Day: April 15, 2024

Donna Marie Shook, 64, of Marion, IN, passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 9th, 2024, in her home. 

Donna was born in Marion on August 2nd, 1959, to Pam Varvell and Don Miller. Donna graduated from Marion High School in 1977. She would later go on to become broker/owner of Advantage Real Estate. Donna spent the last 3 decades helping countless people buy and sell their homes. She was a lifelong resident of Marion and a friend to many.

She married her husband, John Shook, on May 15th, 1980. Together they created a beautiful family with 8 children who are thick as thieves. She was infinitely proud of all of her kids and their successes. Donna was unapologetically herself and had a big heart. She loved spending time at the beach, reading her Mom’s Bible, crocheting, creating the most magical Christmases, shopping, and above all else, spending time with and talking about her grandkids.

The lights of her life, Donna had 20 grandkids and 6 great grandkids who called her “Nana”. According to her, they were the most amazing, smart, funny, talented, and loving group of kids. She loved watching them excel in their many sports, taking them to the movies, camping in Chincoteague, hosting sleepovers, and playing board games with them. She would share stories with anyone who would listen about how funny, smart, and kind her grandbabies were. From the ones who are now adults, having their own babies, to the ones she will never get to meet, her memory will live on through them: Daniel, Brandon, Jacob, Jasmine, Conner, Logan, Luna, Josie, Oliver, Max, Mason, Makenzy, Gracie, Haylee, Ethan, Morgan, Emma, Zane, Milo, Cyrus, Elliott, Jasper, Juliet, Ezra, Elias, Arabelle, and the future children of her loving son, Nicholas (Ashley) Shook.

Donna is preceded in death by her mom, Pam Shook; sister, Carla Stevens; nephew, Matthew Edwards; stepfathers Xen and Fred; and grandparents, Helen and Eddy.

She is survived by her husband, John Shook; her children, Amber (Hans) Huber, Chanda Boyd, Brandon (Jennifer) Shook, Christa (Bruno) Sokic, Cory (Jaymie) Shook, Ashlee (Chad) Dixon, Holly (Mike) McGriff, and Nicholas (Ashley) Shook; her sisters and brother, Melinda (Daryl) Duchaine, Vicky (David) Sparks, and Tony Miller; as well as her many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at Raven Choate Robinson Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 17th. There will be a viewing for the public from 11am – 1pm, followed by a private service and burial for the immediate family. If you wish to make a donation in lieu of flowers, the family requests that you do so to Riley Children’s Hospital or Toys for Tots. 

Online condolences may be shared at www.ravenchoate.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donna M. Shook, please visit our floral store.

Ronald A. Timmons, age 73, passed away April 11, 2024, at Marion Health. He was born on October 31, 1950, the son of the late Howard and Eileen (Humes) Timmons. He married Rena Timmons on August 15, 1981.

Ron worked as a machine repairman in the maintenance department at Ball Foster formally Foster Forbes. He was a very active man who loved to be outside especially in his gazebo. He always had a project he was working on. Ron was a past officer at Marion Moose Lodge 253.  He was an avid sports fan and loved the Colts and the Cubs. He never missed a Marion Giant game on the radio. He was also a pretty good bowler and was very proud of his high game of 279.  Ron loved spending time with his family and enjoyed playing a good game of “dice”. He was also known for his orneriness and speed racing through Walmart on his scooter.

In addition to his wife Rena, Ron is survived by one daughter, Stacie (Ollie Smith) Timmons, one son, Justin Vershaw, two brothers; Gary (Pam) Timmons and Steve Timmons, one sister Connie Timmons, six grandchildren; Jaron Simpson, Kia Timmons, Dominic (Ashya) Vershaw, Jalen (Sierra) Wingo, Marlo Vershaw, and Stella Vershaw and one great grandchild, Ariana Emory.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents and one sister Vicky Goodykoontz.

Visitation for family and friends will be Monday, April 15, 2024, from Noon – 2:00 PM at Raven Choate Robinson Funeral Home, 1202 W. Kem Rd., Marion. Funeral services will begin immediately following visitation with Deacon Jasen Wright officiating.  

For those who wish memorial contributions may be made to Cancer Services of Grant County, 305 S. Norton St., Marion, IN, 46952.

Online condolences may be shared at www.ravenchoate.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ronald A. “Ron” Timmons, please visit our floral store.

Deloris A. (Malott) Chilcutt, 88, of Peru, passed away at Blair Ridge Health Campus on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

She was born in Miami County, Indiana to the late Merlin and Lucy (Waisner) Malott on November 11, 1935. Deloris attended Butler School for all 12 grades. She worked at Courier Newsum trucking company for 30 years and later retired from the license branch as assistant manager.

Deloris married Robert Chilcutt on April 28, 1956 and they were married for 53 years until his passing on July 14, 2009.

She liked antiques, was a wonderful seamstress, and avid reader, but most of all, Deloris loved her family.

Deloris is survived by her three children; Cathy (Jeff) Lewis of Peru, Roger Chilcutt of Peru, Robert (Lorraine) Chilcutt of Peru, six grandchildren; Jessica Lewis, Jacob Lewis, Cory (Heather) Chilcutt, Daniel (Amy) Chilcutt, Kayla (Chris) Vaughan, Devon (Briley) Chilcutt, eleven great grandchildren, and a sister, Sue (Max) Hattery of Macy.

She is preceded in death by her parents and husband.

Visitation will take place at Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home, 105 West Third Street, Peru on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 from 11am to 1pm. The funeral service will follow at 1pm with Pastor Matty Myers officiating. Interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery in Peru, Indiana.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.FlowersLeedyAllen.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Deloris A. (Malott) Chilcutt, please visit our floral store.

Jane Ann was born in Indiana in January 1931 to Ethel and Clarence Comerford. The youngest of seven children, she grew up on a farm in Bunker Hill. St. Charles in Peru was her home parish, and she attended St. Joseph Academy in Tipton.

In 1947, Jane Ann entered the Congregation of St. Joseph in Tipton. Through the years she received a BA in education from Marymount College, an MA in theology from Notre Dame University, and an MA in pastoral counseling from Butler University.

For 30 years, Jane Ann served in many parishes throughout the Diocese of Lafayette, Indiana. She was a primary school teacher from 1950-1965 in the following schools: St. Peter, St. Joseph, St. Paul, St. Joan of Arc, St. John and St. Bernard. From 1967-1970, Jane Ann was asked by her community in Tipton to serve as Director of Novices.

In the late 1970s, she was Campus Minister at Ball State University in Muncie and became Associate Director of Religious Education in the Lafayette Diocese. She also ministered as Director of Religious Education at Grissom Air Force Base in Bunker Hill and at Our Lady of Grace Parish in Noblesville. Jane Ann then served as a member of the Leadership Team in Tipton from 1978 to 1982.

From 1982 to 2013, Jane Ann ministered in Louisville, Kentucky as a pastoral counselor and marriage and family therapist at Methodist Episcopal Hospital, Norton Healthcare and in private practice. For 30 years, she was a member of St. William Church in Louisville, a parish where, in the Spirit of Vatican II, members committed to live justice, peace, and compassion – the heart of Jesus’ message. Jane Ann ministered with the community and celebrated specially planned Sunday liturgies. Studying the New Cosmology and Buddhism at the Earth and Spirit Center in Louisville and learning the practice of Buddhist meditation were very important to her.

After the Tipton center closed in 2013, Jane Ann chose to join the Cleveland Center in Ohio. She remained deeply grateful for the warmth and kindness extended towards her by everyone at the Cleveland Center. In Cleveland she volunteered weekly at Hospice of the Western Reserve with respite care, and at Providence House and Rainbow Babies’ and Children’s Hospital with infant care, where she cuddled babies who had no family members with them. She enjoyed traveling throughout her life and collecting pottery from local artisans in the different towns where she lived and visited.

Loving God, we are thankful for the life of our Sister Jane Ann, and we rejoice as she enters into the fullness of Your love.

Jane Ann is preceded in death by her parents and siblings; Richard Comerford, John Comerford, William Comerford, Paul Comerford, Mary Comerford, and Kathryn Comerford Cain.

A service honoring Jane Ann’s life will be held at a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McGorray – Hanna Funeral Home. Local arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.FlowersLeedyAllen.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sister Jane Ann Comerford, please visit our floral store.

Robert Scott “Bob” Lewis, 64. North Manchester, passed away on April 14, 2024, on his family’s homestead in Silver Lake. The son of Ira Donald and Nancy Sue (Ball) Lewis, Bob was born September 9, 1959, in Fort Wayne.

Bob was quiet and soft-spoken from a young age. One of six children who grew up on his parent’s farm, Bob learned to work hard, problem solve, and appreciate the people and blessings surrounding him. After graduating from Manchester High School in 1978, Bob followed in his father’s footsteps and enlisted in the United States Navy. He was stationed at Alameda Navy Base in California and proudly served for four years before being honorably discharged. He then went to work at OmniSource with his dad and began working at Central Transport, which now has become Universal, in Fort Wayne a few years later. Though the company’s name changed over the years, Bob’s commitment to the company remained steadfast for thirty-eight years. He loved to work and always had a positive, inquisitive attitude. Faith in the Lord, love for family, and dedication to working hard were paramount values in Bob’s life.

The loving memory of Robert Scott “Bob” Lewis will be forever cherished by his mother, Nancy Lewis, North Manchester; brothers, Donald A. “Don” (Sherry) Lewis, Scott A. Lewis, both of North Manchester and Ira Jay Lewis, Fort Wayne; sisters, Sue A. (Matt) Baker, Claypool and Kelly McKee, North Manchester; nieces and nephews, Christine Lewis, Tiffany Lewis, Abby (Troy) Martin, Justin (Jordan) Lewis, Mattie (Caleb) Bandow, and Ira Drake Lewis; and great-nieces and great-nephew, Olive France, Malery McKee, Brooklyn Lewis, and Nick Iribe. Bob was preceded in death by his father, Ira Lewis.

Family and friends may call Friday, April 19, 2024, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester. Funeral services will begin on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 12:00 noon with calling beginning at 11:00 a.m. at McKee Mortuary. Pastor Jeff Lewis, Pastor Rod Peebles, and Pastor Lane Lingofelter will officiate. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery, 600 Beckley Street, North Manchester, Indiana.

For those who wish to honor the memory of Bob Lewis, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.     

The family of Bob Lewis has entrusted McKee Mortuary with care and final arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert “Bob” Scott Lewis, please visit our floral store.

Carolyn Kay Jones, 83, North Manchester, Indiana, passed away with her loving daughters by her side on April 10, 2024. She was born on November 15, 1940, in Portland, Indiana, to Floyd I. and Mary I. (Van Deventer) Kendall.

Kay graduated from Lyons High School in Lyons, Indiana, in 1958 and married Cleo Jones on August 11, 1959. The two spent the next forty-seven years making their home in North Manchester and growing their family with the addition of two daughters, Rebecca and Robin, and later grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Kay and Cleo created many wonderful memories together. They were always traveling and going off on their next adventure before Cleo passed away on July 23, 2006. Kay did her best to fill this massive hole in her life with volunteer work, family and faith. She was a beautiful soul and a loving light to those around her. During the winter months she enjoyed reading a good book and solving jigsaw puzzles, which she taught her grandchildren and great-grandchildren to do.

Kay liked to go out in the world and do things herself. She began working at Heckman Bindery in 1970 and continued her employment there until 1985. She then became a receptionist and medical records clerk at Manchester Clinic until 1999. Kay retired from Walnut Street Clinic in 2002 and began part time work at Timbercrest from 2014 until 2018.

The loving memory of Kay Jones will be forever cherished by her daughters, Rebecca “Becky” (Paul) Steele, North Manchester and Robin (Phil) Dale, Roann; grandchildren, Nathan O’Hara, Florida, Curtis (Beth) Dale, Fort Wayne, and Morgan (Nate) Steinhiser, Indianapolis; great-grandchildren, Kasen Shepherd, Karson O’Hara, and Kali O’Hara; niece, Nancy Porter, Pekin, Illinois; nephew, Douglas Neidigh, Elnora, Indiana; and several great-nieces and great-nephews. Kay was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Cleo Jones; sisters, Helen Josephine Weaver and Betty Neidigh; and son-in-law, Scott Dee O’Hara.

Family and friends may call Saturday, April 13, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester. Funeral services will begin at the conclusion of calling with Pastor Dave Phillips officiating. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery, 600 Beckley Street, North Manchester.

For those who wish to honor the memory of Kay Jones, memorial contributions may be made to Riley Children’s Foundation, P.O. Box 3356, Indianapolis, Indiana 46206.

The family of Kay Jones has entrusted McKee Mortuary with care and final arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Carolyn Kay (Kendall) Jones, please visit our floral store.

Robert Howard Swan, 91, of rural Lagro, Indiana, died at 2:00 am, Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at his home.  He was born on January 21, 1933, in Wabash County, Indiana, to John Wesley and Reba J. (Renner) Swan.

Bob was a 1951 graduate of Lagro High School and served in the US Air Force. He married Clara Maxine Wilson at the Richvalley E.U.B. Church on May 30, 1952; she died July 6, 2020. Bob was a longtime farmer and also drove school bus for MSD of Wabash County several years. He was a member of the Lagro Fellowship Church, the Masonic Lodge, and the Fort Wayne Scottish Rite. He pitched and played softball into his 50s, and enjoyed dairy farming. Bob was an avid Purdue Boilermaker fan. He was also an avid Chicago Cubs fan, and was happy to witness them win the 2016 World Series.  

He is survived by four sons, David (Lecretia) Swan and Larry Swan, both of Lagro, Mike Swan of Valdosta, Georgia, and Bobby (Missy) Swan of Lagro; seven grandchildren, Tricia (Mark) Anderson, Megan (Heath) Lehner, Nicole (Mike) Couch, Todd (Julie) Swan, Brent (Danielle) Swan, Kevin (Casey) Swan, and Jared (Alana) Swan; and 12 great grandchildren.  He was also preceded in death by his parents, and three brothers.

Funeral services will be 10:30 am, Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Lagro Fellowship Church, 110 Main Street, Lagro, with Rev. Melissa Rice officiating. Burial will be in Lagro Cemetery.  Friends may call 4-7 pm Friday, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash.

Preferred memorial is Lagro Cemetery Association.

The memorial guest book for Bob may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.

Archie L. Whitton, Jr., 84, Marion, IN, passed away at 5:17 am on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at Wesleyan Health Care & Rehabilitation Center in Marion. He was born in Owingsville, Kentucky, on Tuesday, December 26, 1939, to Archie and Lottie (Estill) Whitton, Sr.  He was married to Ronda Good, who preceded him in death.

Archie attended Marion High School and was a truck driver for 40 years with Hartson-Kennedy, working 100 hours a week.  He had driven over 4 million miles over his career.  He enjoyed watching TV, particularly UFC fights, and was a big fan of IU sports and the Colts.

Survivors include his son, Michael (Martha) Whitton of Stockton, CA; daughters, Lamona (Randy) Crago of Huntington, Dreama Marshall of Greenfield, Connie (Bob) Hulka of The Villages, FL, Jennie Camblin of Marion, and Shanna (Richie) Bryant of Peru; sisters, Millie Adams, Linda Frankenfield of Florida, and Vicki (Tim) Creech of Huntington; granddaughters, Amber, Ashley, Alyssa, Alaina, Ariah, Shelby, and Jenna; grandsons, Ross and Brayden; several great-grandchildren; and special family friend, Thomas Marshall of Summitville.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; son, Mark Richard Fansler; granddaughter, Alecia Corder; brothers, George Washington Whitton, Demaree C. Whitton, Robert Whitton, and Allie C. Whitton; and sister, Shirley Rhodes.

Inurnment will take place at a later date at Grant Memorial Park, 1606 W. 26th St., Marion, IN.

Arrangements are entrusted to Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral & Cremation Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN.

Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Archie, please visit our floral store.