Kenton “Barney” Stouder, 89, of Nappanee, Ind., died at 2:20 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26, 2012, at Elkhart General Hospital where he had been for the past 2 days.

He was born November 20, 1922 in Nappanee, to Joseph D. and Susan (Pippenger) Stouder. He went to Nappanee High School, and was a veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II. He was in the 359^th Engineering, and served in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe. Barney was at Normandy Beach on the third day. He courageously earned the EAME Theater Ribbon with 4 Bronze Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, Meritorius Unit Awarads, and a Victory Medal.

Mr. Stouder retired from Nappanee Wood Products on Jan. 30, 1988, and retired from custodial work at the Nappanee city offices. Prior to working at Nappanee Wood Products, he worked at Mutschler’s Brothers, and Heckaman Dairy as a delivery man. He had worked at Templeton Shell and Desco Chemicals. He was a member of Nappanee United Methodist Church, a past member of the Nappanee Park and Recreation Board, a member and past Commander of Nappanee American Legion #154, where he also served as Chaplain for many years.

Barney was a former member of the Nappanee VFW and a current member of the Goshen VFW, member and past Master of Nappanee Masonic Lodge Chap. 556, member and past High Priest of Nappanee Chapter 155 Royal Arch Masons, member and past Patron Order of the Eastern Star Chap. 367 in Nappanee, member of the Bashor Council #15 in Goshen, and the Goshen Commandry #50 Knights Temple, 32 degree Mason South Bend Scottish Rite, a member of the Mispah Temple Shrine of Fort Wayne, and an 18 year member of the Nappanee Civil Defense and Auxiliary Police (1957-1973).

Barney also was the manager for the American Legion Baseball team for 3-4 years, and was a supporter of Boys Town at Knightstown, Indiana. He married June Tobias on Sept. 25, 1946, in Nappanee.

Mr. Stouder is survived by his wife: June Tobia, Nappanee; daughters: Brenda (Denny) Heckaman, Goshen, Ind.; LeaAnn Brown, Nappanee; four grandchildren: Nathan and Barney Brown, Derick Heckaman, and Danya Pippen; four great-grandchildren: Cody Pippen, Erick and Amanda Heckaman, and Peyton Brown; and a brother: Lamar Stouder, Nappanee.

He was preceded in death by granddaughter: Starli Brown; a son-in-law: Larry Brown; sisters: Maxine Slabaugh, Mildred Martz and Geraldine Fink; and brothers: Kenneth, Dale, Manfred, Leonard, Howard, Everett and Joe Stouder.

Family will receive friends from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29, at Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, and one hr prior to the funeral service which will take place at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Nappanee United Methodist Church. The Revs. Linda Craig and Janet McFall-Brown will officiate. Burial will follow at Union Center Cemetery with Military Graveside Services.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Nappanee American Legion or to Nappanee United Methodist Church.