Richard Martin

May 24, 1968 – Jan. 5, 2006

Richard Bruce Martin Jr., 37, Burnettsville, graced heaven with his presence at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, 2006. He passed in the home of his parents, Richard Bruce Sr. and Judy Martin, Kokomo.

Richard was a 1986 graduate of Kokomo High School. After a brief time in the U.S. Air Force, he spent 16 years employed with Globe Valve, Gerber Plumbing Fixtures and L.L.C. in Delphi. Upon ceasing production with Globe Valve and with the aid of Cindy Hicks at the White County Work One Agency, Richard returned to school to finish a college degree for which he had been striving for seven years.

Richard was a 2004 graduate of Ivy Tech State College in Lafayette and obtained an associate’s degree in machine tool technology with specialties in CNC operations and tool and die. After obtaining his degree, he was hired by Paula Thoennes of Ball Corporation in Monticello as a front end maintainer.

Richard was a member of Emmanuel Free Will Baptist Church of Wabash and was baptized on Aug. 14, 2005. He was diagnosed with a terminal illness and was given a wonderful quality of life due to the phenomenal care he received by each and every health care professional who treated him: Dr. Wael Harb and the staff of Horizon Oncology, Dr. Peter Hillsamer and the staff of Lafayette ENT, Dr. Irene Gordon and the staff of Faith Hope and Love Cancer Center, all of Lafayette, as well as all of the medical professionals at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America located in Zion, Ill.

In his final weeks, Dr. Stephen Power and the nurses and staff of Guardian Angel Hospice in Kokomo gave Richard the peace to grace heaven with his presence while at home surrounded by family members who loved and cared for him.

 

Richard is survived by his wife, Latesha L. (Buckley) Martin, Burnettsville; a daughter, Ashley Nicole Martin, Russiaville; Deborah (Zarse) Jones, Russiaville; two brothers and a sister, Michael J. Sr. and wife Lisa J. Kissinger, Flora, Amanda K. (Kissinger) and husband Kevin L. Williams, Kokomo and Benjamin T. Martin, Bluffton.

 

Funeral services are 2 p.m. Monday at Ellers Mortuary Main Street Chapel, 725 S. Main St., with Pastor Douglas K. Phillips officiating. Richard will be laid to rest in Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery.

Shelley Shaw

Shelley Ann Shaw, 24 2301 Carmelita Blvd., died at 1:31 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, 1992, in Saint Joseph Hospital & Health Center.

Shelley was born Jan. 11, 1968, in Kokomo, the daughter of Floyd C. and Marcia A. (Leep) Shaw.

 

Shelley was a member of Full Gospel Tabernacle Church and worked at Sunshine Day Care Center.

 

Surviving are her parents of Kokomo; two brothers, James Matthew Shaw of Germany and Jeremy Curtis Shaw at home; maternal grandparents, George and Betty Leep of Kokomo; and paternal grandmother, Mrs. James (Betty) Shaw-Greer of Kokomo.

 

Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Ellers Mortuary. The Rev. James Ball Sr. will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Don Stidham

Donald L. Stidham II, 23, 109 Chateau Court, died at 3:55 a.m. Thursday, Feb 7, 1991, in Miami County.

Don was born Aug. 6, 1967, in Kokomo, the son of Donald L. and Shirley M. (DeBaillie) Stidham.

 

A 1986 graduate of Haworth High School (Kokomo High School), he was a construction worker for Camp Construction.

 

Surviving with his parents are a sister, Maryann Stidham, and paternal grandfather, Irwin Stidham, all of Kokomo.

 

Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in Ellers Mortuary. Burial will be in Sunset Memory Gardens.

Update: Many of our classmates may not be aware, but at the time Donnie passed away he was engaged to be married and his fiance (Kellie Ooley) was 5 1/2 months pregnant with their daughter. It is wonderful to know that a part of Donnie lives on in his beautiful daughter, Jessica Breann Stidham. Jessica will graduate from Kokomo High School with the Class of 2009.  Jessica, even though you may have not gotten to know your dad, we can attest that Donnie was an important part of our class and he will never be forgotten.

John White

Largo, Fla., -- John M. White, 34, formerly of Kokomo died at 2:03 p.m. Thursday, April 11, 2002 at Largo Medical Center. Born July 10, 1967, in Kokomo, he was the son of Michael L. and Sheryl “Sherry” A. (Knight) White.

 

John Graduated from Kokomo High School in 1986. He was a boat maker and an artist, and was formerly an employee of Harmon Boats in Sharpsville. He was a member of Morning Star Church and enjoyed hunting and fishing.

 

Survivors include his parents of St. Petersburg, Fla., son Joshua Smith, Kokomo; sister and brother-in-law Michelle and Keith Etherington, Kokomo; maternal grandmother Edith Knight, Kokomo; paternal grandfather and step-grandmother Leon and Dorothy White, Burlington; nephews Aaron Laird and Michael Etherington; niece Ashley Laird; aunts and uncles Kevin and Jackie Shaffer, Bill and Diane Baker, Danny and Jill White, Randy and Mary White and Tonda and Darrell Cockrell. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather and paternal grandmother.

 

Services are 10 a.m. Wednesday at Ellers Mortuary Webster Street Chapel, 3400 S. Webster St. Rev. Garry Miller will officiate. Burial will follow at Beacon Cemetery.

 

(Rumor has it, John was one hell of a roller-skater and ladies man back in the day at South Side Super Skate. We’ll never forget you John!)

Greg Willis

Gregory Scott Willis, 26, 2690 N. Washington St., died at approximately 1:40pm Friday, May 5, 1995, in Jackson County as the result of a motorcycle accident.

 

Greg was born July 8, 1968, in Kokomo, to Leonard and Cindy A. (Huey) Willis Jr.

 

Greg graduated from Kokomo High School in 1986 and worked at Wendy’s and Rally’s restaurants. He then went into the U.S. Army in 1989. He served during Desert Shield, Desert Storm and the Persian Gulf. He was discharged in 1993 and went to work for Chrysler Transmission as a machine operator.

 

Greg was a member of the United Auto Workers Local 685.

 

Surviving are a daughter, Shawnte’ LaPrecia Willis of Kokomo; parents Leonard and Cindy A. Willis Jr. of Kokomo; a sister and brother-in-law, Kimberly L. Willis and Rodney L. Vervynckt of Fort Wayne; one nephew, Cody J. Vervynckt of Fort Wayne; one niece, Brittany Vervynckt of Fort Wayne; maternal grandparents, Robert and Elva Huey of Kokomo; aunts and uncles, Ronald and Marietta Riddle of Kokomo, Connie Skaggs of Kokomo, Ebert and Nona Williams of Bennetts Switch, Bob Huey Jr. of Kokomo, Harold R. Willis of Cassville, Joanne Barnes of Kokomo and Master Sgt. Steve and Annette Grady of London, England; and several cousins.

 

Greg was preceded in death by paternal grandparents Leonard R. and Anne B. Willis

 

Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Ellers Mortuary Main Street Chapel. The Rev. John D. Hall will officiate. Burial will be Memorial Park Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1152.