Ann H. Hunt
Ann H. Hunt, 96, of Kokomo, passed away on Monday, January 13, 2025, at Brickyard of Kokomo. She was born July 11, 1928, in Indianapolis, IN, the daughter of the late William and Susan (Kamp) Hutchison. On October 7, 1950, she married Gates E. Hunt Jr. at Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, and he preceded her in death on March 6, 2008.
Ann graduated from Broad Ripple High School, then attended Indiana University. She received a master’s in education from Butler University. Ann began teaching at Westfield schools and then taught for 35 years in Kokomo Center Schools in elementary education. She was a member of First Church of Christ in Peru and lifetime member of Sigma Kappa. Ann enjoyed gardening flowers, knitting, and puzzles such as sudoku and crossword puzzles.
She is survived by: her children Susan Shearer, Robert Hunt, and James Hunt; grandchildren Clayton (Sarah) Shearer, Susan (Martin) Lott Stancil, Stephanie (Joshua) Lott Garner, and Nathan Hunt; son-in-law Stephen Lott; great grandchildren Mary Stancil, Sarah Stancil, Anna Stancil, Gates Shearer, Georgia Shearer, Ezra Shearer, and Jeremiah Garner; niece Sandy (Ted Bragdon) Hutchison; nephew Charlie (Teresa) Hutchison; and several great nieces and nephews.
Along with her husband, Gates E. Hunt Jr., Ann was preceded in death by her parents, brother William Hutchison Jr., daughter Andrea Lott, and nephew David Hutchison.
A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W Lincoln Rd, Kokomo with Pastor Shane Capps officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memory Gardens Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at the funeral home. Contributions may be made in Ann’s memory to First Church of Christ, 2584 S. Business US 31, Peru, IN 46970. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Jean Ellen Hobbs
Jean Ellen Hobbs, 89, of rural Tipton County, passed away at 4:04 p.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at The Waters of Tipton. She was born in Prairie Township of Tipton County on December 28, 1935, to Olas & Anna Mae (Adams) Quakenbush. Jean married Doyle L. Hobbs on July 17, 1954, and they enjoyed 66 years together.
Jean was a homemaker and farmer’s wife which encompasses many things, especially while raising three children. She graduated from Prairie High School in 1953. Jean was a member of the Hobbs Christian Church and Phi Beta Psi sorority. She also found time to volunteer at the gift shop at Tipton Hospital.
Survivors include: her three children Marcia Fettig and husband Jeff, St. Joseph, Michigan, Scott Hobbs and wife Lisa, Tipton, and Mindy Hobbs and partner JoAnn Flora, Nashville, Tennessee; four grandchildren Anne-Elise Lansdown, Jay Fettig, John Hobbs, and Lauren Decker; 13 great-grandchildren and one on the way. Jean is also survived by sister-in-law Rosemary Quakenbush. She was preceded in death by sister Catherine Fewell and husband Ray and brother John Quakenbush.
Funeral services for Jean will be at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, January 20, at Young-Nichols Funeral Home with Cindy Ploughe presiding and burial to follow in Fairview Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday.
Young-Nichols Funeral Home is honored to assist the Hobbs family. Condolences for Jean’s family may be made on her obituary page at www.young-nichols.com.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hilton Hobbs Scholarship c/o the Tipton County Foundation, P.O. Box 412, Tipton, Indiana, 46072.
Jean’s family would like to thank the staff at The Waters of Tipton for the outstanding care she received during her time there. They were very kind and caring to her. The children of Jean and Doyle would also like to thank Geraldine and Mary Jo for the years of love and comfort they showed both to our parents and to us.
Cynthia Ann Gordon
Cynthia Ann Gordon, 69, Kokomo, passed away at 4:30 a.m., on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Ascension St. Vincent 86th Street in Indianapolis. She was born on May 21, 1955, to the late Leonard F. and Dolores (Schafer) Baxter.
Cynthia graduated from Haworth High School in 1973. She retired from P.L. Porter after 10 years of service. She loved to be creative, which she expressed through her drawings, photography, cross-stitching, and knitting. She also enjoyed collecting stamps and coins, camping, fishing, and traveling.
Cynthia is survived by: her children Dolores Weese and Stephen (Christy) Gordon; grandchildren Hope Gordon, Destiny “Daniel” Weese, Will Weese, Quintin Gordon, Dimitry Gordon, and Emma Gordon; siblings JoAnn (Gary) Quinette, Suzanne Cheek, and Leonard (Amy) Baxter; along with many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and the father of her children, Michael Gordon.
A funeral service will take place at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W Lincoln Road, Kokomo. Burial will take place in Crown Point Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 3 p.m. until the start of the service on Wednesday at the funeral home, with a Rosary service starting at 2:45 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to St, Joan of Arc Catholic Church. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
Christine Bailey
Christine Bailey, age 88, of Kokomo, Indiana passed away on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
A memorial gathering for Christine will be held Wednesday, January 22, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home & Cemetery, 2097 West Alto Road, Kokomo, Indiana 46902, followed by a memorial service at 1:00 PM.
Paul Wayne Lavengood
Paul Wayne Lavengood, 93, Peru, passed away at 12:25 p.m. Monday, January 13, 2025, at his home. He was born on September 22, 1931, in Harrison Township, Miami County, to Roy Jennings and Ethel (Riley) Lavengood.
Paul served his country in the United States Army and was a veteran of the Korean War. He was a proud farmer as well as a real estate broker for 48 years. Paul was a member of the Kokomo VFW, past member of Converse Masonic Lodge, Indiana Scottish Rite, Indianapolis Shrine, Peru Elks and Moose lodges, and attended Sherwood Oaks Christian Church.
Paul is survived by a sister, Marilyn Klise, as well as several loving nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews and their families.
He was preceded in death by: his wife Wanda Gail Lavengood; brothers Darlton (Phyllis) and Roy K. (Jean); and brother-in-law, Rex Klise.
Funeral services celebrating Paul’s life will be at noon Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Hasler-Stout Funeral Home, 112 East Main Street, Greentown, with Chaplain Andrew Winey officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Zion Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 10:00 a.m. until service time Saturday at the funeral home. Messages of condolence may be left at www.hasler-stout.com.
David Lynn Ashley
David Lynn Ashley, a man whose wit was as sharp as his intellect, and whose courage was as vast as his library, embarked on his final adventure on January 14, 2025, at the age of 83. Born on October 11, 1941, in the small town of Peru, IN, David's life was a rich tapestry woven with laughter, knowledge, and an unquenchable zest for life. He took his final bow in Kokomo, IN, surrounded by the stories and songs he so dearly loved.
David was the cherished son of Charles and Mabel Ashley, who, along with his brothers Roger and Denny Ashley, had previously taken their leave to prepare the stage for his grand entrance into the great beyond. David's legacy is carried on by his beloved wife of 61 years, Clara Ashley, who was both his muse and his audience, his son Thomas Ashley, and his adoring granddaughter Eelisha Bagy (Chas), who were the most captive audience for his endless tales and jokes. David is also survived by grandchildren Heather Johns, Savannah, and Thomas Ashley, and his six great-grandchildren.
A proud graduate of Peru High School, David further sharpened his mind at Ivy Tech, where he studied Mechanics. His career was as diverse as his interests; he spent 17 years crafting the backbone of industry at Continental Steel, and another 20 years ensuring the gears of Park 100 Foods ran smoothly. David was as reliable in his work as he was in delivering a punchline, and his colleagues often found themselves in stitches from his quick-witted humor.
David's home was akin to a bibliophile's paradise, a veritable warehouse of books where he was the chief archivist and most enthusiastic reader. His love for reading was only matched by his passion for music, a melody that played the soundtrack of his life. Together with Clara, he frequented art museums, where they admired the silent comedy of still canvases and the vibrant monologues of color.
To say David was funny would be an understatement; he was the life of every party, a man who could tickle your funny bone with just a glance. Intelligent beyond measure, he was a walking encyclopedia with a knack for making knowledge as accessible as it was entertaining. Courageous in every aspect, David faced life's challenges with the same bravery as a knight facing a dragon, armed with his sharp wit as his sword and his boundless humor as his shield.
David's life was an open book, each chapter more captivating than the last, filled with laughter, learning, and love. His story may have reached its final page, but his spirit lives on in the echoes of his jokes, the wisdom he imparted, and the memories he created with those who were fortunate enough to share the stage with him.
As the curtain falls on David Lynn Ashley's remarkable life, we celebrate a man who was truly one of a kind. He has left us with a treasure trove of moments that will continue to bring smiles to our faces and warmth to our hearts. David, here's to you, the man who taught us that life, much like a good book, is best enjoyed with a hearty laugh and a curious mind. Curtain call, dear friend, and take your well-deserved bow.
City of Firsts Cremation and Funeral Services by Rose and Geiger was entrusted with the arrangements. www.cityoffirstscremations.com
Jason Anthony LaMott
Jason Anthony LaMott, 48, of Kokomo, passed away on Sunday, January 12, 2025. He was born on May 25, 1976, in Tipton, the son of Anthony LaMott, John Norwich, and Renea (Perkins) Pitcher. On November 6, 1995, he married Liza Pasquale, and she survives.
Jason graduated from Western High School in 1994. He worked as a Team Leader for Stellantis for 30 years. Jason loved camping, sports — especially the Boston Red Sox and the Kansas City Chiefs — and Harley-Davidson. He was a handyman and enjoyed riding and working on motorcycles.
Along with his wife Liza LaMott, Jason is survived by: his sons Dakota Lamott and Chandler LaMott; mother Renea Pitcher; father John Norwich; siblings Derrick Drew and Morgan LaMott; and lifelong friends Tim Killian and Clint Boley.
Jason was preceded in death by his father Anthony LaMott and uncle Michael LaMott.
In keeping with Jason’s wishes, no public services will be held. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.