Marilyn Sue Skinner
Marilyn Sue Skinner, 86, passed away peacefully Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at 3:09 a.m. at St. Vincent's Hospital in Indianapolis, IN. She was born on the kitchen table to Vard Andrew and Vera Lucille (Keppler) Skinner on December 15, 1937, in Muncie, IN.
Marilyn graduated from Muncie Central High School in 1955. She received her Bachelor's Degree from Ball State Teachers College in 1958 and her Master's Degree in 1961 from Ball State University. She received her Doctoral Degree in Education from Indiana University, Bloomington, in 1971.
Upon graduation, Marilyn began her career in Kokomo at Bon Air Elementary in 1958. Over a 37-year career, she served as both an elementary and middle school teacher. She went on to administer as an Assistant Principal at Bon Air Elementary, as Principal at Washington Elementary, and finally as Assistant Superintendent of the Kokomo School Corporation.
After retiring from the Kokomo School Corporation, Marilyn's passion for teaching extended to teaching the teachers. She supervised student teachers from I.U. Bloomington, Purdue, Ball State and Manchester colleges. Marilyn often joked that she failed at retirement and soon became the Director of the Center for Early Childhood Education at Indiana University Kokomo. Marilyn officially retired in 2019, and at a new home, the program continues to thrive to this day.
Marilyn was the heart and soul of Kokomo, serving her community in every corner. She was a member of the Kokomo Symphonic Society, Noon Rotary Club, and Altrusa Club of Kokomo. She has worked as a board member or advisory member for the Family Service Association, the Salvation Army, Samaritan Care Givers, Howard County Community Foundation, Women's Center of Howard Regional Health System, Bona Vista Programs, YWCA and YMCA capital campaigns, Ivy Tech State College, Indiana University Kokomo, Ball State University Philanthropic Society, Howard County United Way, AAUW Kokomo Schools Education Foundation, Kokomo Area Reading Council, Howard County Alumni Representative for Ball State and Howard County Chapter of I.U. Alumni. She has served as president and is a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Women's Honorary, Tri Kappa, Greek Club, Indiana State Reading Association, Indiana Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, the Indiana Association of School, College, and University Staffing, and the Mental Health Association.
Marilyn was recognized over the years with awards too numerous to mention. Among those she most cherished were the PTA State and National Life Memberships, the Ball State Benny and Distinguished Alumni Awards, the YWCA and Altrusa Club of Kokomo Woman of the Year, Torch Bearer Award by Indiana Commission on Women, the Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award, the Sagamore of the Wabash award in 2013, and the Golden Hoosier Award in 2018.
Marilyn is survived by six nieces and nephews: Mike (Jung Ja) Wolf, Pat (Keith) Rancine, Steve (Rosie) Wolf, Joe (Helena) Wolf, Tracy (Bill) McGrath, and Karen (Mark) Murdoch, along with 14 great nieces and nephews and 15 great-great nieces and nephews. Also surviving is dear friend, Abbe Talbert, and special canine friend, Ellie.
Marilyn loved life. She especially loved children and often commented that children are the fresh spring waters of society. Because she believed that we form our character in the first five years of life, she devoted her life to helping give children the best opportunities for growing and developing fulfilling and successful lives and relationships. She said that it was such an honor to be a part of this incredible process.
In her retirement, she found peace and solitude at The Silent Stars Farm where she lived for almost 32 years. This bucolic life fueled her memories and gave her many happy days of reflection on the sweet faces of all who were dear to her.
She will be remembered as a most selfless individual; one who had a huge heart of endless giving for both her community and her family. Her sense of humor was legendary, especially at the forefront of her "T-Shirt" Program which she provided for many community organizations. In the future, memories of her will flicker into our hearts from time to time and we will smile with gratitude for having known her. And isn't that a wonderful thing, to be remembered with a smile?
If you would like to be a part of Marilyn's continuing legacy, contributions may be made to The Boy Scouts of America, Sagamore Council, 518 N. Main Street, Kokomo, IN 46901, the Skinner/Wolf Scholarship at Ball State University, 2000 W. University Ave., Muncie, IN 47306, and the Kokomo Public Schools Education Foundation, P.O. Box 2188, Kokomo, IN 46904-2188.
Funeral Services celebrating Marilyn’s life will be held at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory. Friends are invited to visit with Marilyn’s family from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. A private burial will take place at Gardens of Memory in Muncie, IN. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Sandra Gail Romhild
Sandra Gail Romhild, 62, of Kokomo, passed away on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at Community Howard Regional Health. She was born on November 22, 1962, in Knoxville, Tennessee, the daughter of Charlie and Trula (Savage) Buckner.
Sandra worked in dietary and previously worked Kathy’s Day Care, and Manor Care. She loved music and her family, especially her grandchildren. Sandra enjoyed watching Vikings football with her son and reading her Bible every morning. She was a member of Hillside Missionary Baptist Church.
Sandra is survived by her children, Billy Young and Cassandra Martin; grandchildren Braylee Young, Jaylah Young, and Johnny Young; siblings, Katie Paul, Brenda Barnhill, Jerry Buckner, Nancy (Terry) Anderson, and Kristy Hunter; and several nieces and nephews.
Sandra was preceded in death by her parents; son, Johnny Young; and siblings, Doyle Buckner, Shirley Fenn, Lowell Alan Buckner, and Kathy Buckner.
A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m., on Monday, December 16, 2024, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Rd, Kokomo, with Pastor Bill Fields officiating. Burial will follow in South Union Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Monday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in Sandra’s name to Shirley & Stout Funeral Home to assist the family with final expenses. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Mary Ellen Hayes
Mary Ellen Hayes, 81, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away December 13, 2024. She was born on August 8, 1943, in Morehouse, Missouri, the daughter of Wilford W. and Lillie (Hendrix) Acord. She married Robert W. Hayes, who preceded her in death on April 14, 2015.
Mary enjoyed shopping and watching the Hallmark Network. She worked as Nursing Assistant at St. Joseph Hospital in Kokomo for several years.
Surviving relatives include two daughters, Sherry Hayes and Kellie McMain; son, Jeff Hayes; two sisters, Linda Burton and Donna Karns; and brother, Daniel Acord, all of Kokomo, IN; grandchildren Alyssa Riley and Jacob McMain, Weston Hayes, and Nathan Hayes.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brother Lanny Acord.
Visitation will be 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home. Funeral services 2:00 PM Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home, 2097 West Alto Road, Kokomo, Indiana 46902. Burial will follow at Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery, Kokomo, Indiana. Share a memory with the family at www.sunsetmemorygarden.com.
Jerry B. Norris
Jerry B. Norris, 61, of Galveston, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at St. Vincent Hospital in Kokomo. He was born January 19, 1963, in Kokomo to Joe R. and Anita L. (Brummett) Norris. He married Heather M. Nealy on May 2, 2024, in Kokomo, and she survives.
Jerry retired as a Tool Maker at Chrysler in December of 2022 in order to spend more time with his father. He served in the National Guard from 1986 to 1992. He loved fishing, riding his Harley Davidson, camping, and RC cars. In addition, he took great pride in his lawn, always carefully cutting the grass with love and dedication. Jerry was always thinking of others and was known for stopping and helping a stranger in need. He enjoyed spending time with the guys at the Cutter Grind Breakfast Group as often as he could.
Surviving family include his wife Heather of Galveston, children, Paul Jr., Owen and Lily Wade. He is also survived by two sisters, Kathy (Brett) Dauenhauer and Kristy (Mark) Miller. Several nieces and nephews also survive. He is preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.
Private family services were held Saturday, December 14, 2024, at Murray Weaver Funeral Home with Pastor Joe Coffin officiating. Jerry was laid to rest in the Galveston Cemetery.