Nov. 20, 1922 - Aug. 26, 2012

NAPPANEE — Kenton “Barney” Stouder, 89, of Nappanee, died at 2:20 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26, 2012, at Elkhart General Hospital, where he had been for two days.

He was born Nov. 20, 1922, in Nappanee, to Joseph D. and Susan (Pippenger) Stouder. He went to Nappanee High school, and was a veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II. He was in the 359th Engineering and served in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. Barney was at Normandy Beach on the third day. He courageously earned the EAME Theater Ribbon with four Bronze Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Unit Awards, and a Victory Medal.

Mr. Stouder retired from Nappanee Wood Products on Jan. 30, 1988, and retired from custodial work at the Nappanee city offices. Prior to working at Nappanee Wood Products, he worked at Mutschler’s Brothers, and Heckaman Dairy as a delivery man. He had worked at Templeton Shell and Desco Chemicals.

He was a member of Nappanee United Methodist Church, a past member of the Nappanee Parks and Recreation Board, a member and past commander of Nappanee American Legion Post 154, where he also served as chaplain for many years. Barney was a former member of the Nappanee VFW and a current member of the Goshen VFW, member and past Master of Nappanee Masonic Lodge Chap. 556, member and past High Priest of Nappanee Chapter 155 Royal Arch Masons, member and past Patron Order of the Eastern Star Chap. 367 in Nappanee, member of Bashor Council 15 in Goshen, and Goshen Commandry 50 Knights Temple, 32 degree Mason South Bend Scottish Rite, a member of the Mispah Temple Shrine of Fort Wayne and an 18-year member of the Nappanee Civil Defense and Auxiliary Police (from 1957 to 1973). Barney also was the manager for the American Legion Baseball team for three to four years, and was a supporter of Boys Town at Knightstown.

He married June Tobias on Sept. 25, 1946, in Nappanee.

She survives, along with daughters Brenda (Denny) Heckaman of Goshen and LeaAnn Brown of Nappanee; four grandchildren, Nathan and Barney Brown, Derick Heckaman and Danya Pippen; four great-grandchildren, Cody Pippen, Erick and Amanda Heckaman and Peyton Brown; and a brother, Lamar Stouder of Nappanee.

He was preceded in death by granddaughter Starli Brown; son-in-law Larry Brown; sisters Maxine Slabaugh, Mildred Martz and Geraldine Fink; and brothers Kenneth, Dale, Manfred, Leonard, Howard, Everett and Joe Stouder.

Family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012, at Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, and one hour prior to the funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012, at Nappanee United Methodist Church. The Rev. Linda Craig and the Rev. Janet McFall-Brown will officiate. Burial will follow at Union Center Cemetery with military graveside services.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Nappanee American Legion or to Nappanee United Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be shared at www.tlyfh.com.

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