Obituaries
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Thelma Marie (Gerhardt) Penner
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Thelma Marie (Gerhardt) Penner, 77 years old, Kokomo, Indiana, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Monday, Aug. 23, 2010. She was a resident at Waterford Place Health Campus, Kokomo.
Thelma was born to the late Harry Albert Emil and Louise Marie (Stuenkel) Gerhardt on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 1933, in Netawaka, Kansas (Jackson County). God welcomed her into His family at baptism on Jan. 29, 1933, and confirmed her faith through the rite of confirmation on April 14, 1946. She married John Edward Penner of Peru, Indiana, on Sept. 12, 1954.
Thelma worked as a cook and cafeteria supervisor at Maple Crest Middle School in the 1970s and was self-employed as a seamstress. Thelma enjoyed sewing, needlework, travel and time with family. She was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi social, cultural and civic sorority and a missionary and quilter within the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Service Guild at The Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Kokomo. Thelma was an active member at the church for more than 50 years.
Thelma is survived by her beloved husband of 55 years, John. She was the beloved mother of two sons, David Wayne Penner and wife Janet Kay (Dammann) of Lake Zurich, Ill. and Gary Edward Penner and wife Janis Gale (Walters) of Fort Wayne, Ind.; and one daughter, Sara Louise Schamerloh and husband Richard J. of Fort Wayne.
She was also the beloved grandmother of four grandchildren: Andrew, Alison, Janie and Claire; and two sisters: Lois, Topeka, Kan.; and Dorothy, Omaha, Neb. Preceding her in death were: parents Harry Albert Emil and Louise Marie (Stuenkel) Gerhardt; and siblings Linda Kay (Auten) Gerhardt, Raymond Gerhardt, Lyle Gerhardt and Eldon “Joe” Gerhardt.
Visitation hours are 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 Lincoln Rd., Kokomo, and one hour before the service on Friday. Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 27, at The Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Kokomo, with the Rev. William Allison officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Preferred memorials are to: Thelma Penner Memorial, Lutheran Women’s Missionary Service Guild at The Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, 705 Southway Blvd., Kokomo, IN 46902 or: Thelma Penner Memorial, Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Indiana, 50 E. 91st St., Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46240.
Winefred A. "Kitty" Robinson
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Winifred A. “Kitty” Robinson, 91, Kokomo, died at 12:35 a.m. Monday, Aug. 23, 2010, at Howard Regional Health System.
She was born Sept. 30, 1918, in Petersburg, the daughter of Theo and Fay (Bradfield) France.
On June 9, 1939, in Petersburg, she married Clifton Robinson, who preceded her in death Feb. 15, 1989.
Kitty was a 1936 graduate of Petersburg High School.
She owned Kokomo Lumber with her husband and son and was also on the board of directors.
She was a member of the Christian Church in Winslow, Ind., Elks Ladies Auxiliary, Delta Theta Tau and past member of Kokomo County Club.
She was an accomplished bridge player and was still actively playing.
She is survived by her daughter, Lana Childress and husband Bobby, Kokomo; four grandchildren, Lisa Robinson, Brian Robinson, Rob Armstrong and wife Shannon, and Cari Heckman and husband James; seven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Michael; and four sisters.
Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2010, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, Lincoln Road Chapel, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, with Steve Cole officiating. Entombment will follow in Sunset Memory Gardens Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 1 p.m. until service time.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Vera M. Reel
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Vera M. Reel, 96, Kokomo, died Saturday, Aug. 21, 2010, at St. Joseph Hospital in Kokomo. She was born July 2, 1914, in Miami County, the daughter of Archibold and Estella (Zody) Shively. On June 14, 1934, she married Kenneth Chester Reel, who died April 29, 1979.
She was a homemaker and had worked at American Globe and Reliance Company and The Canning Factory in Kokomo. She was a 70-year active member in the Moose Lodge, where she was a cook and a member of Eagles Lodge both in Kokomo, and a member of Lucky Twelve euchre club. She enjoyed cooking, bowling, flowers and crafts.
Surviving are three sons, Robert E. (Sondra) Reel, Kokomo, Chester (Carolyn) Reel, Clearwater Fla., and Bill (Ida) Reel, Kokomo; a brother, Melvin “Buck” Shively, Kokomo; her 11 grandchildren, Todd Reel, Mark Reel, Beth Ann Jewell, Lynn (Roger) Waddell, Lori (Bo) Britton, Susan (Rick) Burns, Patrick (Megan) Reel, Debra (Roger) Stewart, Larry (Trish) Reel, Robert (Tammy) Reel; 22 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, three sisters and two brothers.
Service are 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2010, at Shirley and Stout Funeral Home, Lincoln Road Chapel, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo. Dr. Gary Carpenter will officiate. Burial will follow in Sunset Memory Gardens. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorial Contributions may be made to We Care.