Alyce Joan Uttinger

She was born on March 28, 1923, in Kokomo, Indiana. She was the third of eight siblings of the late George Austin Pemberton of England, and Alsace-Lorraine Grace (Stanton) Pemberton from Casey, Illinois.

On September 16, 1950, she married Nelson “Nels” Uttinger. In 1968, their union was blessed when they adopted son, Nelson “Mark” Uttinger. This trio continued the operation of the long-held Horin-Uttinger-Sorgdrager farmstead at 3146 N. Road 450 West near Northwestern until the couple’s retirement from their hog and acreage farming.

Her husband suffered with Agoraphobia not veering from the site of their acreage for decades. Neighboring farm families: Lovelaces, Millers,Shelleys, Manns, Crumes, Fortners, Dailys, O’Donnells, Hobbs, Duke, Barkers, Cooks, and Cox and others became a network of “family” support, to the couple.

Alyce (“Allie”) was known to give area kids their first jobs and babysat others. She was a hostess to family and friends and well known for her sweet ice tea. She was a good cook, loved gardening, playing cards, viewing photos, making noodles with her sister in law, Kathryn Conwell, and going out to eat at Denny’s, Puckett’s, Hardee’s and Wendy’s with those she loved.

The retired farm couple then worked together at Northwestern School where she retired from the cafeteria.

As a young lady, Alyce was an in-residence companion/assistant to Aura Critchlow at her beautiful white home at 414 W. Mulberry Street. She enjoyed a longtime friendship with Aura and her family. She graduated from Kokomo High School and worked for many years at Cuneo Radio.

The Pemberton-Stanton families were long-time members of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. She joined First Landmark Baptist Church of Kokomo in the years prior to her move to Michigan.

Her caregivers were her brother James “Jim” Pemberton, friend Anita Keesler, and nieces Jana Allspach, and April Wolfe-Scott.

She was “Nana” to her 2 grandchildren, Aaron (Sarah) Uttinger of Peru, and Chasity (Brian) Burnett, of Indianapolis, who survive with her five great-grandchildren, Christa Skinner, Eve and Grace Uttinger; and Brenden and Braylen Burnett. She is also survived by cousins, Marjorie Theroit, California, and locally, Charles Stanton; several nieces/nephews, including locally, April Wolfe-Scott, Edna Worthy and Anna Dollens, Gene (Sherrie) Uttinger, Terry (Kathy) Uttinger, Phil (Jeanne) Conwell and Joyce (James) Alexander, Tonia (Tom) Brummet and Steve (Paulette) Wolfe of Columbus, Roger (Diane) Wolfe, New Albany, Jana (Mike) Allspaugh, Michigan; Roseann Sapirie, Colorado.

She was predeceased by her husband, son, brothers; George, Joseph, James, sisters; Katherine, Doris Ellen, Grace Sapirie, Florence Wolfe, sister-in-laws; Kathryn Conwell, Betty Bostic and Dorothy Wooldridge, brother-in-law; Harold Uttinger, nephews; George Pemberton and Stanton Brahne Pemberton, and many cousins that include Norma Nader and Sarah Sharp.

This couple believed in taking care of each other and others; so the family suggests memorials be made to Kokomo Rescue Mission and Humane Society.

The funeral service will be held at 10:45 a.m. Monday at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home with Pastor Jeff Russell officiating. Burial will follow in Crown Point Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 to 10:45 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Messages of condolence may be expressed online at www.sunsetmemorygarden.com.