Elaine Briggs 81, Rochester, and formerly of Kokomo, passed away at 12:52 A.M. Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at Life Care Center of Rochester.
She was born on June 26, 1944 in Kokomo, Indiana, the daughter of William L. and Juanita (Moody) Barkhaus. She graduated from Kokomo High School in 1963 and attended Ball State University and Murray State University. On September 4, 1992 she married John B. Briggs. He preceded her in death on October 26, 2025.
Elaine retired from Indiana University Kokomo where she worked as assistant to the vice chancellor. Elaine and her husband built their home on Lake Manitou in 2003. The lake was Elaine’s “Heaven on Earth”. She loved the years and years of hosting many dinners and get togethers with family and old friends. She enjoyed reading, cross stitch, growing flowers in her garden, feeding her hummingbirds, vacations in Florida, holidays and outings with family. She especially loved the “shopping till they drop” shopping sprees with her daughter, Kristi. Many people would consider Elaine a “city girl” but when Kristi was growing up, they lived on a working farm in Northern Indiana where they raised animals, baled hay and maintained a large garden.
Church life was an important to Elaine, she had been a member of the Faith Presbyterian Church, Kokomo, Indiana and Community Presbyterian Church, Rochester, Indiana, where she served as Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, sang in the choir, and served on many church committees and projects.
Survivors include her daughter, Kristi (Charlie Wappes) Coe, Warsaw, Indiana, sister, Linda (David) McFatridge, Kokomo, Indiana, niece, Jessica (Jonathan) Hollingsworth, nephew, Andrew (Nicole) McFatridge, great nephews and nieces, Hadley, Henry, Harper, Tate, brother-in-law, David (Bettie) Briggs, Plainfield, Massachusetts, step-daughters, Patty (Brian) Zebell, Branson, Missouri, Mary (Jim) Michaelson, Crystal Lake, Illinois, step-son, Andy Briggs, St. Michael, Minnesota, step-grandchildren, Ryan (Laurel) Gilbert, Zachary Zebell, Christian Kaiser, Lucas Kaiser, Madison Briggs, Ethan Briggs, Emma Briggs, step great grandchildren, Sarah Gilbert and Alina Gilbert. She was preceded in death by her parents, grandmother “Nanny” and her sweet dog “Rosie”.
Funeral service will be conducted at 4:00 P.M. Sunday, December 21, 2025 at Community Presbyterian Church, Rochester, Indiana. Friends may visit from 3:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. Sunday, December 21, 2025 at the church. Private entombment will take place at Sunset Memory Gardens, Kokomo, Indiana.
Elaine’s daughter and sister would like to thank the wonderful nurses and staff at Life Care Center who loved and cared for Elaine while she was there. Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Presbyterian Church, Rochester, Indiana, or the Allies for Greyhounds, Inc., where her grand-dog “Happy” came from, at P.O. Box 63, Grandville, Michigan, 46468. Arrangements by Zimmerman Bros. Funeral Home, Rochester, Indiana. Online condolences may be expressed at www.zimmermanbrosfh.com
