Judith A. “Judy” Smelser
Judith A. “Judy” Smelser, 86, of Walton, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Sunday, September 1, 2024, at 7:05 p.m. from her home. Judy was born May 9, 1938, in Muncie, Indiana, to Francis “Bud” and Lela (Mendenhall) McKinley. She married the love of her life, Charley A. Smelser Jr. on July 28, 1957. Charley preceded her in death on June 29, 2021.
Judy loved the Lord with all her heart and served Him every day. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother to all her family. She loved gardening and quilting and was a wonderful caregiver. She loved helping others.
Surviving family include her children, Ernie and wife Nancy Smelser of Flora; Daniel Smelser of Galveston and grandchildren, Amanda Verdusco, Samantha (Shawn) Scott, Kayla Smelser, and Michael Smelser, great-grandchildren Cora and Colton Scott. Judy is preceded in death by her parents, husband Charley, son Charley Alan, one sister and six brothers.
Visitation will take place on Friday, September 6, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Murray Weaver Funeral Home in Galveston. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 p.m. with Louie Tucker officiating. Judy will be laid to rest next to her husband Charley in Galveston Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the American Cancer Society in her memory.
Murray Weaver Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. www.murrayweaverfuneralhome.com
Patricia Ann Haigh
Patricia Ann Haigh, 88, of Tipton, died Sunday, September 1, 2024. She was born in Mulliken, Michigan on November 24, 1935, to Guy and Dorothy (Morgan) Mead. She married Robert “Bob” Haigh on July 17, 1953.
She lived most of her life in Mulliken and raised her three children there. Pat retired as a manager at the A&W Restaurant in Grand Ledge, Michigan. She enjoyed playing the piano and used her talents at her church as one of the pianists and directing the choir. She was also an avid reader, serving on her local library board for several terms, and a wonderful knitter, who shared her love of it by being a 4-H leader for many years.
She is survived by son, Gale Haigh and wife Kendra of Kokomo, daughter, Polly Redmond and husband Tom of Tipton. Grandchildren include John Walsh, Nicole Smith, Kelly Redmond, Logan Redmond, Skye Haigh, Alex Haigh and Kala Millis.
Patricia has seven great-grandchildren, and a sister, Yvonne Nelson. She was preceded in death by her husband Bob, daughter and son-in-law, Maureen and Randy Scholtens, and three sisters.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at the Meadow Brook Cemetery in Mulliken, Michigan with Rev. Chad Rogers presiding.
The family is asking that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to your local library.
Young-Nichols Funeral Home is honored to assist the Haigh family in their time of need.
Mary Dorthea Flora
Mary Dorthea Flora, 98, Kokomo, passed away at her home on Friday, August 30, 2024. She was born in Kokomo, IN, on July 4, 1926, to Ross Edmund and Elsie Mae (Walker) Oyler. On July 3, 1952, she married Richard D. Flora, (of Flora, IN) in Wabash, IN, and he preceded her in death on July 24, 2009.
Mary graduated from Kokomo High School in 1944 and later attended Indiana University-Kokomo. She had many jobs throughout her life, including working in assembly and inspection for Delco Electronics for 16 ½ years, Chrysler, and Public Service Indiana. She also managed family real estate, owning rental properties, and managing the family farm from 2009 to 2013.
Mary was a 50-year member at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Kokomo, and over the years volunteered time and resources for various civic and humanitarian charities and organizations.
Hobbies included traveling at home and abroad, enjoying her home, and especially the array of plants and flowers on her patio, which she loved to look upon from her kitchen in her final days.
Mary loved singing, music and was an incredible piano player herself. She enjoyed being a great cook and hostess for family gatherings, and Mary always took pride in her appearance with a lively fashion sense as a graduate of Patricia Stephens Modeling School.
Befitting her July 4th birthday, Mary’s long life will be remembered, cherished, and celebrated by her loved ones for her unique, sparkling personality, a zest for sharing stories, her ability to have fun with life, and for bringing élan and laughter to every gathering of family and friends.
Mary is survived by her sons, Grant (Jennifer) Flora, of Lafayette, Kent Flora, of Denver, CO, and Lance Flora, of Camden. Affectionately known as “Mimi” to relatives and friends, she is also survived her granddaughters, Sara (Joe) Cox and Emily (Matt) Webb, and great-grandchildren, Aydan and Olivia Cox, and Eli and Alex Webb. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her sister, Laveta Murphy.
A private graveside service will be held at Maple Lawn Cemetery in Flora, IN. A family celebration of life will take place later.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the charity of your choice. Stout and Son Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.stoutandson.com.
