Phillip Paul “Phil” Yoke

Phillip Paul “Phil” Yoke, 83, Kokomo, passed away at 8:15 a.m. Friday, June 14, 2024, at Jefferson Manor in Kokomo. He was born January 5, 1941, in Gas City, IN, the son of the late Paul & Ruby (Harris) Yoke. On January 30, 1971, in New Castle, IN, he married Marcia Hancock who preceded him in death on December 15, 2022.

Phil was a 1959 graduate of Mississinewa High School. He retired from Chrysler Corp in November of 1994 after 30 years of service. He had also worked for Knox Glass Factory and Sears. Phil was a handyman who loved to flip houses and stay busy. He was an avid fan of the Indianapolis Colts and IU basketball.

Phil is survived by his children, Sherry (Robert) Morgan, Anissa Brown, Kimberly (Ryan) Hester and Mike (Barbara) Yoke; grandchildren, Chad Linn, Shaun Linn, Christina Yoke, Seirra Shutt, Zach Yoke, Daria Yoke, Courtney Brown, Cailie Brown, Brian Brown Jr., Makenzie Burton, Austin Burton, Lathan Hester and Lydia Hester; brothers-in-law, David (Nancy) Hancock and Roger Hancock.

Phil was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marcia; sister, Fay Huffman: and Margie (Flay) Lhamon; brothers-in-law, Ronnie Hancock and James Hancock; nephew, David Huffman; and in-laws, Lonnie and Goldie Hancock.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Jefferson Manor and The Care Team Hospice for all of their love, care and compassion to Phil and his family.

A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery, 2097 W. Alto Road, Kokomo, with Pastor Jason Grant officiating. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.

Philip Kyle Degler

On Saturday, June 15, 2024, the communities of Elwood and Tipton mourned the loss of Philip Kyle Degler, aged 40, in a tragic traffic accident in Tipton County. He was born on May 11, 1984, in Tipton. Kyle was a previous resident of Sharpsville and Greensburg before his untimely passing.

Known affectionately as Kyle to his friends and colleagues (and Mr. Degler to his fortunate students), he dedicated the last six years of his life to educating young minds at Tipton Middle School, where he also served as the football coach. Additionally, he lent his voice talents as the public address announcer for the Tipton High School Lady Devils Basketball Team.

Kyle was an alumnus of Tri-Central High School from the Class of 2002, where he excelled both on the football field and as Senior Class President. Continuing his academic journey at Indiana University-Kokomo, Kyle graduated in 2006. In his leisure time, he found joy in rooting for the Colts during football season and cheering on IU Basketball. Kyle shared memorable moments attending 311 Concerts with Jimmy and Mary and embraced recreational activities like golf and playing XBox. Kyle’s absolute favorite activity was spending time with his children; they were the center of his life.

Left to cherish Kyle's memory are his parents Marita and Joe Stull of Elwood, Indiana, his father Carl Degler of Cape Coral, Florida; his three adored children: Elizabeth Grace Degler (age 11), Elyse Jane Degler (age 6), and Easton Wayne Degler (age 5); sisters Kaitlyn and Travis Kramer of Frankfort and Jessica Degler; Jessica's fiancé John Magallanes of Noblesville; nieces and nephew Caralinne (age 10), Finnleigh (age 8), and Waylon Kramer (age 7). His memory is further honored by his maternal grandparents Max & Vera Scott of Kokomo and paternal grandparents Bill & Cherry Degler of Kokomo, Indiana. He is also survived by the mother of his children Sarah Degler; Sarah’s parents Bob & Suzie Studler of Shelbyville; and her brother Sam Studler and wife Sydney and their children Marshall and Mosely.

A memorial service to celebrate Kyle's life will take place on Thursday, June 20, at 7:00 p.m. at the Tipton School auditorium under the guidance of Rev. Mandie Gould Willoughby. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects between 2:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Thursday at the auditorium. Attendees are kindly requested to access the complex from drive 4 off of Park Road to park in back and use door G next to the auditorium for entry during the visitation or service period.

Memorial denotations to honor Kyle should be made to the Degler Kids College Memorial Fund % First Farmers Bank & Trust, 825 W. Jefferson Street, Tipton, Indiana, 46072. Condolences for Kyle’s family may be left on his obituary page at Young-Nichols Funeral Home, www.young-nichols.com.

Helen Marie (Stout) Finch

Helen Marie (Stout) Finch, 83, of Kokomo, passed away 11:20 p.m. Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Ascension St. Vincent – Kokomo. She was born in Tazewell, Virginia, on January 22, 1941, the daughter of the late Daniel and Rubie (Hawkins) Stout. She was married to Bascom Finch for 20 years, and they raised three sons together.

Helen attended Kokomo High School. She was self-employed and cleaned homes and offices for over 40 years. Helen lived in rural Russiaville for 55 years and loved being out in the country. She later moved to Howard Haven Residential Center in Kokomo. She attended St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Kokomo. She was a homebody who enjoyed watching television shows like “Big Brother” or anything that was on the Game Show Network. Helen found joy in mowing her yard.

Helen is survived by her sons, Randy Finch, Kokomo, Brian Finch, Kokomo, Tony (Lisa) Finch, Russiaville; grandchildren, Justin (Lisa) Finch, Elwood, Derrick Finch, Zachary Finch, Atlanta, Jodee Finch, Kokomo, Casey (Karim) Arqawi, Noblesville, Alex Finch, Russiaville; 11 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; sister, Joann Bowman, Flora; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Faye Stout; brother-in-law, Jim Bowman; and father of her sons, Bascom Finch.

Helen’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Howard Haven and Elite Home Healthcare for the excellent care that she received.

A graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 21, 2024, at Russiaville Cemetery with Pastor Billy Martin officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Helen’s memory to Howard Haven Residential Center in Kokomo. Stout & Son Funeral Home – Russiaville Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements.

Robert Albert Mund

Robert Albert Mund, age 77, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away on Thursday, June 13, 2024. Robert was born in Winamac, Indiana.

A memorial visitation for Robert will be held Friday, June 21, 2024, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Ellers Mortuary & Crematory Center, 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo, Indiana 46902, followed by a celebration of life with military honors at 5:00 PM.

Jordan Lee Jostes

Jordan Lee Jostes, born on November 19, 1983, in Crown Point, IN, was a strong man. If you were his friend, and he was in the room, you felt safe. A peaceful life wasn’t quite enough for Jordan. He would have called it boring. Jordan died on June 11, 2024, in Peru, IN, leaving many years before he should have.

Jordan’s early life was spent in Cown Point, IN, eventually working in the family tree care business. A bigger tree, a taller climb, he would have always been up for the challenge. Ultimately, this did not offer the adventure he sought, and he soon started pursuing work as a correctional officer, an EMT, and finally a fireman, as a volunteer in Cedar Lake, IN, and a professional in South Bend, IN. After this desirable career ended, he sought work as a professional driver. Suffering through the early years of gaining experience, he was eventually able to make a decent job out of it, working for a variety of companies, most notably as a flatbed driver, which was harder work, but Jordan was not one to mind that.

Jordan loved adventure. Why would someone choose to sleep in a cave on a cliffside of the family’s favorite state park? Or spend a night on a boardwalk in the Everglades, with nothing but a sleeping bag and Bowie knife? Pursue SCUBA diving, when the air is just fine up here? We might not have answers for all that, but that was Jordan. He also had an unusual ability to recall specific dates, facts, and details regarding historical events and figures. He would eagerly share these with those who had an interest.

From his late teens on, he aspired to be a powerlifter, which is something he achieved handsomely. He looked for any opportunity to use his strength to serve others, especially the disadvantaged. Jordan believed in a high moral code of honor and self-sacrifice, though he struggled to live up to such standards. He was generous with his friends to the point of being vulnerable, despite his intimidating stature. Jordan knew little fear, which can be a dangerous way to live.

Jordan was especially fond of his little brother, Cody Jostes. He was proceeded in death by his infant sister, Jessica. He is survived by his grandmother Carrie Schut, father Paul Jostes, mother Yvonne Jostes, brother and sister-in-law Cody and Rachel Jostes, many aunts and uncles, his children Brody, Genesis, Michael, Reagan, and Natalee. Jordan was married three times.

The person Jordan Jostes could have been will be dearly missed and mourned. If Jordan left a legacy, it’s one of a life not lived. Days that were never spent doing things that could have been done. Jordan’s immediate family believe they will see him again, as a man free from vice, strong of body and mind, and ready for an adventure.