Devoe A. Stoner

DeVoe Stoner, 75, of Goshen, died Thursday afternoon, September 10, 2009, at Goshen General Hospital.  He had been in failing health the past two years. He was born in Jefferson Township, Goshen, Indiana, on December 31, 1933 to Altis A. and Frances (Matesick) Stoner.  He married Marianne Bigler on August 20, 1960 in Goshen.  She died May 13, 1984.  He then married Susan Wilcox Deuel on December 5, 1987 in Goshen.  She survives. A 1951 graduate of Jefferson High School, Mr. Stoner served in the US Navy on the USS Worcester from 1951 to 1954.  He began his law enforcement career as a patrolman on the night shift on September 1, 1962, receiving successive promotions to eventually serve as Chief of Police.  He then served on the detective bureau until his retirement on October 2, 1987. He was a life member of the VFW Post 985 and a member of the American Legion Post 30. He is survived by his wife; a son, Bill (Barb) Stoner of Goshen; four daughters, Beth (Mitch) Hoffman, Lisa Chrisman and Cindy (Don) Bontrager, all of Goshen, and Susie (Mike) Dennis of Anderson; two step-sons, Todd (Beth) Deuel of Elkhart and Marc (Kate) Deuel of Bristol; 20 grandchildren; four sisters, Maxine (D.L.) Covert, Janet Culp and Lois (William) Scott, all of Goshen, and Laura Miller of New Carlisle; a sister-in-law, Sandy Stoner of Goshen and a brother-in-law, Ed Gnivecki of South Bend. He was preceded in death by his first wife; two sisters, Phyllis Roose  and June Gnivecki; a brother, Duane E. Stoner; and a son-in-law, Christopher Chrisman. Friends may call 12 to 6 p.m., Sunday, September 13, at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church. A 12:30 p.m., Monday, September 14, 2009, funeral service will be conducted at Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 West Blvd S. Elkhart. Burial will be at a later date in West Goshen Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church of to the Goshen Police Department.