Jesse B. "Jess" Horner

Jesse B. Horner, 92 of Kokomo, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at 3:53 p.m. from Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Kokomo. He was born July 14, 1929, in Frankton, Indiana to Hugh A. and Grace I. (Phagen) Horner. He married the love of his life, Evelyn (June) Naphew on July 5, 1953, at Rock Prairie Church and she survives. 

Jesse shared the love of Christ with everyone he met. He became a minister of the Gospel in 1957 and continued teaching and preaching the rest of his life. In 1969 he answered God’s call to pastor First Salem Baptist Church in Windfall, IN where he served for ten years. He later served as the senior pastor at Stars of Light Church in Kokomo for several years. After “retirement” he ministered as an encourager and mentor to many at First Baptist Church in Galveston, IN and Cornerstone Community Bible Church in Walton, IN where he was a member.

He was deeply involved in Youth for Christ Ministries and Christ for the World Missions. Missions were an especially important part of his life and dear to his heart. Throughout his life he and June traveled to multiple countries to work and support missionary friends and family around the globe.

He was co-owner, with his brother and father of Horner and Sons Drywall in Ft. Myers, FL from   1961 – 1969, then later established Horner Drywall in Kokomo, IN. Jesse also served his country after WW2 as an MP in the United States Army in Frankfort Germany.

Jesse loved his family! His seven children, their spouses, 16 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren were the pride of his life. The number of sporting events, music recitals, graduations, weddings, and grandparents’ day events are too numerous to count. He treated, loved and made time for each one as if they were the only one.

Jesse especially loved to travel with June and anyone else who wanted to tag along. He enjoyed cooking and working in his shop. Jesse was highly creative, and his first instinct was always to make it and not buy it. 

Surviving family include his wife, Evelyn (June) Horner of Kokomo; his children, Kim (Paris) Horner, Kokomo; Kerri (Bob) Pattison, Kokomo; Stan (Lisa) Horner, Anderson; Traci (Chuck) Renbarger, Jonesboro; Lori (Patrick) Connelly, Perrysburg, OH; Todd Horner, Seattle, WA; and Tory (Mariah) Horner of Kokomo. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister, Liz Yates and brothers, Earl and Leon Horner and daughter-in-law, Noelle Brown.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, from 4 – 8 p.m. at Galveston First Baptist Church, 207 S. Sycamore Street in Galveston. Funeral Services will follow at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 16, 2022, at Galveston First Baptist Church with Pastor Jeremy Jones officiating. Burial will follow services in Sunset Memory Gardens cemetery in Kokomo. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Kokomo Rescue Mission or Cornerstone Church building fund in Jesse’s honor. Murray Weaver Funeral Home in Galveston has been entrusted with arrangements.  www.murrayweaverfuneralhome.com  (For the protection of others, the family requests that attendees wear a mask.)

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