James “Jim” Greg Stoner, 68, was called home by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the early morning hours of Sunday April 9th, 2017 at his residence.
Jim was born July 27th, 1948 in Peru, Indiana to Merrill Frederick and Ada Charlene (Poor) Stoner. He spent his early childhood growing up on the family farm with his parents and his best friend and big brother Jon. His formidable years consisted of countless hours helping tend to the farm and bailing hay alongside numerous neighborhood kids, where many lifelong friendships were created. The rest of his time was spent getting into teenage mischief and generally causing mayhem throughout the county with this same band of brothers in their hot rods. He enjoyed hanging out at the old Car Hop.
Jim loved playing high school intermural basketball on a team known as “The Filthy Few” and graduated from North Miami High School Class of 1966 with honors before attending Indiana State University where he studied liberal arts.
On April 13th, 1969, he married Susan D. Hodson before entering the U.S. Army Reserves one week later. During this time, they had two children, Kris and Kelli, before being honorably discharged in 1974 as a drill sergeant.
After his military duty, Jim worked for the Indiana State Highway Dept. before joining Stoner Equipment, Inc., the family business. Jim and his brother owned Stoner Brother’s Trucking and Farming. Jim was one of the owners of the area’s first satellite business. He also wrote a weekly column in The Paper known as “The Country Line”. He had an insightful and humorous look at otherwise serious subjects. Jim was a hard worker who worked two or three jobs at all times. Along his journey, Jim also spent some time with his son at Peru Equipment Rental. His last career move was back working for “The Man” at AutoZone in Peru where he was a Parts Sales Manager.
His lifelong passions included cruising for races, drag racing on both asphalt and sand, wrenching on anything with an internal combustion engine and playing pool. Jim was an avid I.U. basketball and Indianapolis Colts fan. He also enjoyed laughing at the Maine Coon kittens the couple raised.
Jim was known for his 1969 Blue Corvette and his 1965 Maroon 442 “Rat Sass” which he raced on the street as an original Street Outlaw as he would say. He track raced with AHRA and NHRA in Pro Class at Bunker Hill Dragstrip and Division 3 ET finals at Raceway Park, Indianapolis along with his son.
On November 1st, 2014 in the Mojave Desert Valley of Fire State Park, just outside Las Vegas Jim married his soulmate Susan (Worthen) Gamester who he always referred to as “The One”. They shared their special day with Susan’s son who married that day as well. He lived happily for the rest of his days on the family farm.
Jim was loved by many for his unique humor, intelligence, as well as his kind, loyal and gentle heart and soft spoken ways. He was active in the community as a member of many fraternal organizations including the Indiana Freemasons Peru- Miami Masonic Lodge #67, Indianapolis Murat Shriners International, Peru Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #72, Peru Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge #249, Peru Elks Lodge #365 and Wabash Eagles Lodge Aries #549.
Jim is survived by his wife Susan Gamester-Stoner (Peru), son Kris Stoner (Denver), daughter Kelli Stoner (Plymouth), Kelli’s fiancé Octavio Gomez (Plymouth), Step-son Brad Ashby (Carrie) of Peru, grandchildren Lainey and Jackson Stoner, and step-granddaughter Emily Ashby. Other survivors include mother-in-law Lilian Worthen, Peru, brother-in-law Michael Worthen (Elizabeth), Peru, nephew Sean Stoner (Cindy),Macy, and niece Shannon See (Zac), Denver and many cousins , great nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his father Merrill Stoner, his mother Ada Charlene Stoner, and his brother Jon Stoner.
A “Celebration of Life” will begin at 2pm on Sunday, April 23rd 2017 at Grace Pointe Church (located in the new community building at the Miami County Fairgrounds). Pastor Dan Keaton will be officiating. Anyone wishing to speak about stories involving Jim are most welcome! Jim now lives through us.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home. Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.FlowersLeedyAllen.com.
In honor of Jim a perennial memory garden will be created at his final resting place on the farm. In lieu of fresh flowers or planters- perennials flowers would be appreciated or memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home.