LeRoy Orlestus Stone, a lifelong resident of Fayette, died Monday evening, April 18, 2016, three months shy of his 100th birthday. He was born July 19, 1916, in Bucklin, KS, to the late James and Gladys (Yoakum) Stone. He married Sadie Barnhart on February 19, 1938, in Pioneer, and she preceded him in death on August 12, 2003.
LeRoy spent much of his working career as a farmer, as well as a factory worker and truck driver, and he retired from the former Star Dog Food Company in 1981. An outdoorsman, he enjoyed the leisure activities of fishing and golfing, and served for several years as a Boy Scout leader in Fayette. He also enjoyed bowling, caning, and expressing his talents in woodworking.
Surviving are two daughters, Sharon (Charles) Ruger of Fayette, and Kay Stannard of Ridgeville Corners, OH; a son, Keith (Sharon) Stone of Swanton, OH; two sisters, Betty Sheffer of Pittsford, MI, and Gladys (Willy) Cole of Osseo, MI; nine grandchildren, Jeffrey (Martina) Minton, C. Gregory (Jerri) Ruger, Steven (Julia) Ruger, Bradly (Heather) Ruger, Tamara (Scott) Burkholder, Timothy (Lauri) Stannard, Robert Stone, Ryan (Rebecca) Stone, and Rachel (Tony) Spackey; twenty-four great-grandchildren; and eight great-great grandchildren.
In addition to his parents and wife, LeRoy was preceded in death by a daughter, Shirley Cecil; five sisters; two brothers; and two grandsons, Tom Stannard and Scott Minton.
A funeral service for LeRoy will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at the Eagle Funeral Home in Fayette with Pastor Leonard White officiating. Following he will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife Sadie in Pleasant View Union Cemetery. The family will receive friends for a visitation on Friday from 4-8 p.m.
Those planning an expression of sympathy may consider memorial donations in honor of LeRoy to the National MS Society or the Fayette Fire Department. Friends can share memories and words of comfort with the family online at www.eaglefuneralhomes.com