Stanley S. Stokes

Stanley Stuart Stokes, a devoted husband and father who later in life was known for helping others and connecting with friends at Trinity United Methodist Church in Warsaw and Grace Village in Winona Lake, passed away October 20. He was 92.

Born in Warsaw, Indiana, to Stuart and Marie Diehl Stokes on November 14, 1930, Stan graduated from Warsaw High School in 1948.

Stan served four years in the Navy during the Korean War. He attained the rank of First-Class Storekeeper while serving aboard the USS Valley Forge, an aircraft carrier.  He met his wife, Marcia Hartman, while home on leave in 1953 and they were married in April 1954.

After Navy discharge, Stan attended Manchester College, graduating in 1957. He taught seventh grade English in Warsaw for two years before taking a job as purchasing agent at Little Crow Foods. He retired from Little Crow after 31 years.

He was active in Trinity United Methodist Church, where he used his artistic performance gifts by creating and presenting biblical monologues. He enjoyed writing “stories in rhyme” and delivered them at various churches and retirement communities.

“Stan the Man” loved his family and made them a top priority. He was blessed with two daughters, Shari Lyn and Susan Lane, as well as his loving and caring wife, Marcia, who died in 2017 after years of battling multiple sclerosis. An infant daughter, Kathy, also preceded him in death.

Stan enjoyed playing the piano for Grace Village residents and was quietly known there for his assistance to fellow residents. Playing pool and cards at Grace Village with friends was a favorite pastime. He also enjoyed spoiling his cat, Abby. He was a lifetime sports fan and rooted for the Chicago Cubs.

Family survivors include daughters, Shari (Paul) Stokes Gores, of Brookfield, WI, and Susan (Ken) Stokes Boothe, of Dublin, OH; grandchildren, Jared Gores, of Mountain View, CA, Thomas (Leslie) Gores, of Menomonee Falls, WI, and Emily (Thomas) Sieben, of Morgantown, WV; and two great-grandchildren.

Titus Funeral Home is entrusted with the care of Stan and his family. Visitation will be held at the funerla home 2000 Sheridan Street on Friday, October 27, 2023, from 10:00 am until 12:00 Noon. At noon, Stan’s Life Celebration will begin with Pastor Glenn Hall officiating. He will be laid to rest next to his wife Marcia at Oakwood Cemetery. To honor Stan's memory, donations may be made to Grace Village Retirement Community, 337 Grace Village Dr, Winona Lake, IN 46590, or Trinity United Methodist Church, 832 E Center St, Warsaw, IN 46580.