Susan Given Karickhoff, Cheryl Ann Stakelbeck, James Lindsay Murray, Cynthia Louise Grimme, Clifford Eugene “Gene” Burns Jr., Bradford “Brad” Kent Woodruff

Susan Given Karickhoff

Susan Given Karickhoff died in Kokomo, Indiana, on February 24, 2025. She was born April 3, 1933, to Joubert and Mary (Sleeth) Given at Dyer, West Virginia. She graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College in the class of 1955, and married Michael Karickhoff on August 19, 1954. In her long career as a caring educator, Sue taught in elementary schools in: Silver Spring, Maryland; Circleville, Ohio; and Steger, Illinois. She also worked for a brief period in the Agricultural Economics Department at Purdue University.

Sue was, for many years, an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Buckhannon, West Virginia. She also enjoyed her membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Buckhannon Women’s Club, the College Club, Literacy Volunteers of Upshur County, Alpha Xi Delta Sorority, and the National Education Association. Through these varied groups, Sue enjoyed organizing and helping to carry out projects that bettered her local community and made a difference in the lives of people around her.

Sue also enjoyed a good game of bridge as well as other card games, watching the stock market fluctuate, cheering at West Virginia Mountaineer football games, playing ragtime piano, and having a friendly cat to pet.

Sue was predeceased by her husband and best friend of 62 years, Dr. Michael Karickhoff, as well as by her parents, her sister Jean Gum Goode, and her brother Charles Given.

Sue’s absence will be felt keenly by those who survive her: son Michael Karickhoff and his wife Kelly of Kokomo, Indiana; daughter Susan Pawlicki of St. Joseph, Illinois; her granddaughters Laurel Montealegre (Fernando) of Santa Maria, California; Ashley Paramoure of Westfield, Indiana; Emily Pawlicki of St. Joseph, Illinois; Sarah Pawlicki of Springfield, Illinois; Taylor Dicken of Kokomo, Indiana; and Madison (Devin) Schacht of Kokomo, Indiana. She is also survived by sister Rebecca (Raymond) Morris of Williwick, Ohio, and by 11 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service celebrating Susan’s life will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Polling St. Clair Funeral Home, 95 South Kanawha, Buckhannon, WV, with Pastor Steve Meadows officiating. A committal service and burial will follow in Heavner Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the funeral homes on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Crosslines, 68 College Avenue, Buckhannon, West Virginia, 26201.

Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with local arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Cheryl Ann Stakelbeck

Cheryl Ann Stakelbeck, 80, of Kokomo, passed away on Friday, March 7, 2025, at her home. She was born on February 14, 1945 in Kokomo, the daughter of the late Olis and Lillian “Polly” (Siler) Tyner.

Cheryl was a 1963 graduate of Prairie High School. She started work at Kroger as a cashier in 1998, then as production at Chrysler from 1998 to 2008. She worked as a receptionist at Dr. Artis’ office for 23 years where she retired. Cheryl was a former member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, and shopping.

She is survived by her friend Sally Louks, children Lisa Pierce, Brian Stakelbeck, and Mike (Kimberly) Stakelbeck, grandchildren Ryan (Tiffany Pieper) Pierce, Kristen Pierce, Kendra Stakelbeck, Shelby (Scott) Reese, Brock Stakelbeck, and Hailey Stakelbeck, great-grandchildren Grace Pierce, Lily Pierce, Henry Pyke-Pierce, Bentlee Pyke-Pierce, Felix Reese, Maddox Reese, and baby Reese due in June, and several nieces and nephews.

Along with her parents Olis and Polly, Cheryl was preceded in death by her sisters Charlotte Warner, Jean Simpson, and Marjorie Kelley.

A family celebration of life will be forthcoming at a later date. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with cremation. In lieu of flowers, any donations can be made to the Kokomo Humane Society in Cheryl’s memory. Messages of condolence may be left at www.shirleyandstout.com.

James Lindsay Murray

James Lindsay Murray, 90, died on March 5, at his home, in Kokomo. Jim was born in Paterson, NJ, the son of Scottish immigrants Andrew and Margaret Murray. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy in the Seabees during the Korean conflict.

Jim had several successful careers as a machine designer, industrial plant manager, and Realtor. He married the love of his life Joan in 1954, and in 1969 they moved to Indianapolis with their three children. In 1996, they retired to Titusville, FL, where they lived for 26 years before moving to Kokomo in 2022. Jim was a talented watercolor artist, an avid fisherman, and a life-long Dodgers fan. His greatest enjoyment in life was being with his family.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years Joan, his three children Lynn, Doug (Debbie), and John (Rebecca), three grandchildren (Andrew, Greg, and Kate), and four great grandchildren (Kessler, Logan, Ira, and Brooks).

The family expresses its gratitude to the caregivers from Northwoods Village, Home Instead, and Guardian Angels Hospice who looked after him at the end of his life.

In keeping with Jim’s wishes, no services will be held. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with cremation. In lieu of flowers, any donations can be made to the Kokomo Humane Society.

Cynthia Louise Grimme

Cynthia Louise Grimme, 74, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Kokomo. Born June 12, 1950, she was the only child of the late Robert E. and Margaret M. (Hollingsworth) Hoffman. On September 15, 1973, she married Franklin Grimme, who survives.

Cindy was a 1968 graduate of Mishawaka High School and earned a Bachelor of Interior Design from Indiana State University in 1972. She later pursued her passion for education, obtaining a Master’s degree in special education from Indiana University in 1994. Cindy dedicated 40 years to teaching special education within the Kokomo School Corporation before retiring.

Cindy was an active member of Tri Kappa Sorority for over 30 years, and the Green Acres Community, where she played a key role in numerous charitable efforts and events. Known for her generosity, she truly loved giving more than receiving. She found joy in giving thoughtful gifts, especially to her grandchildren. In retirement, she participated in several card clubs and enjoyed socializing with former colleagues and lifelong friends – many of whom reside in Green Acres.

Along with her husband Frank, Cindy is also survived by her children Courtney (Sean) Grimme and Zachary (Kristin) Grimme, and her beloved grandchildren Hamptin, Reed, Margaret, and Katherine.

Cindy was preceded in death by her parents.

In keeping with Cindy’s wishes, no services will be held. Stout & Son Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations in Cindy’s memory may be directed to the Kokomo Humane Society. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.stoutandson.com.

Clifford Eugene “Gene” Burns Jr.

Clifford Eugene “Gene” Burns Jr., 81, of Kokomo, passed away 2:45 a.m. Tuesday February 25, 2025, at his home. He was born in El Paso, TX, on July 20, 1943, the son of the late Clifford Eugene Burns Sr. and Estel (Shane) Burns. On July 20, 1963, he married Janet McKinney, and she preceded him in death on August 9, 2011.

Gene retired from Milbank Manufacturing Corp., where he worked in the maintenance department. He was a strong and stubborn man. He was funny and enjoyed making people laugh. He was the best provider to his family. He loved watching NASCAR, the Discovery Channel, the Game Show Network, and Gold Rush.

Gene is survived by his daughter Connie (Michael) Irwin, sons Clifford Eugene (Toni) Burns III and Jeffrey (Michelle) Burns, brother Rick Burns, sister Jeanie Bertrand, grandchildren Brad, James, Robbie, Clifford IV, Cory, Stevei, Tonya, Roger, Craig, Jeffrey, Sarah, Sara, and Darcell, great-grandchildren Kalliope, Zoey, Ian, Harper, Cody, Owen, DJ, Hayden, Brooklyn, T.K., Colton, Cooper, Chloe, Allen, Frankie, Lauren, and Nova, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife.

There are no public services scheduled for Gene. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.

Bradford “Brad” Kent Woodruff

Bradford “Brad” Kent Woodruff, 64, of Kokomo, passed away at 6:32 p.m. on Sunday, February 9, 2025. He was born January 9, 1961, in Logansport. He was the son of Larry Joe Woodruff and Patricia Kay (Helton) Meiring. On October 7, 2010, he married Dorothy Martin at the Kokomo Rescue Mission, and she survives.

Brad enjoyed watching movies, playing video games and card games, and taking walks with Dorothy.

In addition to his wife Dorothy Woodruff, survivors include his father Larry Joe Woodruff, several half-siblings, nieces and nephews, and many “adopted” nieces and nephews who all knew him as Uncle Brad.

He was preceded in death by his mother Patricia Kay Meiring, two sisters Becky Smith and Jenny White, one brother Jeff Woodruff, and his very beloved dog George.

In keeping with Brad’s wishes, no public services will be held. Cremation has been entrusted to Shirley & Stout Funeral Homes. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the funeral home to help with final expenses. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.