Donna Sue Copeland

Donna Sue Copeland, 77, a lifelong resident of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away on Wednesday, October 9, 2024. She was born December 15, 1946, to the late Clyde and Esther Glassburn.

Donna married Mitchell Copeland Sr., and together they lived a full life together of antiquing, thrifting, and refurbishing furniture until his passing. Donna was a true animal lover. She made a hobby out of catching feral cats and finding them homes. She paid to have hundreds of cats spayed/neutered in hopes of helping lower the population of outside cats. She was kind to everyone and would do anything for you. She was a great cook and an even better mother.

She is survived by her loving daughter Traci Copeland, siblings; Julia Welsh and Jack Glassburn, grandchildren; Joseph Sexton, Alex Copeland, and Emily Copeland, and great grandchildren; Zoey Sexton and Madeline Sexton.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Mitchell Copeland Sr., son Mitchell Copeland II, and her sisters; Dixie Meyers and Diana Diekneit.

A graveside service for Donna will be held Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 12:00 PM at Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery, 2097 West Alto Road, Kokomo, Indiana 46902.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Donna's memory may be made to the ASPCA, a foundation dear to her heart.

Nancy Ellen Henson

Nancy Ellen Henson, age 85, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away on Sunday, October 13, 2024. She was born to Gerald and Ruth Shuck on June 7, 1939, in Tipton, Indiana. She graduated Prairie High School in 1957, and went on to marry Billy Munroe Henson in April of 1958. They had four children. She was a member of the Ladies’ Eagles Auxiliary Club for over 30 years. She was a jokester to all, and was ornery, but she loved and was entirely devoted to her family. She enjoyed bowling, motorcycle riding, playing pool and euchre, crocheting, and anything relating to her Native American heritage. Nancy enjoyed traveling with her husband and children, as a military wife, and camping across Europe.

She is survived by her children, Christie L. Cox, William (Deana) Henson, Sandy K. Henson, and Lori Henson; siblings, David (Mary Ann) Shuck, Gerald (Pam) Shuck, Ronnie Shuck, and Deana Sue (Alan) Foutch; as well as 14 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren.

Nancy was preceded in death by her husband, Billy M. Henson; her parents, Gerald and Ruth; her son, Timothy D. Henson; sister-in-law, Judy Shuck; 3 grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

There will be a time of visitation on Thursday, October 17, from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. at Ellers Mortuary, 725 S. Main St., Kokomo. A funeral service will be held Friday, October 18, at 11 a.m., also at the Main Street location. Nancy will be laid to rest at Normandy Cemetery immediately following the service.

Marilyn and Dallas Etchison

A celebration of the lives of Marilyn and Dallas Etchison will take place on October 19. Family and friends are invited to stop by anytime from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., with a special time for sharing memories scheduled for 4:00 p.m. The event will be held at The Barn at Homestead Farm, (unheated so please dress accordingly in casual clothes) located at 6733 West, State Road 28 in Tipton, Indiana, with light hors d'oeuvres and beverages being served. Dallas and Marilyn will be laid to rest together in the Tetersburg Cemetery.

Linda D. Prickett

Linda D. Prickett, 75 of Converse, Indiana, died peacefully at her daughter's home on October 15, 2024. She was a lifelong resident of Amboy and Converse. Linda was born in Peru, Indiana, on October 28, 1948. Her parents were Verne and Hazel (Givens) Bowman. She married Kenny Prickett on April 7, 1972. He preceded her in death on January 23, 2020.

Linda had a long career working in the license branch, assisting Hoosiers with their automobile license needs. She was a member of the Converse United Methodist Church where she spent many years making quilts and homemade noodles with the ladies’ group. The funds raised from these activities assisted with the ladies’ group outreach programs.

Linda enjoyed living on the Miami County side, the small community where she spent countless walks around the town with her favorite guy "Doug the Pug." She was always ready for the next road trip or day adventure with her beloved K.P. before his passing. Her daily breakfasts and outings with her best friends were cherished memories. Survivors include her children Andrew Prickett of Amboy, Indiana, and the mother of his children, Tishia Prickett, Carmen Prickett of North Grove, Indiana, and Angela (Mark) Meister of Tipton, Indiana. Her siblings include James C. Bowman (Billie) of Amboy and Carolyn S. Manning (Phil) of Columbia City. Grandchildren include Lydia (Jacob) Christy, Abigail Tanton, Isabel Meister, Elliott Meister, Ryan Prickett, Andrew Hiatt Prickett, Oaklee Prickett, Emmy (Cory) Wang, Levi (Haley) Titus, Cayden (Morgan) Prickett, and Kyle (Shannon) Titus. Linda's great-grandchildren are: Alexander Christy, Mason Christy, Emmett Christy, Finnlee Henry, Colt Wang, Katelyn Wang, Hudson Titus, Avery Titus, Aria Titus, Octavia Titus, KK Titus, and KJ Titus.

A memorial celebration will be held on Friday, October 25, at 2:00 p.m. at the Converse United Methodist Church with Rev. Randy Smoot presiding. A family burial at Converse Cemetery will follow the service. The family will receive friends from 12:00 noon until service time on Friday at the church. Memorial donations may be made to the Converse Historical Society, 109 E Wabash Street, Converse, Indiana, 46919 or the Wabash Animal Shelter, 810 Manchester Ave., Wabash, Indiana, 46992.

Young-Nichols Funeral Home is honored to assist the Prickett family in their time of need.

Ashley Nicole Porter

Ashley Nicole Porter, age 34, of Wabash, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 13, 2024, with her loving family by her side. Ashley was born on August 8, 1990, to her parents, Charles Porter and Kimberly (Moser) Stout.

Ashley graduated from Wabash High School in the class of 2008. Ashley served for a short time in the United States Army and was very proud of her service. She also held jobs as a caregiver and was quite gifted with children.

Ashley was a free spirit. She was always finding an excuse to have a party and bring her loved ones together. She enjoyed roller skating, relaxing at the beach (she loved the water), and cuddling with her animals. More than anything, Ashley was incredibly family oriented, and her kids were her whole world. Her love is sure to follow them for the rest of their lives.

Ashley has not only been an inspiration to her family, but also to friends and acquaintances. She fought a cancer battle for nearly six years. Her will and determination have been incredibly impactful. Ashley’s example to continue fighting even when things seemed too hard will forever encourage those who knew and loved her.

Those left to carry on Ashley’s legacy of love are her parents, Charles Porter, Kim (Randal) Stout; children, Autumn Marie Hall, Kyrie Elaine Hensley, James Denim Hensley; sister, Sherri (Paul) Vasquez; nephews, Michael and Mark; niece, Lily; and boyfriend, Matt Cole.

Ashley was welcomed into Heaven by her brother, Michael Ryan Porter.

A private family service was held for Ashley, and burial will take place at a later time. Information will be updated here when available.

Taylor & Cowan Funeral Home is honored to serve the Porter family in their time of need.

Brad Lee Oldfather

Brad Lee Oldfather, a man who painted life with vibrant humor and joy, left the canvas of this world on October 13, 2024, at the age of 68. Born on July 16, 1956, in the small town of Peru, Indiana. His final curtain call came in Indianapolis, IN, with his family by his side.

The son of Verlin F. "Bud" and Thelma Wanneetah (Flemming) Oldfather, Brad was a twin, a brother, and a friend who navigated life with a lightness that belied the depth of his character. He was the sibling who could turn family gatherings into comedy specials, much to the delight of his sister Cindy Catron, and the late Verlin "Buddy" Oldfather, twin Chad Oldfather, and Debra Neuhauser. Brad's legacy of laughter lives on through his children, Amber White and Aaron Oldfather (Beth), and his adoring twin granddaughters, Madisyn and Malorey White and Hailey Oldfather, nieces and nephews, along with his lifelong friends Bob Nolan, John Ingram, and Tony Graves, Sr.

A proud graduate of Maconaquah High School, he spent several years at Millbank manufacturing, crafting not just products but friendships. Brad clocked out from Delco GM/Delphi in 2005, but he never retired from his true vocation: being the life of the party.

Brad was an artist in more ways than one. His oil paintings and charcoal drawings were as expressive as his personality, capturing the world in a way that only he could see it. Friends and family knew him as the easygoing guy who could sketch a caricature as quickly as he could crack a joke. He never took life too seriously, a philosophy that served him well and brought joy to those around him.

Halloween was Brad's time to shine, or rather, to spook, as he delighted in dressing up and visiting haunted houses, proving that even ghosts couldn't resist a good laugh. He was the high roller of humor, often traveling to Michigan casinos with his sisters, where his wit was as sharp as any card shark's.

Boxing, shooting pool, going to concerts, and comedy shows were his go-to entertainment, especially when shared with his son, Aaron. The two could be found ringside by the TV, delivering punchlines with every punch thrown. Brad's cats were his loyal audience members, always ready to curl up and listen to his latest routine or story.

Funny, friendly, and creative are the words that best describe Brad, but even they fall short of capturing the full spectrum of a man who was truly one of a kind. He knew how to lighten the mood with storytelling, jokes, and laughter that echoed long after he left the room.

Brad's life was a masterclass in not sweating the small stuff and finding the funny in the everyday. His was a world where every moment was an opportunity for joy, every setback a setup for a comeback, and every goodbye just a pause before the next punchline.

As we bid farewell to Brad Lee Oldfather, let's remember that the show must go on. He may have exited stage left, but the laughter he left behind will continue to fill the theater of our memories. So, here's to Brad—a man who taught us that life doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful, and that the best way to face it is with a smile on your face and a joke at the ready. Curtain down, applause up, and laughter forever.

City of Firsts Cremation and Funeral Services was entrusted with the arrangements. www.cityoffirstscremations.com