Robert Stone

LIGONIER - Robert Charles Stone passed away peacefully in his home on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. He was surrounded by the many women of his family - the bane and greatest blessing of his life.

Bob, or Doc Rock as he was affectionately known, was born on June 25, 1929, on the family strawberry farm southeast of Marion, Indiana, in Grant County. He was the 11th of 13 children born to Fayetta and Charles Henry Stone. Doc was always surrounded by women, starting with nine sisters, and continuing with his wife and three daughters, and then his four granddaughters. FINALLY, in more recent years, he gained sons-in-law, grandsons-in-law and four great-grandsons.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; all of his siblings and their spouses; and a daughter, Susan Marie Stone.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Lura Gibson Stone; and two daughters, Roberta Stone and Jean (Pete) Ness; his four granddaughters, who brought great joy to his life, Jaime (Lyle) Cunningham, Jessica (Chad) Lemler, JoAnna (Sam Stepter) Ness and Celeste (Sam Tallo) Marshall. After all of these girls, he was elated to have four great-grandsons, Lee and Drew Cunningham and Colt and Barrett Lemler.

Doc attended Marion High School, Ball State University and Indiana University Medical School.

He served in the Navy, during the Korean War, aboard an ammunition ship from 1951-1953.

Doc met Lura at Indiana University, and they married during his medical training following her graduation from the School of Education. Upon completion of his medical degree, they relocated to Ligonier, Indiana, and bought the practice of Dr. Weber. At first, he saw patients in Goshen, LaGrange and Kendallville hospitals, which was about a 100-mile circuit. Later, he concentrated on Goshen Hospital. It was not unusual for him to deliver babies early in his practice, and some of these even took place in homes! He was one of two doctors in Ligonier, so he got to know many community members across multiple generations. He felt it was his privilege to serve the community and did many, many sports physicals.

One of his favorite community service accomplishments was organizing a county-wide Polio vaccination effort. One Sunday, multiple sites and several doctors coordinated to offer free (or freewill donation) vaccinations. He'd been horrified by treating children in Iron Lungs in Indianapolis during his training and wanted to make sure to protect the children of his community.

In addition to his medical practice, Dr. Stone served as the Ligonier Health Officer and Noble County Health Officer. He is a member of Ligonier United Methodist Church and the Ligonier Rotary Club. He was honored by Governor Frank O'Bannon as a Sagamore of the Wabash. He also received a Quality of Care Award by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals and Citizen of the Year by the Ligonier Chamber of Commerce. In his spare time, he enjoyed his hobbies of making horse-shoe nail crosses, fishing, golfing and woodworking, either in peaceful solitude or amongst the camaraderie of his many friends.

A celebration of Doc's life will be held at 11 a.m., on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at the Mount building of Ligonier United Methodist Church, 466 Townline Road, Ligonier, IN 46767.

Family and friends will be received on Friday, May 23, 2025, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., at the Mount building of the Ligonier United Methodist Church. There will also be visitation from 10-11 a.m., prior to the service on Saturday at the Mount.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for memorials to be directed to the Community Foundation of Noble County, Susan Marie Stone Scholarship Fund, or to Ligonier United Methodist Church.

Yeager Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family online at www.yeagerfuneralhome.com.