M. Lois (Wort) Stephan, 83, longtime Huntington resident, passed away peacefully at 6:24 p.m. on Thursday, November 17, 2016, at The Heritage with her three daughters at her side. She had been a rehabilitation resident there since August 22nd. Lois graduated from Albany High School, Delaware County, in 1951. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in business and English education from Indiana University in 1955 and later received her Master of Science degree in education from St. Francis University. She began her career by teaching one year at Roanoke High School in 1955. After several years of being a full-time homemaker, Lois was employed part-time as a legal secretary in a local office. She resumed her teaching career with 20 years in the Business Department at Columbia City Joint High School in 1972, retiring in 1992. Lois was an active member of St. Peter’s First Community Church where she was also involved with the Friendship Circle/Circle of Faith for numerous years. Additionally, she was a member of Huntington County Retired Teachers Association and Indiana Retired Teachers Association. Various interests included her love of family vacations; having visited all 50 states, following her husband to many various sporting events throughout the years, and being an avid fan of Indiana University basketball and Chicago Cubs baseball; just recently celebrating their World Series Championship. Amongst Lois’ favorite past-times were her love of reading, playing Scrabble, solving word search and crossword puzzles, and especially attending as many of her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s activities as possible.
Lois was born July 16, 1933, in Montpelier, the daughter of Howard and M. Louise (Jones) Wort.
She was united in marriage to Dean B. Stephan on June 5, 1955, at Bethel United Methodist Church in Albany. Her husband of 59 years preceded her in death on July 18, 2014.
Survivors include three daughters, Sally (David) Morrison, Sandy Stephan, and Sherry (Kirk) Baker, all of Huntington; one sister, Myra (Phil) Jones of Carp Lake, Michigan; one sister-in-law, Anne (Dean) Stonebraker of Huntington; five grandchildren, Justin (Nicole) Baker of Huntington, Megan (Phil) Engle of Roanoke, Aaron (Jessica) Baker of West Lafayette, Lauren Baker of Huntington, and Drew Morrison of Fort Wayne. She also leaves behind eight great-grandchildren, Addison, Calvin, and Evelyn Baker of West Lafayette; Kennedy, Maddox, Charley, and Lincoln Baker of Huntington; and Eloise Engle of Roanoke. A ninth great-grandchild is expected to arrive in mid-February.
In addition to her husband, she is preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Louise Wort.
Visitation will be Tuesday, November 22, 2016, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Myers Funeral Home Huntington Chapel, 2901 Guilford Street, Huntington, Indiana.
Funeral service will be Wednesday, November 23, 2016, at 11 a.m. at St. Peter’s First Community Church with Pastor Richard Strick officiating. One hour of visitation will be held prior to the service.
Interment will take place at the St. Peter’s First Community Church Cemetery in Huntington.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Peter’s First Community Church sent in care to Myers Funeral Home, 2901 Guilford Street, Huntington, IN 46750.