Lifetime resident John Harold Stone finished the race at the age of 65. He left us suddenly of natural causes Monday evening in the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center – Plymouth Campus. His presence will be forever missed by his loving family and many friends.
Born the son of Harold E. and Irene M. (Cripe) Stone on August 20, 1950 in Plymouth, he was raised in West Township. He attended West Elementary School and graduated from Plymouth High School with the Class of 1968.
At a young age of nine, John was drawn to the family business of Stone Excavating where a good work ethic was instilled in him and has been his conviction throughout his life. John worked for the Pi-Rod Corporation in Plymouth from 1981 until 1989 when he and David Norman partnered to create Custom Tower Systems where John has served as president of the corporation. They have connected people world-wide by erecting communication towers across the United States and Puerto Rico. He loved running heavy equipment and working with people bringing out their best.
He was ever faithful to his wife Judith L. (Deuer) who he took as his bride on January 1, 1993 at the Deuer’s home in Kettering, Ohio. Judy always knew civically she had the support of John who was a proud American Republican who quite vividly supported the Trump campaign. He was also a lifetime member of the NRA. In his younger years he enjoyed hunting and fishing. Recently his focus and favorite past-time was with the Plymouth Motor Speedway where he felt like family in their efforts to make it the venue that it is today.
He is a member and past officer of the Plymouth Moose Lodge and along with Judy, a member of the Plymouth Lions Club. John liked Country Music and listening to Talk Radio, a staunch Rush man.
John loved his family includes his wife Judy, five children and four special granddaughters. They are: daughter Amy M. Stone of Culver and her daughter Alyssa Stockberger, daughter Tracie A. (Thomas) Miles of Estacada, OR and their daughters Hannah and Lillie Miles, son Jonathan L. (Wendy) Stone of Rochester, son Joel E. Stone of Denver, CO, step-son Jason L. (Elizabeth) Deuer of Cincinnati, OH and their daughter Savannah Deuer.
His cherished siblings are: sister Rosemary (Don) Laughlin of Claypool, IN, brother Jay E. (Charlotte) Stone of Plymouth and brother Ben A. (Vickie) Stone of Rochester, IL along with numerous nieces and nephews. Also surviving are sister and brother-in-law Carol A. (Bill) Reese of Murfreesboro, TN.
John was preceded in death by his three year old sister Linda and parents Harold and Irene.
Visitation for John will be held on Friday, May 20th from 3 – 8 p.m. in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home on Saturday, May 21st at 11 a.m. where calling will continue after 10 a.m. Rev. Scott Yoder, pastor at Crossroads Church will officiate.
Burial will follow in the New Oak Hill Cemetery in Plymouth.
A luncheon will follow in the Plymouth Moose Family Center located at 1225 W. Jefferson Street.
Preferred are memorial gifts to the Center for Hospice Care, 112 S. Center St., Plymouth, IN 46563.