BITUARIES

Traci R. Little

Health Care Lawyer

Traci R. Little, 59, Indianapolis, formerly of Rochester, passed away at 3:13 a.m. Sunday, June 25, 2023, at Eskenazi Hospital, Indianapolis.

She was born July 30, 1963, in Rochester, the daughter of John and Terra (Mollencupp) Little. She graduated from Rochester High School in 1981 and continued her studies receiving her bachelor’s degree from Indiana University.

Traci started her professional career working in marketing for Miller’s Merry Manor Nursing Homes and attending law school at Indiana University. She graduated from Indiana University McKinney School of Law in 1998. Specializing in health care law, Traci worked for various law firms in Indianapolis before becoming corporate counsel for Guidant Corporation and later Boston Scientific Corporation. She was currently employed with the Elizabeth Marshall State Farm Insurance Agency in Indianapolis.

Traci had served on the Rochester City Council form 1992-1994, had been a member of the Lions Club, Indiana State Board of Nursing and the Mount Pleasant Methodist Church, Indianapolis. She volunteered numerous years at the Indianapolis 500 and had served on the Indianapolis 2012 Super Bowl Committee. In her leisure time, she was an avid NASCAR fan, loved to collect memorabilia, read and travel the world on adventures.

Survivors include her mother, Terra Little, Indianapolis; father, John (Sue) Little, Rochester; aunts, Carol and special uncle Denny Stevenson and family, Downey, Calif., and Sandra Migonis, Rochester; uncle, George Mollencupp and family, Dayton, Ohio; cousin, Jeff Ferrell, Rochester; “brother” exchange student, Hinrich, Germany; and several cousins.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents.

Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 29, at Zimmerman Bros. Funeral Home, Rochester. Friends visited from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial was in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Rochester.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fulton County Animal Adoption and Education Center or the American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be expressed at www.zimmermanbrosfh.com.

Cyrus E. Beaird

Retired Sergeant

Cyrus E. “Ed” Beaird, 71, Kewanna, passed away at 12:42 p.m. Sunday, June 25, 2023, at his residence.

He was born Oct. 1, 1951, in Rochester, the son of Chance Edward and Bertha Mae (McGee) Beaird. Ed had been a lifelong resident of Fulton County.

Ed started his professional career working at New Holland Ford as service manager. His passion for serving and law enforcement, led him to serve over 32 years with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department, where he retired in 2015 as sergeant. After retiring from the sheriff’s department, he worked part-time for Wilson’s Body Shop, Rochester.

He had been a member of the Eagles Lodge and Kewanna VFW. His passion in life was working on anything mechanical, having great pride in his two restored cars, a 1950 Studebaker and a 1963 1/2 Ford Galaxy 500. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, music, especially playing his guitar to his favorite country songs. Most of all, he loved being with his family, friends and his grandchildren.

Survivors include his companion, Jodi Miller, Kewanna; children, Jeanette (Dale) Cave, Macy, and Karie Pena, North Judson; grandchildren, Josh (Hannah) Haimbaugh, Rochester, Wade (Becky) Cave, Rochester, Cassidy (Andrew) Harlan, Rochester, Brodi Draper, Rochester, Nico Pena, Rochester, and A.J. Haimbaugh, Macy; great-grandchildren, Chance Cave, Payton Cave, Robin Harlan and Xena Draper; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, George Clark, Jack Clark, Earl “Junior” Clark, John L. O’Connor, John Sweet, Patricia Thomas, Barbara Jean Mason and Jerry Wayne Beaird; and stepdaughter, Tara Draper.

A time to celebrate Ed’s life will be announced at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fulton County Disabled American Veteran’s Fund.

Arrangements by Zimmerman Bros. Funeral Home, Rochester. Online condolences may be expressed at www.zimmermanbrosfh.com.

Kyla Ann Ellinger Former Volleyball Front Hitter

It is with profound sadness that the family of Kyla Ann Ellinger of Rochester announce her passing on June 26, 2023, at the age of 23.

Kyla, who was born on Jan. 9, 2000, in Plymouth, will be lovingly remembered by her fiance’, Justin Biltz; parents, Todd and Tammy Ellinger; children, Oliver McClellan and Thea Ellinger; siblings, Shauna (Ellinger) Fagan, Stephen Ellinger and Jacob Ellinger; grandparents, Ann (Leap) Blair, all of Rochester, and Dennis and Rebecca Ellinger, Plymouth; several aunts, uncles and cousins, as well as one niece and one nephew.

She was preceded in death by her older brother, Taylor Ellinger.

Kyla began her school years in the Plymouth school district where she excelled at gymnastics for several years at Jana’s Gymnastics. After moving to the Rochester School district her sixth grade, Kyla began her volleyball career. Kyla played as a front hitter in volleyball until her junior year when she chose to join the workforce as a responsible young adult.

She graduated a year early after deciding to start a beautiful family of her own. Her son Oliver and daughter Thea were cherished by her. She was an absolutely amazing mother and a mother to envy. As an adult, Kyla became one of the most caring, giving, authentic and committed friends one would ever meet. Her infectious smile and laughter lit up a room with ease.

Kyla also enjoyed music and art. She was self-taught on the piano and played it beautifully. She also loved to draw and paint. She has several paintings hanging in family members homes and has even sold a few. Kyla will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation was from 4-8 p.m. Friday, June 30, and 10-11 a.m. Saturday, July 1, at Zimmerman Bros. Funeral Home, Rochester. Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 1, at the funeral home with graveside services following at Leiters Ford Cemetery, Leiters Ford.

Memorial contributions may be made to Kyla Ellinger Memorial Fund for her children. Online condolences may be expressed at www. zimmermanbrosfh.com.