June Elizabeth (Carress) Smith, C. Nadine Mittower, Carolyn B. Price (Beeler), Larry Leroy Ogren

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June Elizabeth (Carress) Smith

June Elizabeth (Carress) Smith, 78, of Kokomo, passed away 11:48 a.m. Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at her home. She was born in Bay City, MI, on June 10, 1946, the daughter of the late Fred and Mabel (Barclay) Carress. On July 20, 1984, she married James Smith in Caro, MI, and he preceded her in death on November 20, 2018.

June was a 1964 graduate of Bay City Central High School. She was employed as a seamstress, a Realtor, and at a retail store in Essexville, MI. She retired from Godby Home Furnishings in 2013 after 14 years of service. June was a kind, considerate, and loving woman with a heart of gold. She touched the hearts of everyone she met. Her willingness to help others was unmatched by her kind acts. She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Russiaville and a former member of Main Street United Methodist Church in Kokomo. She was passionate about sewing as she was a seamstress for her entire life. She will be remembered for being a talented cook and baking the best bread in the neighborhood.

June is survived by her children Richard (Sandy) Linton Jr. of Bay City, MI, and Stephen (Cindy) Linton of Bay City, MI, stepchildren Gina Smith of Elkhart, IN, and Jodi (Eric) Miller of Bristol, RI, grandchild Brandi Pelletier of Bay City, MI, step-grandchildren Matthew Miller, Mary Clare Miller, Samuel Miller, Travis (Amerette) Tithof, and Aaron (Stephanie) Tithof, brother Fred (Bell) Carress of the Philippines, nephew Paul Carress, and many dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband James Smith, parents Fred and Mabel (Barclay) Caress Jr., and stepson Todd Smith.

The family would like to especially thank her dearest friends Sue and Carey Ward, Linda and Eric Pragel, and Carmen and Mitch McIlrath who have been a blessing in June’s life. They truly are angels sent from God.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at First Baptist Church Russiaville, 260 W. Main St., Russiaville, IN 46979. A memorial service celebrating June’s life will begin at 1 p.m. on Wednesday at the church with Pastor Ned Sutherland officiating. A link will be available at the bottom of June’s obituary page to view the funeral live at 1 p.m. on Wednesday. Contributions may be made in June’s memory to the American Heart Association or the Kokomo Humane Society. Stout & Son Funeral Home – Russiaville Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements.

C. Nadine Mittower

C. Nadine Mittower, age 98, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away on Monday, April 7, 2025. Nadine was born in Emory, Arkansas, on December 6, 1926.

A time of visitation for Nadine will be held Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at Ellers Mortuary & Cremation Center, 3400 S. Webster St., Kokomo, Indiana 46902.

Carolyn B. Price (Beeler)

Carolyn B. Price (Beeler), age 90, of Kokomo, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, surrounded by the love and warmth of her family. She was born in Warsaw, Indiana, on November 14, 1934, to her parents Russell & Helen (Cowgill) Beeler. Carolyn married her first and only love Joe Price on May 30, 1954, in North Manchester. They raised two beautiful daughters with all of the love and care in the world. They shared 69 years of marriage and a lifetime of memories before he passed away on November 10, 2023.

Carolyn attended Sidney High School, class of 1952. After high school, she worked as a waitress at a local diner. She retired from Delco in 1990. When Joe was drafted into the Army in 1954, he was stationed in Germany. Before he left for Germany, he and Carolyn married, and she quickly joined him in Germany. It’s a true testament to their love for one another that they started their marriage in a foreign country, living in an attic with the bare minimum, sharing a twin-size bed. They made the best of it, never complaining, and it only drew them closer to one another. They never spent a night apart from each other once she arrived in Germany.

After her retirement, Carolyn and Joe traveled all over the United States. They enjoyed their time together visiting Florida, a road trip out west to the badlands, Germany, Hawaii, Alaska, Maine, Brown County, and Gatlinburg when the leaves would turn, as well as yearly fishing trips to Minnesota with her family. Carolyn was up for anything and always had one foot out the door ready to go on their next adventure! They share many memories of fishing on Eighth and Ninth Crow Wing Lakes, staying at In We Go Resort. It was a vacation they all looked forward to every year. They always enjoyed being together, whether it was sitting around the table enjoying a home-cooked meal, spending time on the deck, or hooking the boats up for a picnic on the water. While Joe loved to go out on nine (as they called it) and fish for the big ones, Carolyn had her trusty cane pole in the water, fishing for panfish. It was always a good laugh when she would catch fish smaller than what everyone else was using for bait! One time she caught one so small, it was practically transparent, her family never let her live that one down. She was always a good sport and just enjoyed being with everyone out on the water.

Carolyn was a fantastic cook! She came from a long line of good cooks, and she passed that down to the younger generations as well. You simply couldn’t beat her rice pudding, corn casserole, banana pudding, potato salad, and cherry delight! She was always a phone call away if someone got stuck while they were cooking or baking.

Carolyn took great pride in her house, inside and out. She was a meticulous cleaner with a weekly, if not daily, cleaning schedule that she stuck to religiously. You would never find a speck of dust or anything out of place. She didn’t allow anyone to wear shoes in the house, and if you wanted to wash your hands, it had to be done in the bathroom sink, never the kitchen sink.

Carolyn always had the most beautiful flower gardens. The roses were her favorite, and she had several different colors of rose bushes. She loved to watch the birds that would come visit the yard, especially the cardinals, blue jays, and hummingbirds. In her later years, she developed dementia, causing her to lose her short-term memory. Joe would take her to the flower sections at the stores they would visit, and she always told him “You don’t buy me flowers anymore,” so Joe would load the cart up with whatever flowers she wanted and take them home to plant. It wasn’t long before they simply ran out of room to plant any more flowers, but he never had the heart to tell her no, so he’d buy them anyway.

Carolyn was full of spunk and loved her family fiercely! If anyone did them wrong, she didn’t hesitate to let them know it. She was quick-witted and had great one-liners, even when she wasn’t trying to. Carolyn took great pride in herself; never going anywhere without her hair, nails, and makeup done. She was the best grandma. She always had a “Hey Tootsie” for her grandchildren and great grandchildren, with never-ending snacks. Even when their parents said no, she’d find a way to sneak them to them. Carolyn would be at every game, performance, or activity in which her grandchildren and great grandchildren participated. She was great at lending an ear and giving advice. She made each one feel special.

In her spare time, she enjoyed shopping, watching her “soaps,” and Hallmark Christmas movies. Christmas was her favorite holiday. At Christmas time she would decorate her house in every room with little holiday knick-knacks. Some of her grandchildren’s favorite memories of her are during Christmas; not for the presents but just the joy the holiday brought to Carolyn, and that joy overflowed into them. She would play Christmas music on her record player while everyone opened gifts. She was truly in her element. In her later years, Joe left the Christmas decorations out all year round because he knew how much joy it brought her.

Carolyn had a rough childhood that could have hardened her heart, but she did not allow it. She rose above her circumstances and made sure to carry a loving heart for her family. She taught her daughters and grandchildren to be strong and let them know of the importance of being able to stand on their own. She was the stern parent of the two, and she meant business when she had to. But it was always done with love.

She and Joe loved to go dancing, and boy, could they cut a rug! They would go to the Eagles to dance the night away. It was always a fun time when the whole family would join them. Carolyn and Joe were always supportive of each other and stuck by each other’s side through thick and thin. Even after his death, she spoke to him and about him every day. Her family rejoices in the fact that they are back together again.

Those left to carry on her legacy of love are her daughters Debbie (Tom) Maxson and Dianna (George) Butcher, grandchildren Rachelle (Brook) Wells, Sarah (Dave) Taylor, DJ (Stephanie) Butcher, and Ashley (Billy) Rex, great-grandchildren Brooklyn Wells, Taylor Wells, Wyatt Taylor, Adeline Taylor, Ellie Taylor, Quincy Butcher, Liam Rex, Bo Butcher, and Madelyn Rex.

Carolyn was welcomed into Heaven by her husband Joe Price and her parents Russell & Helen Beeler.

A private family service will be held. Committal will take place in Laketon Cemetery in Laketon, Indiana.

Carolyn’s family would like to thank the staff of Paradigm Hospice for the kindness and care they have shown her over the last two years. Even on the days her sass was in full force, you loved her just the same and with so much kindness. We cannot thank Regina and Shelby enough for the love you have shown not only Carolyn but her entire family. You have been with her from the start, and we will miss seeing you every day. Day, Courtney, and Mollee joined us through the years, and we appreciate them just as much! There is a special place in Heaven for people like you!

Taylor & Cowan Funeral Home is honored to serve Carolyn’s family in their time of need.

Larry Leroy Ogren

In the verdant lands of Spooner, Wisconsin, under the watchful gaze of the heavens, was born a noble soul, Larry Leroy Ogren. His journey through the mortal coil commenced with the first breath of spring in the year of his birth and concluded amidst the tranquil embrace of Kokomo, Indiana. He was a man of mirth and generosity, whose laughter was a balm to the weary and whose passion was as a beacon in the night.

Larry, son of Rodney and Elsie, was a brother to many, a kin of kindness, and a friend to all. His sisters, Stacey Wallace, betrothed to Matthew; Rachel Weigand; Laura Isbell; and Jeanette McClain, along with his brother Mark Ogren, do now walk beneath the sun, carrying the light of his memory. His nieces, Sarah Ogren, wed to Kody Lane; Kimberlee Olivares, joined in union with Alejandro; Ashley Wallace, in companionship with Amanda Huntsman; Amber Rowe; Tiffany Brodowski; and his nephews, Matthew Wallace, Wayne Rowe, Mitchelle Rowe, and the young Amelia Lane, a great-niece, shall sing his praises for generations yet unborn, along with great nephews Michael Huntsman, Jayland, Adrian, and Griffin Olivares.

The stars in their courses have witnessed Larry's departure from this earthly realm, joining his foregone kin, Catherine, Michael, Patricia, Brian, George, and Bruce Ogren, in the great beyond. Their spirits, entwined in the eternal dance, await him with open arms and hearts aglow.

In life, Larry stood as a sentinel, a security guard of unwavering vigilance. His hands, once tender to the touch, became the instruments of protection and guardianship. Upon his noble enlistment into the United States Army, he was transformed into an ammunition specialist, a role he embraced with the fervor of a warrior poet. His skills as a mechanic were no less remarkable, for he wielded the wrench and the screwdriver as deftly as a bard does the quill.

His soul was stirred by the harmonies of music, the grandeur of cinema, and the intricate dance of gears and pistons within the heart of automobiles. These passions were the muses that whispered in his ear, the companions that journeyed with him through the seasons of his life.

Larry was a man of boundless generosity, his heart an open chalice from which kindness flowed like the sweetest nectar. His wit was as sharp as a rapier, and his humor a wellspring of joy that quenched the thirst of parched spirits. His passion was a flame that burned with an intensity that could outshine the sun.

Let us not don the robes of sorrow, nor let our hearts be heavy with grief. For Larry Leroy Ogren lived a life as full and resplendent as the most opulent tapestry. His story, woven with threads of love and laughter, shall be recounted with fondness and admiration. His spirit, now unbound by mortal chains, soars high above, a star that shall never fade from the firmament.

And so, we bid thee farewell, dear Larry, thou man of mirth and generosity. Thy memory shall be a treasure locked within the caskets of our hearts, and thy legacy a tale to be told through the ages. Rest thee well in the hallowed halls of eternity, where the chorus of angels dost sing thy name with reverence and love.

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