Martin E. Stookey, Sr., 92, Leesburg, left Miller’s Merry Manor to be with the Lord on Tuesday evening, Sept. 10, 2019. He was born on April 17, 1927, the son of Fred and Leora (Martin) Stookey in Kosciusko County. Martin graduated from Leesburg High school the same year as his wife to be, Lorene F. Lehman and they were joined together in holy matrimony on May 29, 1948.

He attended the Milford Apostolic Church and retired from a wonderful life of farming just outside of Leesburg. He served in the Army and was a World War II Veteran. He was a man with a great deal of patience and love for his family and the outdoors. Martin was a highly skilled woodcarver of various wildlife that decorated he and his wife’s home, as well as the homes of family and friends.  Martin was an avid deer hunter up until the age of 85.  He was one of the first to harvest a whitetail deer at Tri County Wildlife Area. Martin was a member of the Northern Indiana Research and Recovery Society.  As an active member, Martin would spend many hours metal detecting for all types of relics on past homesteads.  He also combed freshly plowed fields in search of Indian artifacts.  Over the years Martin collected a great deal of Indian artifacts, which he would display at area shows.  Martin retired from grain farming in 1989. When Martin wasn’t busy grain farming, he also built many barns in the area.

Survivors include his two sons, Martin E. “Butch” (Kathleen) Stookey Jr., and Randy (Marlene) Stookey, both of Warsaw; sister Oma Eppley of Nappanee, seven grandchildren, Laurie (David) Miller of Fort Wayne, Rhonda (Bill) Cary of Bronson, Mich., Jeffrey (Katja) Stookey of Hershey, Penn., Bobi Stookey Megyese of Fishers, Zachary (Steffanie) Stookey of North Webster, Jeremy (Samantha) Stookey of Syracuse, and Justin Stookey of Syracuse; fifteen great-grandchildren, Cody, Brittany, Stephon, Ashton, Nicolas, Allison, Lydia, Drake, Emily, Rylan, Scott, Emileah, Meghan, and Lauren.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Lorene (Lehman) Stookey, his parents and three siblings; John Stookey, Bob Stookey and Mildred Meadows.

A funeral service in Martin Stookey’s honor will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Sept. 16, at the Milford Apostolic Church, 201 N. Higbee Street, Milford. Pastor Randy Beer will officiate with burial will following at Leesburg Cemetery.

Family and friends will be received from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, September 15, 2019 at Mishler Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 461 W 900 N, Milford, and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorial contributions can be directed to Milford Apostolic Church.