Elta Mae Stinger

Elta Mae Stinger, 89, Marion, entered Heaven's gates at 8:09 pm on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at Parkview Hospital Randallia in Fort Wayne surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Marion, Indiana, on Monday, August 5, 1935, to Charles Ray and LaVerna (Harris) Shaw on Boots Street Hill in Marion, Indiana.

Elta was a graduate of Marion High School. On June 6, 1954, she married Richard Stinger of Radley at First Church of God on South Boots Street in Marion. They enjoyed over 58 years of marriage until Richard's passing in November of 2012. They enjoyed camping and were members of the Rovin' Sam's Camping Club Indiana Chapter.

Elta worked 30 years with Marion National Bank. She was a lifelong member of First Church of God, where she played piano and organ for more than 50 years, sang in the choir, drove the church bus on Wednesdays and Sundays, was the treasurer, and held many other positions over the years. She also enjoyed blessing others with her music by playing for weddings, funerals, and Indiana Samborees.

She loved to crochet and had made hundreds of afghans for those expecting babies. At Halloween, she dressed up like a witch and handed out homemade, chocolate chip cookies, which included the Bible verse John 3:16. She also was known for making the best pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving and baking large amounts of pumpkin bread to hand out as gifts for Christmas. She enjoyed sending greeting cards for birthdays, anniversaries, get-well wishes, and other significant dates.

God and family were the most important things to Elta Mae. She attended church faithfully her entire life and enjoyed cooking many traditional dishes for family reunions and other gatherings. She has touched many lives through the years and has been a true soldier for God, bringing others to Christ. She fought the good fight, she finished the race, and she is now hearing the words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

She is survived by her sons, Lawrence E. (Cathy) Stinger of Noblesville and Thomas A. Stinger of Marion; daughter, Marilyn S. Moore of Marion; grandson, Adam Jacob "AJ" Stinger of Marion; sister, Martha Ellen Swain of Marion; forever daughters-in-law, Leslie DeForest of El Cajon, CA, and Debra Kay Stinger of Marion; and two cats, Teena and Purrly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles (LaVerna) Shaw; loving husband, Richard Stinger; brother, Charles Virland Shaw; sister, Betty E. Taylor-Secrest; brother-in-law, Floyd Taylor; and sister-in-law, Betty Shaw.

Visitation is from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at First Church of God, 450 W. 50th St., Marion, IN.

On Thursday, June 19, 2025, visitation will be at the church from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm with Elta's funeral service beginning at 1:00 pm. Pastor Jerry Hillegas will be officiating with burial following at Grant Memorial Park.

Arrangements are entrusted to Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral & Cremation Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN.

Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.