Stan E. Ehinger

Stanton Exel Ehinger, 90, of Louisiana, Missouri, passed away peacefully on October 5, 2025, surrounded by his loving wife, children and grandchildren. He was an extraordinary son, cherished husband, father, grandfather and true disciple of Christ. Born to parents Exel Stanton Ehinger and Lila Lucille (Konarske) Ehinger on March 9, 1935, in Adrian, Michigan. Stan, as he was known to most, was raised with values of faith, honesty and hard work; principles that guided him every day of his life, he built a reputation as a man whose word was his bond, whose hands were never idle, and whose heart was always open.
Stan graduated with honors from Michigan Tech University in 1957 with a Mining Engineer degree. Later in his career, he earned his Professional Engineering License in St, Louis, MO,
Stan's career began immediately after graduation at Cartier Mining in Northern Canada and then proceeded to Kennecott Copper Corp. at their Bingham mine in Utah. He continued to work for Kennecott Copper in between times of serving his country in the Army. In 1963, he was employed by Martin Marietta's Aetna Cement Plant in Essexville, Michigan as Plant Engineer. He was recruited by Dundee/Holcim, later Holnam Cement in May 1966 to help build and run the worlds' largest wet cement plant in Clarksville MO. After construction completion in March 1967, he stayed on to serve as Plant Engineer, Manager of Maintenance, Engineering and Raw Materials. In 1981, he became Plant Manager. Upon retirement on July 1, 2000, Stan was very thankful for his employees because he left the Clarksville plant number one in the Holderbank's North American System.
The Army drafted Stan in 1958 where he was stationed with Elvis Presley; he regarded Elvis as a very nice person. He graduated from Officers Candidate School and was discharged as a First Lieutenant in 1960. Shortly after marriage in 1961, Stan was recalled during the Berlin Crisis stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington, discharged in 1962. He continued in the Army Reserve until 1963, discharged as a Captain. He was patriotic and enjoyed his military experience. His memorable last experience of the military was attending the Honor Flight in 2015 with his grandson Joseph Mayer and good friend Ed Pennington. He was a member of the Louisiana American Legion.
Stan had a large community spirit throughout his life. Every organization he was involved with, he gave his best effort often in leadership positions. He was in ROTC and TAU BETA PI Honorary Program in college. Locally, he was in P.T.A., Louisiana JC's, Louisiana Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Buffalo Township United Fund, Friends of the Library, American Cancer Society, Republican Party, YMCA, scout leader, served nine years on the Louisiana R-11 School Board where he was able to present his three children their high school diplomas. In state, Director and President of Missouri Mining Industry Council. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church serving in every position as needed both spiritually and physically.
Stan was a farmer, he enjoyed cattle, horses, tractors and the wide open spaces; he loved being outdoors, always maintaining the farm and home. To the family Stan was a combination of John Wayne, Ronald Reagan and Winston Churchill., hard working and never idle, mentally and physically busy.
At home, Stan was the rock of his family. He was a devoted husband to his loving wife Barbara for 64 years. They built a strong and caring family grounded in faith, love, laughter and shared values. He took immense pride in his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, teaching them through example the importance of honesty, kindness and doing what's right – especially when no one is watching. Stan's strength, humility and moral compass leave a legacy that will live on in the lives he touched. He will be deeply missed.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Joyce (Steele) Ehinger, his children, Sabrina Mayer (Wayne) of St. Charles, MO., Todd Ehinger (Adelaida) of Longwood. FLA., Kristina Branch (Chris) of Paradise Valley, AZ., fifteen grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and siblings Calvin (Darlene) Ehinger of Peoria, AZ, and Craig (Chris) Ehinger of Toledo, 0hio. Brother-in- law Robert H. Steele (Sandie) of South Jordan, Utah, and many nephews and nieces. Stan was preceded in death by his parents Exel and Lila Ehinger, and his siblings Chad and Karoll Ehinger.
Colliers Funeral Home in Louisiana MO. will hold a visitation from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm with services starting at 1:00 pm on Saturday, November 29, 2025. A late lunch for all will be held at the Keely Center following the family's private graveside service.
The family asks that donations be made to the charity of your choice.