beloved friend Linda Foust, and cats Jim and Elvis.
Amber was preceded in death by her first husband Brent Fain, mother-in-law Sherry Vaught, father-in-law Roger New, stepmother-in-law Terri New, maternal grandparents Barbara and Kenneth Marner, paternal grandparents Victor and Ruby Craig, and paternal grandfather Walter Courtney. Amber’s family would like to thank SouthernCare Hospice for the care provided in her final days.
A memorial service celebrating Amber’s life will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2025, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo. Please celebrate with us by wearing Amber’s favorite color pink, and in casual dress. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4:00 p.m. until the time of service on Friday, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Family Promise of Hamilton County, or the Hamilton County Humane Society. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Carol L. (Baxter) Noland
Carol L. (Baxter) Noland, 82, Kokomo, passed away Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at Community Howard Regional Health, Kokomo. She was born in Kokomo, Indiana, on February 8, 1943, to Lawrence W. Baxter and Wilma M. (Ormsby) Sailors. On May 31, 1964, she married Bill Noland, and he survives.
Carol was a 1961 graduate of Kokomo High School. She was a bookkeeper for their family excavating business Noland Excavating.
Carol loved to travel in their motor home traveling to Florida and California. She was a huge NASCAR fan; Jeff Gordon and Kyle Larson being her favorite drivers. Carol was a member of the Y and enjoyed bowling, encouraging young bowlers, and helping the bowling community. She was an avid reader. Most importantly, she loved spending time with her grandkids and great-grandkids.
She is survived by her husband Bill Noland, daughter Kristi Noland, and son Sean Noland, grandchildren Ashley Creek and Austin Creek, great-grandchildren Landon, Lainey, and Owen Creek, sisters Wilma Hobbs and Judy Tumbleson, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
In keeping with Carol’s wishes there will be private services.
Hasler & Stout Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers the family request “Do something nice for someone.”
Messages of condolences may be left online at www.hasler-stout.com.
Phyllis Joan (Ferguson) Trulock
Phyllis Joan (Ferguson) Trulock, 84, of Tipton, passed away on Monday, February 17, 2025, at her home with her devoted husband by her side. Phyllis was born on August 31, 1940, to her parents Dempsey Ferguson and Della (Blythe) Ferguson. She graduated from Columbus North High School in the class of 1957. Phyllis married the love of her life Kenneth Oliver Trulock on April 1, 1960, and the two enjoyed nearly 65 years of happiness.
The love story of Ken and Phyllis began in 1958. Ken was in the Coast Guard, working at the Coast Guard Lighthouse Island at Egmont Key (a small island west of Tampa Bay). One day when walking along the beach, a bottle washed up. He wouldn’t even have noticed most likely if he hadn’t kicked it and heard the ping on his boot. When Ken picked up the bottle he saw a piece of paper inside. He opened it to find a message about the gospel of Christ, but there was also the name and address of the woman responsible for sharing that good news - a woman who lived in Columbus, Indiana, and who had thrown the bottle off the Sunshine Skyway Bridge while on vacation in Florida. The woman was also a family friend of the Fergusons, and when she relayed her story, Betty, Phyllis' sister, thought the young man may be a perfect pen pal for Phyllis. She wrote the man in Florida pretending to be Phyllis, and Ken wrote back! Letters turned to love and after two years of writing, calling, and visiting, the two were married.
Ken and Phyllis continued to defy logic throughout their life together, always appreciating their story, the love they shared, and the amazing gift they found in one another.
Phyllis was the youngest child in her family, with three older sisters. They were all very musically inclined. Phyllis sang and could play the guitar, piano, and accordion. Her musical abilities brought lots of joy to her family. Phyllis was an amazing wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved quality time with her loved ones and could often be found cooking or baking for them. She also enjoyed traveling, eating out, and tending to her yard and flower gardens. Phyllis always felt blessed to be able to stay home with her children through their younger years. After the kids were raised, Phyllis worked as a caregiver at Arcadia Nursing Home. In 2003, Phyllis and Ken decided it was time to retire. Just like everything else in life, they did it together! The two enjoyed the season of life to the fullest, filling every day with fun and laughter. Life without Phyllis’ great love will never feel right. However, the family she leaves behind will forever be grateful for the example she set and the unconditional love she gave. She will be missed beyond measure!
Those left to carry on Phyllis’ legacy of love are her husband Kenneth Trulock, son Kenny Trulock, daughter Kindra (Brent) Tragesser, grandson Aaron S.T. Avery, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents Dempsey & Della Ferguson, and sisters Mildred (Charles) Coffey, Helen (George) Barnes, and Betty (Max) Bayliff.
Out of respect for Phyllis’ wishes, there will be no formal services held. Taylor & Cowan Funeral Home is honored to serve the Trulock family in their time of need.