Dan Thomas Sedberry
Dan Thomas Sedberry, age 75, of Kokomo, IN, passed peacefully in the early morning hours of September 28, 2024, after a very valiant battle. Dan was born to Sidney W. Sedberry, Jr. and Irma L. Sedberry on March 11, 1949.
Dan had an ornery streak that he had to tame in order to secure the hand of the love of his life. He married Rona on February 21, 1970. In their 54 years or marriage (and almost 60 together), they withstood deployments and military life. They raised two sons and set an example of love and endurance. They enjoyed traveling, eating out, camping, and endless home improvement projects.
Dan was proud to fly a Retired U.S. Air Force flag after 32 years of decorated service. Dan joined the Air Force in 1969 and served during the Vietnam War. He did his basic training at Lackland AFB in Texas and Airforce Maintenance Training at Chanute AFB in Illinois. Dan was stationed several places during his service, including Lockbourne AFB in Ohio; Don Maung AFB in Bangkok, Thailand; Andersen AFB in Guam; Clark AFB in the Philippines, Ching Chuan Kang AFB in Taiwan; T-Tapao AFB in Thailand and Kadena AFB in Okinawa. He also made several trips to Saigon, Vietnam. Dan later enlisted in the Air Force Reserves and was deployed to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm.
Dan went on to work for the FAA as an Aviation Safety Inspector for another 16 years after his retirement. Dan loved airplanes, so much so that one of his favorite hobbies was rebuilding planes with his oldest son, Jason. Dan also enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing and camping. He was a seasonal camper with a site connected to his younger son, Jeff, and family. Dan never turned down a chance to sit in a lounge chair next to a campfire.
Anyone that knew Dan knew that his family was a big priority. When his grandkids were younger, Dan prided himself on being a professional baby rocker. It was a hard job, but he was always willing to nap in a recliner with a baby on his chest or a little kid tucked under his arm.
Dan loved to tinker and fix things. He was the go-to guy for many. If he didn’t know how to fix something, he would figure it out – even if that meant some combination of speed tape and caulk. Dan had a love for music, and especially loved playing the guitar and teaching his grandsons how to play. He was often seen wearing a flannel with a cat on his lap. Dan’s sense of humor, infectious laugh and love of buffets will be remembered always.
Dan is survived by his wife, Rona Sedberry; two sons, Jason (Sara) Sedberry of Kokomo, IN and Jeffrey (Joni) Sedberry of Fishers, IN; grandchildren: Christopher (fiancé, Haley Dietzen) Sedberry, Evan (fiancé Grace Atkisson) Sedberry, Marley Darnell-Wright (Ben Paxson), Felicia Wright, Randy Harpel, Leah Sedberry, Mallory Sedberry and Spencer Sedberry; great grandson Emmet Paxson and a sister, Kathleen Sedberry, of Indianapolis, IN, two nieces, a nephew and several cousins. He is proceeded in death by his parents and brother, Michael Sedberry.
Visitation will be 3:00 - 6:00 PM Thursday, October 3, 2024, at Ellers Mortuary & Cremation Center. Funeral services 6:00 PM Thursday, October 3, 2024, at Ellers Mortuary & Cremation Center 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo, Indiana 46902. Burial will be 10:00 AM Friday, October 4, 2024, at Marion National Cemetery, Marion, Indiana. Share a memory with the family at www.ellersmortuary.com. Memorial contributions can be made to the Howard County Humane Society or Experimental Aircraft Association.
Clare (Swihart) Matthews
Clare (Swihart) Matthews, 71, of Kokomo, IN, passed away at 8:19 PM on September 26, 2024, at Community Howard Regional Health with her family by her side. She was born in Kokomo, IN, to Mary and Keith Swihart.
She graduated from Haworth High School in 1972. Clare proudly served as an active-duty Army soldier from 1979-1982 as an E3 in the 66th AG Division. From 1982-1988 she was an Army Reservist in the 199th Supply, and from 1986-2015 she joined the civil service for the 434th Air Refueling Wing, where she then retired.
She loved Jesus, birds, and The Great British Baking Show. She thoroughly enjoyed listening to Vince Gill, eating Cracker Barrel's dumplings and fried apples, where she never failed to say "Yum!" She also enjoyed going on car rides to go get ice cream and spending time with her family.
She is survived by her four children; Jennifer Bowley, Will Matthews, Emily (Colt) McClish, and Marky (Sabrina) Matthews, her grandchildren; Zak (Kayla) Bowley, Anndria (Aaron) Addison, Thor McClish, Aurora McClish, one great grandchild Chance Addison, and her siblings; David (Carol) Swihart, Mary Ann Williams, Tim (Joyce) Swihart, and Jackie Swihart.
She is preceded in death by her parents Mary and Keith Swihart, as well as her brother John Swihart.
A visitation for Clare will be held Monday, October 7, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Ellers Mortuary, 725 S. Main Street, Kokomo, Indiana 46901. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 10:00 AM at Ellers Mortuary. Clare will be laid to rest in Kokomo Memorial Park, 1300 East North Street, Kokomo, Indiana 46901.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Clare's memory may be made to Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, pulmonaryfibrosis.org; and Alzheimer's Foundation, alzfdn.org.