Loretta G. Umbarger

Loretta G. Umbarger, age 76, passed away peacefully at home on May 9th, 2026, surrounded by loving family, entering a long-awaited rest, released from the challenges of prolonged illness. 

Born in Cullman, Alabama on May 29th, 1949, Loretta was the eldest of nine children. Raised by her parents, Margaret Virginia and Louie Ershel Bolan, she spent time growing up in Joliet, Indianapolis, and Cullman. She attended Lockport West High School in Romeoville, and graduated from Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis, where she met her future husband, Richard. She worked at the Herff-Jones office in Indianapolis while awaiting Richard’s return home from Vietnam. Loretta and Richard married in Lockport, IL on June 29th, 1970, and put roots down in Joliet, IL, eager to start their own family. Motherhood meant everything to her. In 1990 Loretta & Richard moved to Kokomo, relocating for Richard’s job at General Motors. Loretta worked at Meijer in Kokomo for many years, and whenever she shopped there after her retirement, she always connected with friends who were happy to visit and hug her neck. 

Loretta loved God, Jesus, her children, and her family. She thoroughly enjoyed a delicious meal, along with all desserts and chocolate. Loretta loved listening to music, including the Beatles, Linda Ronstadt, and all 60s music. She will always be remembered for her love of her huge extended family, and her dedication to God, faithfully attending church her entire life. Loretta loved all people and cared deeply for anyone in need. Loretta cherished her children and couldn’t have been a more devoted grandmother. We miss her with every passing moment and will never forget her kind and generous spirit. 

It’s a blessing to her and her family knowing she found peace and love in her final moments, despite the long challenging journey of Alzheimer's disease.

Loretta is survived by her five devoted children, Wendy (Daniel) Pitts, Jeffrey Umbarger, Richard "Richie" L. Umbarger Jr., Sandra Johnson and Jason Umbarger; her grandchildren, Arianna Shuler, Cailee Morgan, Trent (Jessi) Umbarger, Brittany Jackson, Alyssa Price, Hanna Jackson, Aidan Pitts and Devon Pitts; and, great grandchildren: Waylon Morgan, Cameron Tackett, Grayson Umbarger, Lynleigh Morgan, and Auriella “Gracie” Yockey. She is also survived by her adored siblings: Byron (Chris) Bolan, Rex V. Bolan, Barbara Lott, Glenda Mason, Gordon (Sara) Bolan, Janice F. (Mark) Orsini, and Gregory A. Bolan; as well as a multitude of beloved aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Richard L. Umbarger; her mother, Margaret Virginia (nee Murphree) Bolan; her father, Louie Ershel Bolan; and her sister, Rita Valora (nee Bolan) Parker. 

A funeral service  will be held at 10:45 am Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Rd., Kokomo, IN, with Pastor Lynn Coleman officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 9:00 am until service time at the funeral home. Entombment will follow in Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery. Donations to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund are appreciated: https://curealz.org/. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

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