Joe Travis Blaylock

Joe Travis Blaylock entered his heavenly rest on Friday, December 13, 2024. He was 79. He married Bonnie Blaylock (Meyers) who preceded him in death on March 29, 2020.

Joe was born in Keiser, AR, a small logging outpost town nestled between Wilson and Jonesboro, to James Arthur and Addie Love (Cooper) Blaylock on Wednesday, March 17, 1945. Some years later, the family moved to Indiana where Joe graduated from Windfall High School in 1965. He lived in Indiana until his retirement. In 1999 he and his wife, Bonnie, moved to Foley, AL. They remained there for 18 years, returning to Kokomo in 2017 where he lived the remainder of his life.

Joe was born in a hotbed of musical diversity as Keiser was just 45 minutes from Memphis and not too far from the birthplace of Johnny Cash. The influence of country and rock from where he was born and throughout his life would form a lifelong impression on the man. A naturally gifted singer with striking stage presence and good looks, he sang with many different bands starting in high school until just a couple of years before his death. Later in life, at the age of 59, he learned the guitar and played at local festivals in the Foley, AL, area. And, if you asked just right - which we’re certain there wasn’t a wrong way to ask - he would impersonate his favorite rock star, Elvis Presley. And yes, Joe did love banana and peanut butter sandwiches.

Joe was a man who loved sports. He was a strong cross-country runner, but his tall and lean frame fit him for his one passion beyond music - basketball. He was a starting forward on the Windfall Dragons high school basketball team. He was a tenacious defensive player who not only loved to guard the toughest opponent on the floor but rebound as well. He said there was nothing like the feel of the leather ball in his hands and the squeak of his Chuck Taylors on the hardwood. He was an IU Basketball fan like none other – a trait that would find itself passed down through his family including his grandchild.

Joe served this great country in the Army from 1965 to 1969. He was stationed in the US, Vietnam, and Germany during that period. That service would lead him to be a lifetime member of the Howard County Veterans Association where he was a presence on the grounds most weeks with F-Troop.

Joe retired from Delco Electronics after 30 years at the plant. Following his retirement, he worked for Southern Chevrolet in Foley, briefly had a lawn mowing business, and assisted with the Foley Art Association along with his wife, Bonnie.

Joe found time to give back to others through involvement in the YMCA in Foley, Alabama, where he was a founding member of the Y’s Guys - a group of eight retired men who raised money not only for their local YMCA, but other local charities. Additionally, he was involved in mentorship with the youth of Baldwin County who found themselves in the court system.

Along with sports and family, his love for animals was unmatched. From his Golden Retriever Sadie May, his Jack Russells Mookie and Marley, and his Dingo Doby - that is missing him now – he trained, took care of them, and loved on them, maybe even more than his family. That is a joke, by the way – but not too far of a stretch. That same love for animals was, again, passed down to his family.

Left to look back and cherish his memory include his two sons, Joe (Linda) Blaylock of Kokomo, IN, and Joshua (Brian Chen) Blaylock of New York City; step-son Eric (Angie) Meyers of Kokomo, IN; grandchildren Joelie Love Blaylock, Lennon Meyers, Maisy Meyers and Gage Meyers; brother, Harold (Sheila) Blaylock of Massillon, OH; sisters – Betty (Kenny) Ziegler of Tipton, IN, and Judy Jones of Massillon, OH, as well as 18 nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie (Meyers) Blaylock; his mother, whom he adored and missed, Addie Love (Cooper) Blaylock; father, James Arthur Blaylock; as well as four brothers - James L. Blaylock, James Junior Blaylock, Robert Blaylock, Gary Blaylock, and one sister, Genice Ferguson.

Arrangements are being handled by Sunset Memory Garden. Joe’s wish was to be cremated. Celebration of life will be on Friday, December 27, 2024, from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. with disposition immediately following.

Patricia “Pat” Sue (Stafford) Hiatt

Patricia “Pat” Sue (Stafford) Hiatt, 79, of Kokomo, passed away Monday, December 16, 2024, at her home. She was born on September 30, 1945, the daughter of the late Clyde and Madge Stafford. In April of 1968, she married Jimmie “Jim” Hiatt, and he preceded her in death on May 6, 2015.

Pat was a 1963 graduate of Muncie Central High School. She formerly worked at Griner’s Sub Shop and with Kokomo School Corp. as a bus aide. She and her husband were co-owners of a factory called Prime Products. Pat was an independent and determined lady. She had the best sense of humor and found joy in playing jokes on people. She was fascinated with classic show cars, race cars, and drag racing. She loved taking cruises in her beautiful, bright yellow Corvette. She was a member of First Nazarene Church in Kokomo. She will be remembered as one of the “Cone Palace Grandmas.”

She is survived by a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dave and Linda Hollis; nephew, Randy (Denise) Hollis; dear friends, Candace (Lowell) Pemberton, Matt Lewis, Kurt and Wendy Lewis, Barry and Jennifer Rayls, and Patricia Shelton.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10 a.m. to noon, Friday, December 20, 2024, at Hasler-Stout Funeral Home, 112 E. Main St., Greentown, IN 46936. Funeral service will begin at noon on Friday at the funeral home with Pastor David Leeder officiating. Burial will follow in Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Muncie, IN. Contributions may be made in Pat’s memory to the Cat Café - Kokomo Humane Society. Stout Funeral Homes & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Marvin Eugene Dencel

Marvin "Geno" Dencel, a cherished figure in Kokomo, IN, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2024, at the age of 71. Born on August 11, 1953, to the late William and Margaret Hattabaugh, Geno was a man whose warmth and generosity touched the lives of many within his community.

Geno, a proud graduate of Kokomo High School in 1971, devoted his professional life to the culinary arts, becoming a Master Chef at Corner Pub and Still Inn. His passion for creating delectable dishes was only matched by his love for the Chicago Cubs, the Indianapolis Colts, and an extensive collection of Batman memorabilia, comic books, and vinyl records. A dedicated reader, he often found solace in the pages of a John Grisham novel and took great pleasure in expanding his knowledge through his many cookbooks and coin books.

Those who knew Geno understood him to be an individual of intelligence, thoughtfulness, and generosity. His presence at family gatherings was a source of joy, and his ability to tell a story or share a joke was unparalleled. He leaves behind a legacy of love and kindness that will be remembered by all who had the pleasure of crossing paths with him.

Geno is survived by his brother, Mark Dencel; sisters, Elizabeth Hattabaugh Jones, Amanda Hattabaugh Edwards; and sister-in-law, Eva Dencel. His memory will also be cherished by his best friend, Mario Glunt, his extended Corner Pub family, and several adoring nieces and nephews. He now joins his deceased parents, William and Margaret Hattabaugh, and his brother, Ronald David Dencel, in eternal rest.

The absence of Geno's hearty laughter and the wisdom he imparted will be deeply felt by his family, friends, and the many patrons of the Corner Pub and Still Inn, where he was not just a chef but a pillar of the community.

Geno's life was one of giving, and his impact will be felt for generations to come. He was the kind of person who made a lasting impression, whether it was through his culinary creations, his encyclopedic knowledge of sports, or his vast collections that sparked joy and conversation.

As we bid farewell to Marvin "Geno" Dencel, we celebrate a life well-lived, a man well-loved, and a legacy that will continue to inspire. Though he has departed from this world, his spirit remains with us, guiding us with the same love and generosity he shared so freely while he was here.

Geno's life will be honored in a way that he would have wanted – with memories shared, meals savored, and stories told and retold, each keeping the essence of his spirit alive in the hearts of those he touched.

Rest in peace, Geno. Your journey here has ended, but your story lives on.

City of Firsts Cremation and Funeral Services by Rose and Geiger was entrusted with the arrangements. www.cityoffirstscremations.com

Michael Lee Gene Ferenc

In the gentle winds of Star City, Indiana, Michael Lee Gene Ferenc, known affectionately to all as Mike, hath taken his final bow from the stage of life on the 13th day of December in the year of our Lord 2024. Born under the summer sun of Biloxi, Mississippi, in the year 1972, Mike embarked upon life's journey that would be marked by an unwavering spirit and a heart ever so kind.

The son of George Ferenc and the late Terry Blake, Mike was a beacon of light in the lives of those he touched. His early years were graced by the nurturing presence of his grandmother, Louise "Mimi" Quirk, who survives him still. The tapestry of his life was further adorned by the love and laughter of his children, Jason, Bree, Mikey, and Isaac Ferenc, and his legacy flourishes in the smiles of his grandchildren, Blakeleigh, Jordian, Milo, Rylie, and Maddy. Though the bonds of matrimony with Heather Lewis, his ex-wife, had been gently unknit by fate, their shared chapters remain a testament to a love once penned.

Mike's quest for knowledge led him to the hallowed halls of Purdue University, where he was bestowed with a degree in Psychology, and further to Indiana Wesleyan University, where he mastered his craft with a Masters. With parchment in hand, he dedicated his life to the noble cause of guiding lost souls as the head addictions counselor at First City Recovery. Like a steadfast lighthouse, he stood, a mentor to those adrift in the tempest of addiction, offering safe harbor to any who sought refuge.

His passions were as diverse as the stars in the firmament. A devotee of the athletic contests, Mike's heart beat in tandem with the fortunes of the Cubs and the Colts. His soul found joy in the simple pleasure of a well-crafted shoe, and his abode was a shrine to his beloved Lego Star Wars memorabilia. The visage of Baby Yoda sparked in him a child-like delight, a testament to his spirited nature.

Mike was a man of intelligence, his mind a font of wisdom that he shared generously. His passion was the fire that warmed all who gathered around him, and his spirit was as indomitable as the mighty oak. To speak of Mike is to speak of a man who lived not for himself, but for others; a man whose life was a tapestry woven with threads of compassion, empathy, and an unyielding zest for all that is good and beautiful in this world.

As we bid farewell to Michael Lee Gene Ferenc, we do so with hearts both heavy and grateful; heavy for the absence of his physical presence, yet grateful for the indelible imprint he hath left upon our souls. He joins in eternal repose his beloved mother Terry Blake and his grandparents, who preceded him in passing.

Let us not don the robes of sorrow, for Mike's story, though concluded in the mortal realm, is etched in the annals of time and in the memories of those who loved him. His was a life rich in moments of joy, of love, and of service to his fellow man. And so, with fond remembrance and a promise to cherish his spirit, we release him to the ages, knowing that his tale will be recounted with smiles and a warmth that transcends the veil of mortality.

Fare thee well, Mike. Thy life was a sonnet, thy actions a play of the noblest order. May the heavens rejoice at thy coming, and may thy rest be as sweet and peaceful as the life thou didst so gracefully lead.

City of Firsts Cremation and Funeral Services by Rose and Geiger was entrusted with the arrangements. www.cityoffirstscremations.com