Beverly J. Stonebraker

Beverly (Heign) Stonebraker, 96, of Kendallville, Indiana died Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at Lutheran Life Villages in Kendallville. She was born January 19, 1929, in Kendallville to Paul and Evelyn (Smith) Heign. She grew up in Kendallville and graduated from St. John Lutheran Elementary School, Kendallville High School and International Business College. After graduation she worked as a private secretary for the superintendent of the Fort Wayne State School. Beverly married Richard Stonebraker on April 9, 1949. He preceded her in death in 1983. Surviving are her children, Richard (Jill) Stonebraker, Jr. of Fort Wayne, Roger (Cecilia) Stonebraker of Sullivan, Ben (Dana) Stonebraker of Kendallville, and Jennifer (John) Upchurch of Pittsboro; her grandchildren, Travis Stonebraker of Sullivan, Matthew Stonebraker of Indianapolis, Sam (Amy) Stonebraker of Fort Wayne, Mollie (Wes) York of Fort Wayne, Amanda (Jamison) Hemmert of Plainfield, Megan (Brian) Burkart of Selma, John Tyler Upchurch of Indianapolis, Eric Upchurch of Jamestown, Laura (Jonah) Mack of Van Wert, Ohio, and Cara (Jake) Walker of Fort Wayne; and 11 great-grandchildren, Elaine Hemmert, Cameron Hemmert, Emma Biner, Lily Biner, Amelia Stonebraker, Norah Hemmert, Eleanor Stonebraker, Iris Biner, Griffin Hemmert, Elijah York, and Joseph Stonebraker. She was also preceded in death by a two year old grandson, Ted Alan Stonebraker; a sister, Nancy Kohlhoff; a brother, William Heign; and a nephew, Todd William Heign. After her children were grown and left home, she went to work as an office manager for Dr. Gerry Kaufman in Fort Wayne for 14 years. She was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church. She organized a nursery guild, taught school religion classes, a youth leader, chairman of the women's bazaars for many years, social ministry chairman, and member of the church council. She was on the new building committee, the funeral dinner committee, a volunteer assistant in the church office, and chairman of the Women of St. John. In April, 1997, St. John awarded her the annual service recognition award. In the community she was a Boy Scout and Girl Scout leader. The year her husband was president of the Jaycees, she organized the first Jaycee wives group and was the first president of the group. She served as president of Tri Kappa and president of two study clubs, Tuesday club and quest club. She was on the citizens committee for the consolidation of the East Noble School system. She served several years on the Kendallville Public Library Board, worked with the Meals on Wheels program and was a member of the Kendallville Business and Professional Women. Her greatest joys were her family and her church. She loved having her family at her Little Long Lake home for the holidays, birthdays, and picnics in the summer. Funeral services will be Friday, September 12, 2025, at 2 p.m., with visitation one hour prior to the funeral service at St. John Lutheran Church, 301 South Oak Street, Kendallville with Rev. Philip Rigdon officiating. Burial will follow in Lake View Cemetery, Kendallville. Preferred memorials are to St. John Lutheran Church. Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel, 222 South State Street, Kendallville is assisting the family with arrangements. Share memories and condolences at www.youngfamilyfuneralhome.com Beverly's autobiography is attached below