Lonnie Bruce Edwards

Lonnie Bruce Edwards, age 67, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at North Woods Village. He was born on August 23, 1957, in Kokomo to the late James E. Edwards and Ruby I. Edwards, and she survives.

Lonnie worked for Kroger for 20 years. He enjoyed reading sci-fi and adventure books.

He is survived by his mother Ruby I. Edwards, sister Dicie (Alan) Blanck, sister-in-law Rose Edwards, several nieces, and two great nieces whom he adored, Madyson and Samantha.

Preceding in death is his father James E. Edwards, brother Larry Edwards, and sister Geraldine Edwards.

There will be a graveside service on Tuesday, February 11, at 10:00 AM at Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery, 2097 West Alto Road, Kokomo, IN 46902. Pastor Terry Russell will be officiating.

Billy Lee Beatty

Billy Lee Beatty, 81, of Kokomo, passed away on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 11:05 AM at Kokomo Healthcare Center. He was born on February 13, 1943, to the late Rev. Donald and Wilma (Merrell) Beatty in Kokomo, IN. He married Joyce Beatty, and she preceded him in death.

Billy enjoyed riding his bike and was a huge fan of John Wayne. He never said, "Goodbye." Instead, he always said, "God Bless You." Above all, he loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them.

Billy is survived by two sisters, Theresa Fallon and Laura Lane, brother Donald Beatty, and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding in death is his late wife Joyce Beatty, his parents Rev. Donald and Wilma Beatty, his stepmother and mother who raised him, Louise Beatty, and brother George Beatty.

There will be a time of visitation for Billy on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, from 11:00 AM until the time of service at 1:00 PM, Ellers Mortuary, 725 South Main Street, Kokomo, IN. Burial will follow at Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery.

Martha M. Overstreet

Martha M. Overstreet, 89, of Galveston, went home to be with the Lord at 2:48 p.m. Wednesday, February 5, 2025, from Bloom of Kokomo. She was born August 12, 1935, in Loda, Illinois, to Les and Sydney (Kenney) Kelly.

Martha married Robert E. Overstreet on December 21, 1955, and he preceded her in death on September 16, 1994. She worked for Civil Service at Grissom Air Force Base in personnel for many years. Later in life, she went to work for the Town of Galveston and became certified with the wastewater treatment plant and served in many other capacities for the Town of Galveston. She retired in 2015. Martha was a member of Bennetts Switch Community Church in Bennetts Switch and the American Legion women’s auxiliary in Galveston. Martha loved spending time with her family and grandchildren, gardening, canning, playing cards with her friends, and trips to the Honeywell Center in Wabash. She also loved her church family.

Surviving family include: her children Diana (Gary) Zgonc of Anderson, Doreen (Jeff) Milam of Columbus, GA, Eddie (Kim) Overstreet of Galveston, and Curtis (Raquel) Overstreet. Grandchildren include Eric (Becky) Gunion, Jessica (Jack) Ibsen, Craig (Odeta) Gunion, Brad Perkins, Lynette Gresham, Megan Overstreet, Robbie (Erica) Overstreet, Alex (Shelby) Overstreet, and Haylie (Bobbie) Owens. She is also survived by 22 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and one on the way. One sister-in-law, Mary Kelly, also survives along with several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers John D. Kelly and Wilber A. (Geri) Kelly, and one great-granddaughter.

Visitation and services will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, from 12:00 noon until service time at 2:00 p.m. at Murray Weaver Funeral Home in Galveston with Pastor Norm Snyder officiating. Burial will follow in the Galveston Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 in Martha’s memory. Murray Weaver Funeral Home is honored to serve the Overstreet family. www.murrayweaverfuneralhome.com

Andrea “Andy” (Barrum) Pearce White

On the evening of February 5, 2025, Andy passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family. She was 79 years old.

Andy was born in Elwood, Indiana, on August 31, 1945. She was the only child of John W. and Zola Mae (Cook) Barrum. She graduated from Tipton High School in 1963 and from Indiana University in 1967.

In 1966, Andy married Rick Pearce. He passed away in 1995. Andy and Rick had three children: Erik (Sara) Pearce, Amy (Kevin) Stouder, and Brian (Sarah) Pearce, all of Tipton, Indiana. Also surviving are her five grandchildren: Emma Kelly, Drew Pearce, Eli Pearce, Miles Pearce, and Addy Pearce.

In 2006, Andy married Bill White, who also survives her. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Sherry (Jerry) Potts and their daughter Hailey, all of Palm Harbor, Florida. Her brother-in-law Jack White preceded her in death.

Andy was a schoolteacher, having taught at Lincoln Elementary School, St. John’s Catholic School, and Tipton Elementary School from 1969 to 2005. After retirement, Andy and Bill loved to travel, play – and watch - lots of golf and support all their grandkids from many sets of bleachers … enjoying every second with family and friends.

Andy’s family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers from Heart and Soul Caring and Paradigm Hospice. Andy generously has donated her body to the Anatomical Education Program at Indiana University School of Medicine. This gift will contribute significantly to the advancement of health science education in the state of Indiana. Those, like Andy, who decide to bequeath their bodies to the health sciences have made a significant contribution that benefits the quality of life and care for the living.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 15, at Young-Nichols Funeral Home. A private burial will be held in the future.

Please leave a special memory of Andy on her obituary page on the Young-Nichols Funeral Home website … It would mean the world to the family. www.young-nichols.com

Memorial donations in honor of Andy may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Lois Forrester

Lois Forrester, a beacon of love and selflessness, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2025, at her lifelong home in Kokomo, IN. Born on April 11, 1949, to Ed and Martha Williams, Lois was a cherished member of the Kokomo community, known for her interesting spirit and generous heart.

Lois's life was a testament to her enduring love for her family and the simple joys that nature could bring. She was a loving mother, sister, and grandmother. Preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Martha, her daughter Theresa Crume, and daughter-in-law Jennifer Forrester, Lois's memory will be forever cherished by her son Keith Forrester; her brothers, Jim Williams and his wife Debbie, and David Williams; as well as her adored grandchildren, Blayne, Zack, Sadi, Austin, Ashton, Nate, Nick, and Paige; and several great grandchildren.

For over two decades, Lois was a familiar and friendly face at the Top Banana Farm Market, where she dedicated her time and energy. Her work there was not just a job but a community service, where she touched the lives of countless customers with her caring demeanor and infectious laughter.

An avid lover of the outdoors, Lois found tranquility in watching birds, an activity that brought her immense joy and peace. She was an enthusiastic mushroom hunter, delighting in the thrill of the search and the beauty of nature's bounty. Her garden was a vibrant tapestry of colors and fragrances, reflecting her passion for flowers and her skill in nurturing them to bloom. Lois's love for her dogs, Snoopy and Waldo, was evident in the way she cared for them, and they, in turn, provided companionship and comfort throughout her life.

Lois's legacy is one of love and selflessness. She had a unique ability to make everyone around her feel valued and loved, and her interesting conversations and stories will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her commitment to her family, her work, and her hobbies was unwavering and serves as an inspiration to those she has left behind.

In keeping with her nature, Lois's departure from this world was as serene as the life she led. Her passing is not only a loss to her family but to the entire community that was fortunate enough to know her. Lois Forrester will be remembered as a loving mother, sister, grandmother, and friend. Her spirit, like the flowers she so adored, will continue to bloom in the hearts of those she touched.

As we bid farewell to Lois, we celebrate the life she lived and the countless ways she enriched ours. Her memory will be lovingly preserved within the stories told, the gardens nurtured, and the laughter shared. Lois's life was a journey of love, and though her path has come to an end, the footprints she left behind will guide us forever.

Rest in peace, Lois Forrester. Your love will continue to light our way, and your memory will be our everlasting comfort.

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

Gregory Isaac Blades

Gregory Isaac Blades, a man whose laughter was as infectious as his love for the ocean, embarked on his final journey on February 3, 2025, leaving a trail of chuckles and fond memories in his wake. Born on March 11, 1978, in the small town of Kokomo, IN, Gregory, known for his quick wit and kind heart, turned every room he entered into a brighter place.

Gregory's early years in Kokomo were filled with the kind of mischievous adventures that would later fuel his comedic storytelling. He graduated from Maconaquah High School, where he was as much a student of life as he was of the curriculum, often sharing that his real education came from the great outdoors and the school of hard knocks – with a diploma in laughter, no less.

He met the love of his life, Monica, and together they navigated the waters of marriage for 21 years, a voyage filled with love, laughter, and the occasional spirited debate about the best way to set up a tent. Gregory's legacy includes his sons, Hunter (Kiersten), Gabriel, and Gregory, who inherited their father's sense of humor and passion for life. His grandchildren, Cali, Ivy, and Elias, were the apples of his eye, and he was the grandpa who could turn any frown upside down.

Gregory's mother, Delilah Kay Peacock (Jim), and his siblings, Amanda Blades, step siblings Victoria Camden (Parker), and Jackson Peacock, will miss his impromptu comedy shows at family gatherings. His nieces and nephews, Kayleigh, Landon, and Liliana Blades, knew him as the fun uncle who could always be counted on for a good joke or a silly face. Wayne and Cyndy Kepner, his in-laws, were often the good-natured butt of his jokes, a testament to the love and camaraderie that Gregory fostered.

He was preceded in death by his father, Gregory Blades, daughter A.J. Kepner, and his grandparents, Mary and Ira Darter, who no doubt welcomed him with open arms and a heavenly chuckle.

Gregory's interests were as varied as his punchlines. He loved fishing and camping, often quipping that he was a professional 'catch-and-releaser' because the fish loved his comedy so much they jumped on his hook for a front-row seat. His fascination with RC cars and models was only matched by his love for anything ocean-related – he always joked that he was a merman in a past life.

To say Gregory was funny, loving, and kind is an understatement. He was the man who could find humor in the mundane, warmth in the coldest of moments, and kindness in every action. His laughter was the soundtrack of many lives, and his absence will be felt deeply by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Gregory Isaac Blades, a man who lived life like it was a comedy special, has left the stage for the final time. While the curtain may have closed on his earthly performance, his encore will be the laughter echoing in the hearts of those he touched. Indianapolis, IN, the place of his final bow, will remember him as a beacon of joy and a testament to the power of a good laugh.

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