Obituaries, April 13, 2024 (2024)

James Thomas “Jim” Papacek

James Thomas “Jim” Papacek, 81, Greentown, passed away Tuesday morning at his home with his family by his side. Jim was born June 4, 1942, in Berwyn, Illinois, the son of James Joseph & Claribel F. (Insley) Papacek. On August 24, 1968, in Kokomo, he married Brenda D. Brantley, and she survives.

Jim was a 1960 graduate of Kokomo High School and went on to earn a business degree from Indiana University Kokomo. He retired as president of Haynes Community Federal Credit Union and had previously worked at the State Bank of Greentown and Union Bank.

Jim served our community for 47 years, serving 8 years on the Kokomo Common Council and 39 years on the Howard County Council. He also served on the Howard County Plan Commission. In recognition of his years of service, Jim was awarded Sagamore of the Wabash by Governor Eric Holcomb. The Howard County Commissioners awarded Jim the Pillar of the Community and the Howard County Republican Party granted Jim the Chairman’s Award.

He was an active member of First Evangelical Presbyterian Church where served as an Elder and on several leadership boards. Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing and his many annual fishing trips to Canada. He enjoyed golf and was a lifelong Purdue fan. He had coached Babe Ruth Baseball and was able to coach his grandsons’ team in Lafayette.

Surviving in addition to his wife of 55 years, Brenda Papacek are his daughter, Leigh (Matt) Rhoda; grandsons, Dean Rhoda, and Derek Rhoda; brothers, John (Violet) Papacek and Jerry (Gwen) Papacek; his mother-in-law, Mary Brantley and several nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his father-in-law, Ondis Brantley.

A memorial service celebrating Jim’s life will be held at 4:00 pm Thursday, April 18, 2024, at First Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 2000 W. Jefferson Street, with Pastor Joyce Harris officiating. Friends are invited to visit from 1 p.m. until service time at the church on Thursday. Private burial will be held in Albright Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Evangelical Presbyterian Church or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

Arletta Lee Baxter

Arletta Lee Baxter, 87, of Tipton, Indiana, passed away April 11, 2024. She was born on March 21, 1937, in Tipton, Indiana, the daughter of Arthur Cleman and Ruby Pauline (Burris) Plake. On June 14, 2008, Arletta married the late Paul Baxter. Arletta loved tending to her flower garden, crosswords, playing Scrabble, and most of all talking with her family. She enjoyed sharing, spending time with her friends, and a good laugh.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Lonnie (Cyndi) Morrison, Anita (Steve) Dungan, Tina (Dan) O'Vadka; grandchildren, Carmen (Doug) McCool, Travis (Kate) Dungan; great-grandchildren, Luke (Antionette) McCool, Raegan McCool; siblings, Jeanne, Sonny, Vickie; several nieces and nephews; and furry companion, Jo`ie.

Arletta was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Sherry, Chuck, Jack.

Visitation will take place from 2:00 - 3:00 pm on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at ONE Church, 2734 South Washington Street, Kokomo. Funeral services will begin at 3:00. Share a memory with the family at www.ellersmortuary.com.

Jerry Lee Yard

Jerry Lee Yard, 86, of Kokomo, went to be with be with the Lord at 2:53 a.m. on Friday, April 12, 2024, at Ascension St. Vincent Kokomo. He was born on July 9, 1937, in Kokomo, the son of the late Benjamin Franklin and Mary Louise (Guge) Yard. On February 12, 1955, he married Sondra Pierce, and she survives.

Jerry graduated from Kokomo High School. He served in the Indiana Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves. Jerry worked at Continental Steel for 25 years and as a private contractor for home repairs for 25 years. He enjoyed bowling, fishing, and golfing. Jerry was a handyman and a Jack of all trades. He was a member of St. Lukes Church.

Survivors include his wife, Sondra; children, Connie (Barry) Jolliffe, Jerry (Christy) Yard Jr., Rick (Sherry) Yard, and Susan (Bryan) Ragan; grandchildren, Melissa (Phil) Williams, Bryan (Kala) Jolliffe, Jamie (Justin) Markley, Sarah (Ryan) Markley, Joseph Yard, Craig (Emily Greer) Yard, Brandon (Megan) Yard, Nathan (Ashley) Yard, Matt (Danielle) Cook, Jacob Cook, Carisa (Eric) Richardson, and Cliff Ragan; 30 Great grandchildren; and siblings, Bill (Bonnie) Yard, Charles (Carol) Yard, Carolyn Aaron, Diana Anderson, and Cheryl Yard.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents; great granddaughter; brothers, Bob (Margaret) Yard, Benny Yard, Ralph Yard, and Freddy Yard; sister, Debbie Blakely and brothers-in-law, Charles Osborne and Thomas Aaron.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo, with Pastor Justin Markley officiating. Burial will follow in Albright Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4-7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Contributions may be made in Jerry’s memory to Fresh Start Ministries, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

William A. Parslow Sr.

William A. Parslow Sr., age 82, of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away on Wednesday, April 10, 202,4, at his home with his wife at his side. William was born Jan. 14, 1942, in Solvay, New York to John S. Parslow and Vida M. Parslow (Craft).

William was raised in Erieville, New York. He graduated from Cazenovia High School in 1960. He joined the United States Air Force in the summer of 1960 and served until the summer of 1964. Most of his service time was spent at Bunker Hill AFB (Now Grissom) where he worked as a mechanic on B-58s. During his service time, he met Linda Welsh whom he later married in 1966. The couple moved to Seattle where Bill worked at Boeing before returning to Kokomo in 1968. Bill went to work at Delco and worked there 30 years before retiring in 1999. He was in skilled trades as a Tinsmith.

Bill was a long-time member of the Cassville Lions Club serving two terms as President. Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing, and watching his sons and grandchildren at their various sports and school activities. He was very proud of and devoted to his family. Bill coached his sons in little league baseball and served as Cub Master for their Cub Scout Pack.

He was always willing to lend a hand to help anyone who needed help. He would work on your car, help build your house, or help in any way that he could.

Bill and Linda had attended Cassville UMC.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 57 years, Linda (Welsh) Parslow; sons, William Jr. (Maria Stark), John (Angela), and Mark A. Parslow; and grandchildren, Veronica Taylor, William A. Parslow III (Julia), Ian Parslow (Sara Wauter), Aurora (Austin) Young, Noah Parslow, and Charles Parslow; and one great-grandchild, Eve Michele Parslow.

He also leaves behind two sisters, Hope Palmer, of New York and Faith Page and her son, Neil and his family, of New York. In-laws, Sandra Welsh, James Welsh, Peggy Richey, Patsy LeMaster, and Brad Welsh, including their spouses, children, and grandchildren.

Bill was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, brother, and brother-in-law. He will be greatly missed.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please make donations to Alzheimer's Association or Parkinson's Association.

There will be a time of visitation for William on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, from 1:00 P.M. until the time of service at 4:00 P.M. at Ellers Mortuary Webster Chapel, 3400 South Webster Street, Kokomo, Indiana. Full military rites will be performed by the United States Air Force and VFW Post #1152 Military Rites Team.

Randy Clark Smith

Randy Clark Smith, age 62, of Roann, Indiana, passed away on Sunday, April 7, 2024. He was born on March 14, 1962, in El Paso, Texas, to Albert and Ruby Smith. He married Evyonne (Calvin) Smith and to their union were born 2 children. Randy's career began with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. He worked in Oklahoma City in Probation and Parole for approximately 5 years, and 14 years as a case manager in the prison system. After moving to Kokomo, he worked as a probation officer for a couple years, before working as a case manager in Plainfield, for about 3 years. He served in the Army National Guard and retired in August of 2015. He worked for Chrysler for around 3 years before going to work for Red Gold. Randy attended church at Bethel Tabernacle Church of God under the leadership of Pastor Emeritus David Cornelius, and current Pastor Stephen Branstutter. He loved spending time with his family and on the farm. He enjoyed taking care of the cows and tinkering with cars.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Evyonne; children, Jerrica, Brayden, and Jailyn; 3 grandchildren; his mother, Ruby; 4 siblings, Debbie (of Houston), Mickie (of Panama) Rickie (of the Philippines) and Jackie (of Houston).

Randy was preceded in death by his dad, Albert Smith, and his brother, Tony Smith.

A visitation for Randy will be held Saturday, April 20, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Bethel Tabernacle Church of God, 661 W. 400 S., Kokomo, Indiana 46902, followed by a funeral service at 1:00 PM.

Randy will be laid to rest in Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery, 2097 W. Alto Rd., Kokomo, Indiana 46901.