Darlene Downing Overdorf, Kristina Jean Menefee, Maggie Lee Hart, Teresa J. Thompson, Brenda M. Hensley, Rosalie Klotz
Darlene Downing Overdorf
Darlene Downing Overdorf, 89 of Cicero, passed away on Monday, March 10, 2025, at The Waters of Tipton. Darlene was born in Elwood on July 27, 1935, to Samuel Garver & Jessie (Jordan) Downing. She married Walter Clyde “Walt” Overdorf on June 5, 1953, and they were married for 69 years until his passing on October 20, 2022.
Darlene had worked in Food Service for the Hamilton Heights School Corporation. She was a graduate of Windfall High School in the Class of 1953. Darlene was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Tipton and served as a Deacon and also sang in the choir. She was a member of the Helping Hands Extension Homemakers and enjoyed reading, crocheting, and doing word-search puzzles.
Survivors include her three children Jill Overdorf Leach of Cicero, Bradley Overdorf of Noblesville, and Wade Overdorf and wife Rhonda of Cicero, seven grandchildren Beth Overdorf Cline, John Leach, Allen Overdorf, Stephen Overdorf, Joe Overdorf, Elizabeth Ann Davis, and Rachel Netherton, as well as several great-grandchildren.
Darlene’s funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 14, at the First Presbyterian Church in Tipton with Pastor Phil Votaw presiding. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Tipton. Visitation will be from 12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m. Friday at the Church.
Young-Nichols Funeral Home is honored to assist the Overdorf family in their time of need. Condolences for the family may be left on Darlene’s obituary page at www.young-nichols.com. Memorial donations in honor of Darlene should be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 200 W. Jefferson Street, Tipton, Indiana, 46072.
Darlene’s family would like to thank the staff at Miller’s Merry Manor/The Waters of Tipton for the excellent care they provided her over the last several years.
Kristina Jean Menefee
Kristina Jean Menefee, 39, of Galveston, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, March 9, 2025, at her home. She was born September 18, 1985, in Kokomo to James E. Mehring and Mychelle E. (Proffitt) Roberson.
Kristina graduated from Lewis Cass High School in 2005. Kristina never met a stranger and was willing to talk to anyone about anything. She was a dedicated, loving, and committed mother who loved her kids with all her heart and would do anything for them. Kristina loved all children so much that she became a daycare teacher.
She is survived by her children Ruby and Remington, and her parents, Jim (Tonya) Mehring of Avon and Mychelle (John) Roberson of Galveston. She is also survived by her sisters Heather (Austin) Meissnest of Galveston and Jennifer (Amber) Mehring of Galveston, “Special Sister” Erin Nowak, and Kristina’s boyfriend Christopher Durant. Several nieces and nephews also survive. She is preceded in death by her grandparents.
Visitation will be held Friday, March 14, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. with memorial service to follow at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Brent Cripe officiating. Memorial contributions may be given for a trust fund to be set up for her children. Murray Weaver Funeral Home is honored to serve Kristina’s family. www.murrayweaverfuneralhome.com
Maggie Lee Hart
Maggie Lee Hart, age 94, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away on Saturday, March 8, 2025.
A time of visitation for Maggie will be held Saturday, March 15, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Ellers Mortuary & Crematory Center, 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo, Indiana 46902, followed by a funeral service at 4:00 PM.
Teresa J. Thompson
Teresa J. Thompson, a cherished soul known for her loving nature and courageous spirit, passed away peacefully in her hometown of Kokomo, IN, on March 7, 2025, at the age of 53. Born on May 12, 1971, in the very same city, Teresa's life was a testament to the strength and resilience of the human heart.
A proud graduate of Kokomo High School, Teresa embraced the role of a homemaker with grace and dedication. Her life was a beautiful tapestry woven with the love and care she provided to her family and friends. Teresa found joy in the simple pleasures of life; she was an avid puzzle enthusiast, and her love for card games and board games brought laughter and happiness to many a family gathering.
Teresa's life was marked by the immense love she had for her family. She was a devoted mother to her children Tamra (Breanna) Thompson, Derik (Roslin) Thompson, and Dustin Ryker. Her role as a grandmother was one she cherished deeply, and she showered her grandchildren — Case Thompson, Beau Thompson, Gabrielle, Penelope, Ivy, Octavia, and Anastaisa Ryker — with affection and wisdom. Though she was preceded in death by her mother Antia Ryker, sister Tonya Ryker-Hogan, and her grandchild Bryar Thompson, the legacy of love they shared continues to live on through her brothers Robert and Gerry Ryker and her half-sister Kristi Ryker.
Teresa's capacity for friendship knew no bounds, and she formed an unbreakable bond with her close friends Patty and her nurse Amy, who stood by her through the seasons of life. Her home was a welcoming haven, reflecting her nature as a homebody who found contentment within the walls of her abode and the company she kept.
Those who knew Teresa would describe her as the embodiment of thoughtfulness. Her ability to listen and provide a comforting presence was a gift to all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her courage was quietly powerful, inspiring those around her to face life's challenges with a sense of hope and resilience.
As we bid farewell to Teresa J. Thompson, we celebrate a life lived with purpose and love. Her spirit, a guiding light of warmth and kindness, will continue to shine in the hearts of all who were touched by her presence. Teresa's memory will be cherished and honored as a reminder of the profound impact one life can have on so many.
Teresa's journey on earth may have concluded, but the echoes of her laughter, the wisdom of her words, and the comfort of her embrace will remain as indelible marks on the lives of those she loved. Let us hold her memory close and find solace in the knowledge that her legacy of love will endure for generations to come. A gathering of friends and family will be held at City of Firsts Cremation & Funeral Services at 132 W. Morgan St. in Kokomo from 3 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2025.
City of Firsts Cremation and Funeral Services by Rose and Geiger was entrusted with the arrangements. www.cityoffirstscremations.com
Brenda M. Hensley
Brenda M. Hensley, 75, of Mexico, Indiana, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, March 6, 2025, at her home. She was born May 23, 1949, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, to Audi E. Hinesley and Mary Belle (Easter) Powell. She married Roger Hensley, and he preceded her in death Feb. 3, 2002. Brenda was a homemaker but had also worked as a special education assistant and volunteered at the Greentown Public Library.
Brenda enjoyed reading, working crossword puzzles, and putting together jigsaw puzzles. Her grandkids were her pride and joy, and she loved spending time with them. She often joked she was the Cone Palace’s best customer and enjoyed stopping by as often as she could. She was also a huge fan of McAlister’s sweet tea.
Surviving family include her children Brent (Angie) Hensley of Kokomo, Heather (Paul) Ramirez of Peru, and Seth (Jennie) Hensley of Roseburg, Oregon. Her grandchildren include Jacob (Sam) Hensley, Bailey (Dillion) Mongosa, Kendall (Caleb) Gibson, Will (Brelynn) Hensley, Breyton Hensley, Nathan Ramirez, and Zene Ramirez. Her great grandchildren are Linkyn Hensley, Maxine Hensley, Casen Gibson, Landry Gibson, Decklyn Magnet, Brixton Hensley, Ayla Mongosa, and Tate Mongosa. She is also survived by one brother Larry and wife Michelle Hinesley. Brenda is preceded in death by her parents, husband Roger, and her in-laws.
A celebration of her life will be held at 5:00 p.m. Sunday, March 16, 2025, at Murray Weaver Funeral Home in Galveston with good friend Mark Chambers officiating. Visitation with family and friends will take place from 2:00 p.m. until service time at 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
In memory of Brenda, memorial contributions can be made to the Greentown Public Library, 421 S. Harrison St. Greentown, IN. 46936. Murray Weaver Funeral Home is honored to serve the Hensley family. www.murrayweaverfuneralhome.com
Rosalie Klotz
Rosalie Klotz passed away peacefully on March 11, 2025, in her hometown of Logansport, IN, at the age of 93. Born on November 9, 1931, to Donald C. Thomas and Maud M. Thomas, Rosalie's life was dedicated to her family and her many passions.
Rosalie's journey began in Logansport, where she grew up surrounded by the love of her parents and siblings. She graduated from Logansport High School with the Class of 1949 and went on to attend beauty school. Rosalie's career was as diverse as it was fulfilling; she worked as a beautician, lent her talents to the telephone company GTE, Daniel Webster as the noon aide in the cafeteria, Hendricks Printing, Smith Office, and Barton’s.
She was a long-standing member of the Main Street United Methodist Church, where she found spiritual solace and fellowship. Her love for quilting and sewing was not just a hobby but a way to connect with others, sharing her intricate works of art and her skills with those around her. Embroidery and crafting were among her favorite pastimes, and she was known for her impressive collection of strawberry-themed items.
Rosalie's love for entertainment was evident in her fondness for soap operas, Steve Harvey, Wheel of Fortune, and Jeopardy. She was an avid crossword puzzle enthusiast, finding joy and challenge in the twists and turns of each new puzzle. Her competitive spirit shone brightly during her many years of playing cards, a pastime that brought her together with friends and allowed her to forge lasting memories.
Family was the cornerstone of Rosalie's life. She is survived by her loving children Jayne Baber (Bob) and Joyce (Krathwohl) Gebhardt, her cherished grandchildren Donald Baber (Krista), Marie Scott, Crystal Mackey (Dave), Wally Gebhardt (Amanda), Joe and Dave Mackey, Aaron Gebhardt (Lindsay), Brandon Bonnell (Jessica), Allison Maxon (Jerry), and Kimberly Jayne Rose, and her adored great-grandchildren Izzy Smith, John Scott, Hayden Mackey, Adrienne Scott, Bacy Bonnell, Lyla Gebhardt, Riley Maxon, Eli Gebhardt, Olivia Maxon, Chase and Parker Baber, Daisy Jayne Rose, Josephine Gebhardt, Jacob Maxon, and Wally Gebhardt III.
Rosalie was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband and father to her children Donald Krathwohl, her second husband Donald Klotz, her children Joe Krathwohl, Jeri Bonnell, and Janice Lane, and her siblings Betty Delp, Jeanne Raber, Donna Berry, and Midge Ellis.
Described by those who knew her as loving, courageous, and friendly, Rosalie was a great mother whose legacy will live on through the generations. Her grandchildren will forever cherish the memories of the best Christmas Eves, complete with the fun and excitement of BINGO.
Her memory will be treasured by all who had the privilege of knowing her, and her spirit will continue to inspire those she has left behind.
City of Firsts Cremation and Funeral Services by Rose and Geiger was entrusted with the arrangements. www.cityoffirstscremations.com