Obituaries

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of William (Billy) Lee Moler Jr., a devoted father, loving husband, and passionate mechanic, who left this world at the age of 64, still fighting, on November 21, 2025.

Born in Indianapolis, Indiana to William Moler and Delona (Moler) Bottoms, Billy was known for his unstoppable spirit and his drive to go. He famously stated, “I’ll get all the sleep I need when I’m dead,” a testament to his relentless drive and tireless work ethic.

In addition to his parents, Billy was preceded in death by his sister Charlene Boyles & brothers Johnny Moler and “Little” Gary Bottoms.

Billy is survived by his lovey wife, Wendy; his son, Levi; and his stepsons, Christian and Brenden. He is also survived by his brother Eric Moler; his stepfather (Dad), Gary Bottoms; stepsisters Linda, Laura, and LeeAnn, along with extended family and friends.

From an early age, Billy developed a profound and enduring love for cars, which blossomed into a lifelong career as a mechanic. He excelled in various fields, with a remarkable knack for fixing just about anything. His hands were capable of incredible work, and he possessed an ear and eye for detail that noticed even the smallest flaws, demonstrating exceptional skill, patience, and pride in everything he touched.

His need for speed and passion for racing defined much of his life until T1 diabetes placed that chapter on pause. Even then, his enthusiasm for building cars and making mechanical wonders run at their best never diminished. Whether restoring, rebuilding, or optimizing, Billy found joy in bringing machines back to life.

Billy was a devoted father and husband who dedicated his life to his son Levi. He was not just a father, he was a homeschool teacher, imparting his vast knowledge with passion and patience. He shared his skills not only with Levi but also with neighbors whenever needed. He taught Levi how to work on anything, including Levi’s passion for customizing and restoring classic cars. Over the last few years, you could find them together almost any waking hour. Through laughter and perseverance, he taught firsthand, practical skills and a love of learning that transcended textbooks.

He honored and protected his strong-willed wife, Wendy, creating a partnership built on mutual respect and admiration. Together, they raised a family founded on love, respect, and the value of hard work, filling their home with warmth and laughter.

Billy embraced values rooted in faith, discipline, creativity, and perseverance. A dedicated stepfather, Gary Bottoms taught love, respect, and the value of stability.

Beyond his family, Billy was a loyal friend and valued member of the community. No task was too daunting; he had the rare ability to fix nearly anything, whether it be a broken machine or a problem someone could not solve alone. His generosity and readiness to help left an impression on all who knew him.

In October, while working in the field with Levi, Billy suffered a brain aneurysm which should have killed him, but he fought through a series of health challenges, including four strokes. After 18 days of rest in critical care, he went to Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana. While he made significant strides in rehabilitation and was preparing to go home, he passed unexpectedly due to possible aspiration pneumonia. He demonstrated the strength and resilience that defined him to the very end.

Billy will be deeply missed and fondly remembered for his incredible knowledge, zealous dedication, and the love and support he freely shared with those who knew him. His spirit will continue to inspire and guide those he leaves behind, a legacy of generosity, skill, and heart.

Family and friends gathered to celebrate his life on Saturday. December 20, 2025 at Cataract Baptist Church, starting at 4 PM, Ceremony at 5 PM, followed by a pitch-in.

Jimmy J. Harris, 90, of Muncie, Indiana, passed away peacefully in his home on November 30, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was born on April 16, 1935, in Twinton, Tennessee, the son of Elmer Oliver Harris and Diza Mae Threet.

Jimmy proudly served his country in the United States Navy during the 1950s. Following his military service, he built a long and steady career as a semi driver, working for both Lee Motor Lines and Marsh Supermarkets. Throughout his life, Jimmy was known for his strong work ethic, steady presence, and the quiet kindness he shared with those around him. He was a faithful member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Muncie and valued the relationships he formed with his church family.

Surviving are his loving wife of 69 years, Phyllis (Chalfant) Harris; four children, Vicki Smith Cox of Selma, Sherry Harris of Muncie, Ronnie Harris of Clawson, Michigan, and Steve & Hoy Harris of Fremont, Ohio; one brother, Freddie Harris of Twinton, Tennessee; and eight grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers; five sisters; and one grandchild.

A celebration of Jimmy’s life will be planned at a later date.

On November 7, 2025, at 9:13 pm, Jesus came to take Dolores Wood to the eternal home He has prepared for her. Dolores was born on March 11, 1936, in Garfield, NJ, to Frank and Josephine (Ciolino) Garippa, the 11th of 13 siblings. She grew up in Garfield for the first 23 years of her life. After attending a Billy Graham crusade, she surrendered her life to Jesus Christ and felt a strong calling to be a missionary. She attended Columbia Bible College in South Carolina in order to prepare herself for missionary work in Southeast Asia. It was there she met her husband and life partner in serving the LORD, Chester Wood. They married on August 8, 1964, at Calvary Baptist Church in Clifton, NJ. Together they began an adventurous life following the LORD’s leading to Scotland, Singapore, the Philippines, Minnesota, Kenya and finally to Indiana in 2007. They had four daughters: Elisabeth Ann (born in Highland Park, IL), Rebekah Joy (born in Siloam Springs, AK), Ruth Abbey (born in St. Andrews, Scotland) and Deborah Susan (born in Manila, Philippines).

Throughout her life, Dolores cherished being a mother, homemaker and missionary. She had the gracious gift of hospitality and enjoyed preparing Italian food and sweets for family and guests in her home. She cared deeply for the poor and as a missionary she shared the love of Jesus with everyone who crossed her path. She was faithful in prayer for many – both those she knew personally and others she never met. Dolores loved writing poetry, listening to classical music and Italian opera, and attending concerts with Chester.

Dolores is survived by her beloved husband Chester; her siblings Rachel, Dorothy, and Robert (Del) Garippa; her children Elisabeth (Wayne) Bloomquist, Rebekah (Greg) Decker; Ruth (Robert) Dagit, and Deborah Wood; and her grandchildren Jared (Kristen), Eva and Elodie Decker, and Alexander, Gabriel and Justus Dagit. She is preceded in death by her siblings Matilda, Esther, David, Mary, Lydia, Ruth, Matthew, Elizabeth and Hannah Garippa.

A memorial service will be held at 3 pm, Friday, November 21, 2025, at Faith Church, 9125 North College Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46240. The service will be in-person and accessible online. To join online, go to https://faithchurchindy.online.church/.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Christian Leaders for Africa (CLA) for the PhD program at the Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology (NEGST) [P.O. Box 3302 Carmel, IN 46082].

Matthew 6:33: Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness…

This is the story of a man named Stephen Payne, told by the people who love him. Stephen was born on November 20, 1968 in Muncie, Indiana at Ball Memorial Hospital. He spent his childhood living with his family around the country in Indianapolis, Chicago, Cupertino, and Atlanta.

Stephen often spoke fondly of his time in Atlanta, Georgia, remembering the farm where his family lived. He sometimes lamented about a pet cow named T-Bone that eventually became dinner. He enjoyed driving his go-cart around the property, including into the pond one day. Stephen graduated from Lassiter High School in Roswell, Georgia.

After briefly attending Kennesaw State University, Stephen joined the United States Navy in 1991. He graduated from Defense Information School (DINFOS) at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis. He put his journalist training to work as a Navy broadcaster during his deployment in Diego Garcia, a US military base on an island in the British Indian Ocean. There he hosted his own morning radio show and spent a good amount of time in the sun fishing with friends. By the time of Stephen’s Honorable Discharge in 1996, he held the role of Journalist Third Class, and he was awarded two Navy commendation medals as well as a Navy Achievement Medal.

After the Navy, Stephen met and later married Michelle Ann Marks in April 1999. They had two daughters, Ellie (born 2004) and Phoebe (born 2009). Stephen held many roles throughout his life as a veteran, small business owner, and salesman, but his proudest was being a father. His favorite book to read to his girls was You are Special by Max Lucado. The story aligned with his strong value system that recognized what made people different is also what made them special. He was an advocate for veterans, people with disabilities, and the homeless. He often joked that animals, babies, and older folks liked him best. He dearly loved his Great Dane, Daisy May Payne.

Stephen passed away at his home in Noblesville, Indiana; he was 56 years old. He will be remembered by his two daughters, Elizabeth Shelby Payne and Phoebe Katelyn Payne; his parents Sam and Jeanne Payne; his three siblings, Jackson Payne (Megan Hart); Eric Payne (Lesley Kuhl); and Samantha Offringa (Barry); his uncle Troy Rose (Kim); his six nieces and nephews, Maxim Payne; Kathryn, Audrey, and Thomas Payne; Odelia and Theia Offringa; and many beloved cousins and friends. They will now live with the best parts of him in their hearts and will continue to tell his story.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Alma and Bill Stelzer; Mariana and Jackson Payne; and aunts Kris Payne Rose (Troy) and Sonya Payne Wendel (Charlie). The family welcomes those who wish to celebrate Stephen’s life to gather in the Theodore Room at the Fort Harrison Inn, 5830 N Post Road, Indianapolis, IN 46216 on Saturday, November 29, 2025 from 2 to 5pm.

For those interested and able to make a donation on Stephen’s behalf, please support the charities he favored, including Indy Honor Flight, a nonprofit that sends veterans to Washington D.C., or Wheeler Mission, a local homeless shelter.

“… I think you are pretty special.”   – You are Special by Max Lucado

Jody Featherstun departed from this life at the age of 80 on November 1, 2025, peacefully in memory care in Noblesville, IN. Jody was born the daughter of Bob and Wanda Backes in Olney, Illinois, on February 19, 1945. She grew up in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, where she sang weekly at Park Avenue Baptist Church which was broadcast on the radio, sang in choirs and performances such as school Operettas at Mt. Vernon Township High School, and eventually met the love of her life, Glen Featherstun. Jody and Glen were married for 60 beloved years.

Throughout her life she enjoyed singing (solo and in choirs), playing golf, bowling, going to the beach in southwest Florida, devoting her time as a volunteer for Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Decatur, IL, volunteering for The American Red Cross in Decatur, serving as an election judge on every election day in Decatur, and spending precious time with her immediate and extended family and friends. During her life she served as president of the congregation and elder of Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Decatur, was president of her P.E.O. Chapter GR in Decatur, and for a short time was a realtor with Lyle Campbell and Son in Decatur. She was a cherished wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.

She leaves behind cherished memories with husband Glen, son Jeff Featherstun (wife Cindy) of Indianapolis, IN, daughter Julie Crague (husband Jeff) of Noblesville, IN, granddaughter Lauren Featherstun, grandson Nolan Featherstun, granddaughter Isabelle Crague, brothers Greg Backes (wife Debby) of Mt Vernon, IL, and Keith Backes (wife Jeannie) of Mt. Zion, IL, as well as countless extended family and friends who mourn her loss. She was preceded in death by her parents Wanda and Bob Backes.

Her family is eternally grateful to Jody’s caregivers throughout her dementia journey over the past 3 and a half years at Prairie Lakes Health Campus in Noblesville, IN, and to her hospice caregivers and volunteers over the past year through Heart to Heart Hospice, Fishers, IN. Each one of these angels made Jody’s quality of life greater, and blessed her family with peace of mind as they enjoyed quiet moments with her.

A celebration of life service will be planned at Central Christian Church, Decatur, in the coming year.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to either Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 650 W William St, Decatur, IL 62522 central@cccdisciples.org, or Geist Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 12756 Promise Road, Fishers, IN 46038 promiseroad@geistchristian.org. Please note Jody Featherstun in your donation.

Janis Lee Detmer, 74, of Fortville, passed away peacefully in her home on October 24, 2025, following an extended illness. She was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on November 7, 1950, to the late James and Violet (Johnson) Detmer.

A graduate of North Central High School, Janis continued her education at Ivy Tech Community College where she earned her associate degree in Computer Technology. She was employed with the Indiana Department of Revenue for 15 years, where she managed a team of software engineers. She later worked as a trainer in the call center at American Trans Air and eventually retired from Starbucks’ Mid-America office in 2015 after 11 years of dedicated service.

Janis loved music–especially jazz and the smooth vocals of Rosemary Clooney, along with the sunny, feel-good sounds of The Beach Boys. She was an avid reader of murder mysteries and enjoyed watching mysteries and true-crime programs. She had a great love of board and card games that she developed while playing her cousins at her beloved grandparents farm in southern Indiana as a child. She was part of The Game Night Girls along with her friends Julie, Sandy, Judy, Patty, Dawn and Heidi who would gather to eat, drink and play word games. Game nights will not be the same without her.

She is survived by her brother Greg (Ann) Detmer, her nephew Christopher; and nieces Karyn and Kathrine. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Steve.

Jan requested no services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in her memory. A tribute page has been set up in her name: Visit Tribute Page