Z’ylla Lotte Becraft

Z’ylla Lotte Becraft, 1 month, Kokomo, passed away on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis. She was born January 1, 2025, in Indianapolis, the daughter of Devontize Phillips & Brianna Becraft.

Z’ylla will be missed by her parents Devontize (Samari Copprue) Phillips and Brianna (Timothy Moore) Becraft, siblings Devontize Phillips Jr., Devari Phillips, Zi’air Becraft, Daylan Phillips, and Jy’ree Harmon-Becraft, grandparents Lori Green, Otis (Rita) Green, and Tashema Maddox, great-grandmother Breanda Bennett, aunts and uncles Christopher (Molly) Becraft, De’aolo Nelson, and Detario Scott, along with lots of cousins, and God-mom Erica Nelson.

Z’ylla was greeted in Heaven by her great-grandparents Irmgard & Hehttps://www.shirleyandstout.comrbert Becraft and Diane Harris.

A funeral service will take place at 3 p.m., Monday, February 17, 2025, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo. Friends may visit the family from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

William "Bill" Mahlon Overholser

William "Bill" Mahlon Overholser, age 90, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Bill was born July 30, 1934, in his family home in Henry County, Indiana, to the late Mahlon and Amy Overholser.

Bill served proudly in the U.S. Army from 1957-1959. He married Jane Golladay, and together they raised two children, Mahlon "Jay" and Jody. Bill was a hard worker. He was a devoted employee to several construction companies and factories over the years, including Cuneo Press and A.D Weiss. In retirement, Bill maintained a strict exercise routine which included walking the Markland Mall. He was easy going and never let anything get to him. He enjoyed the occasional football or baseball game on TV, but above all Bill was a family man. He was a devout father — a.k.a. "Pops" — husband, and Christian. He attended New Life Church in previous years.

Bill is survived by his children Mahlon Jay Overholser (Christy) and Jody Crow (Richard), grandchildren David Hinkle (Sybil), Joshua Hinkle (Sherry), Natasha Everling (Michael), Stephanie Overholser, Deborah Atwood (Chris), Brittany Sinning (Grant), and Richard Crow Jr. (Katie), 17 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Bill is preceded in death by his loving wife Jane Overholser, sister Joanne Peffley, brothers-in-law Jewel Peffley and Rev. James McCauley, and niece Debra McCauley-Julinano.

A visitation for Bill will be held Tuesday, February 18, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Ellers Mortuary & Crematory Center, 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo, Indiana 46902, followed by a funeral service at 1:00 PM. Bill will be laid to rest in Albright Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bill's memory may be made to New Life Church, 1803 E Vaile Ave., Kokomo, Indiana 46901.

Sandy “Sam” Jo (Mirdo) Smith

Sandy “Sam” Jo (Mirdo) Smith, 74, formerly of Russiaville, passed away Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at Our Lady of Lakes Hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She was born in Evansville, IN, on July 22, 1950, the daughter of the late Joseph and Olivia (Jarrett) Mirdo. On January 18, 1969, she married Stephen A. Smith in Kokomo, IN, and he preceded her in death on April 15, 2018. After Stephen’s passing, Sandy reconnected with her high school sweetheart Timothy Damon. They were happily engaged, and he survives.

Sandy was a 1968 graduate of Kokomo High School. She was a homemaker and took great pride in caring for her husband and their children. There were several other people who claimed her and referred to her as mom. Sandy always looked for opportunities to laugh and crack a joke. She had the best sarcasm and sense of humor. Her favorite hobbies were reading, traveling, sewing, and crafting. She appreciated time spent with her family and their weekly karaoke trips. Sandy was a former member of Main Street Christian Church in Russiaville.

Sandy is survived by her children Scott (Kristina Button) Smith, Shad (Jennifer) Smith, and Sarah (John) Morgan, fiancé Timothy Damon, grandchildren Shai (Maddie) Smith, Dakota Smith, Eli Morgan, and Leah Morgan, and great-grandchildren, Bentley Bullock and Blakely Smith.

She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Olivia Mirdo, and husband Stephen Smith.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at Stout & Son Funeral Home – Russiaville Chapel, 200 E. Main St., Russiaville, IN 46979. Funeral service will begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home, with Pastor Bill Duncan officiating. Burial will take place in Marion National Cemetery at 11 a.m. on Friday February 21, 2025. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.stoutandson.com.

Coleman Leroy Wagner, Jr.

Coleman Leroy Wagner, Jr. passed away at home on Sunday, February 9, 2024, at the age of 54. He was born on June 2, 1970, in Tipton County to Coleman L. “Leroy” and Sandra Lee (Utsler) Wagner. Both of his parents preceded him in death.

Coleman did not belong to any organizations, but he knew everyone. He could talk to anyone and was usually trying to sell them something at the same time. In the same breath, he would want to give you something for free he thought you might need.

He was always horse trading, either to sell something or to acquire something. He absolutely loved to barter! Coleman had a true gift as a salesman. His front yard had many of his finds displayed, and to him it looked very beautiful. But, to his neighbors, it looked crowded. Luckily Coleman had some very understanding neighbors. He would drive his car with no brakes and wondered why none of us would trade vehicles for the day.

To say Coleman was a character is an understatement – he was kind and caring and stubborn and infuriating. He would love you with all his heart and then turn around and make you angry in the same breath. He survived a motorcycle accident that should have killed him and a van accident that just added to his tough man stories. He was who he was and expected you to take him AS IS!

Coleman had four children whom he loved dearly and one grandson he was just getting to know. And we can’t forget about his dog Sugar who he doted upon before she passed away.

Survivors include: his children Brandon Ward and Tristan Ward, both of Tipton, Kyleigh (Ward) DeLaTorre and husband Diego of El Reno, Oklahoma, and Skylier Ward; his grandson Marco DeLaTorre; two sisters Shanna Humphries and husband Sam of Houma, Louisiana and Tiffany Wagner of Choctaw, Oklahoma; and one brother-in-law Jason Cunningham of Sharpsville. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Dana Cunningham.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, February 20, at the 7:30 p.m. at the Sharpsville United Methodist Church with Pastor Heather Holman presiding. Visitation will be from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Coleman will be buried in Greendale Cemetery in Osgood on Friday, February 21.

Young-Nichols Funeral Home is honored to assist the Wagner family at this time. Online condolences for Coleman’s family may be made on his obituary page at www.young-nichols.com.

Coleman was very grumpy and opinionated but had a heart four sizes bigger than it should have been. He will be missed, and the show has ended for now.

Clona Melissa Nelson

Clona Melissa Nelson, 53, Kokomo, passed away at 9:55 a.m. Sunday, February 9, 2025, at her home. She was born November 21, 1971, in Kokomo, the daughter of Frank Workman Sr. and Gloria (Collins) Shelby. On October 15, 2015, she married David Nelson, and he survives.

A loving and genuine person, Melissa enjoyed cookouts and spending time with her family. She enjoyed sports, especially the Tennessee Titans and NASCAR. True to her character, Melissa was a fighter and courageously beat breast cancer.

She is survived by her dad Sherman Shelby, husband David Nelson, son Alex Acosta, stepchildren Luke Nelson, David (Marie) Nelson, and Maggie (TJ) Sears-Nelson, grandchildren Rylan, Ava, Blake, Bella, and Eli, brothers Larry (Stacy) Shelby and Frankie Workman, lifetime best friend Tracy Warner, many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as precious pets Kyubi and Stormie.

She was preceded in death by her father Frank Workman Sr. and mom Gloria Shelby.

Services celebrating Melissa’s life will be at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, February 22, 2025, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 West Lincoln Road. Friends may visit with the family from 1:00 p.m. until service time Saturday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in Melissa’s name to Susan G. Komen for the cure fund for breast cancer. Messages of condolence may be left at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Bari Ann (Bartley) Brown

Bari Ann (Bartley) Brown, 61, passed away Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at home. She was born June 25, 1963, in Kokomo, Indiana. She was the daughter of Tommie and Delores (Wiman) Bartley. Bari graduated from Haworth High School in 1981.

Bari married Donald D. Brown on September 26, 1998, and he passed away on March 31, 2018. She retired from Kokomo Casting Plant in 2024.

Surviving are her mother Delores “Dee” Bartley, brother Bradley Max Bartley, aunt Carol Bartley, and good friends Missy and Jr. O’Neal.

Bari was preceded in death by her husband Don, father Tom Bartley, brother Brian M. Bartley, maternal grandparents Max and Mary Wiman, and paternal grandparents Ralph and Maude Bartley.

Bari loved her dogs, Lucy, Gracie, and Roxie, and they were her life companions.

In keeping with Bari's wishes, no services will be held. A private entombment will take place in Sunset Memory Gardens Cemetery at a later date. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kokomo Humane Society. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.