Rev. Richard E. Kiser
Rev. Richard E. Kiser, 94, of Kokomo was called home by his Lord on Friday, August 18, 2023. He was born January 7, 1929 to the late Earl Kiser and Ada (Miller) Kiser. On May 6, 1950 at Monroe, Indiana he married Betty Lou Conkle who has preceded in him death.
He was a Korean War Veteran, serving on the U.S.S. Winston, AKA-94, and had an Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Navy on June 6, 1952. He retired from Continental Steel Corporation after 30 years of service as an assistant superintendent of stores.
He had a prison ministry at Pendelton Prison for eight years.
In December 1972 he formed the ORISSA PROJECT, a non-profit organization for work in Orissa, India. Since then, there have been two children's homes built in Orissa. Also, BETTY'S DAY CARE in Kangayam, Tamil Nadu, along with having a Christian Bookstore in Orissa for twenty-eight years.
In May of 1979 he and his wife Betty, were both ordained by the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel and commissioned as founding missionaries to Sri-Lanka and India where they served for eight and a half years.
There are now 1,865 Foursquare Gospel Churches in Sri-Lanka, a Bible College, training centers for widows and centers for children with special needs. Along with a newly constructed Kiser Conference Center and Campground.
Upon returning from the mission field he became a charter member of the Family of God Foursquare Church, where he served in many various capacities including that of Associate Pastor for a while. He also served as office manager at Morningstar Church.
He has been involved for many years in Christian Counseling, Demonic Deliverance, and Spiritual house cleansings. In July 2005 he became a member of Woodland Church of God.
He was preceded in death by a son, Hollis Kiser; two sisters, Mary Ives and Thelma Padfield; two brothers, Donald Kiser and Robert Kiser.
He is survived by son, David (Mae) Kiser; daughter, Anna (Steven) Aichele; five grandchildren, Nicole Kiser, Jennifer Kiser, Heather Kiser, Katherine (Robert) Kleinschnitz, Steven Kiser; eleven great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and honorary son, Rajah Kanagarajah.
Visitation will take place at Woodland Church of God, 3401 S Webster St, Kokomo, IN 46902 on Wed., Aug. 23, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm with services immediately following with Pastors Michael Alley and Terry Jones officiating. In lieu of flowers, please direct memorial contributions to the Kiser Conference Center and Campground in Sri-Lanka (Make all checks payable to Anna Aichele). Burial will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery, Greentown, Indiana. Share a memory with the family at www.ellersmortuary.com.
Plezy “Pete” Herman Wood
Plezy “Pete” Herman Wood, 93, Kokomo, passed away at 9:40 am on Friday, August 18, 2023, at his home. He was born in Luttrell, TN on November 24, 1929, to the late Plezy and Pearl A. (Williams) Wood. On March 30, 1957, in Kokomo, he married Dorothy Brewer, and she survives.
Pete enlisted in the United States Army in 1953 and earned the rank of Corporal. He served during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged in 1954. He worked for Cuneo Press from 1952-1979. He then went to work at Haynes International as an Assistant Furnace Operator, and in 1991, he retired after 12 years of service. Pete was a Charter member of Bethel Tabernacle. He volunteered for the Red Cross, and was a driver for the VA, taking veterans to the Marion VA. He loved fishing and enjoyed teaching his grandchildren how to wash their cars.
Along with his wife Dorothy, Pete is survived by his children, Nancy (Brian) Sanderson, Dennis (Megan) Wood, and Tony Wood; grandchildren, Michael Cross, Kori Wood, Dustin Wood, and Jessica Wood; great grandchildren, Josiah Cross, Alex Cross, Nicole Cross, Annabelle Hintz, Addi Wood, Bentley Wood, Damien Wood, and Odin Legan; great great grandchildren, Allison Cross and Claire Cross; siblings, Joyce (Barney) Barnett and Lester (Judith) Wood; and nephew, Richard Clay Wood.
He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, Clay Wood, Gene Wood, Ruby Miller, Mildred Carden, and Jim Wood; mother & father-in-law, Jesse and Elsie Brewer.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at Bethel Tabernacle, 661 West 400 South, Kokomo. Entombment will follow in Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery, where military honors will be provided by the United States Army and the Kokomo VFW Military Rites Team. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Tuesday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Bethel Tabernacle. Shirley & Stout Funeral Homes has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.