Lois E. Stuckey, age 81, of Marion, died peacefully Monday evening, February 4th, 2013, at the Partners of Marion Care Center following a year and a half battle with ALS.
On April 16, 1931, Lois was born in Celina, Ohio, one of two daughters of the late Dillon and Gladene (Pifer) Stedcke. She graduated from Celina High School in the Class of 1949.
Furthering her education, Lois attended Ohio Northern University, where she was honored as their homecoming queen her freshman year. About that time, she also met a young law student, John Stuckey. Soon thereafter, they were married on August 17, 1952, just before he joined the U. S. Marine Corp. She then graduated from ONU in 1953, with her bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate, and joined him in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Upon his honorable discharge, Lois and John returned to his hometown of Marion, where they lovingly raised three sons: David, Daniel and Michael. Together they shared 22 years of marriage, until he died on September 8, 1974. Though he died a lifetime ago, she continued her devotion to him and their children the rest of her life.
After taking a few years away from teaching to raise her children, Lois taught both as a substitute and full time teacher at the Silver Street Elementary School for over 25 years. During that time, she also went back to school to earn her master’s degree in education at Ashland University in 1988. Putting her education to use, Lois finished her time at Silver Street Elementary as their principal, retiring in 1997.
Back in 1962, Lois and John traveled to Georgian Bay in Ontario, Canada, and immediately fell in love with the rustic and secluded bay. In 1969 they purchased an island with the Ludwigs where they spent large parts of their summers in a cottage they built. Lois appreciated all of the simpler things in life…drinking a cup of coffee on the porch, looking up at the night skies, tending to her wildflower garden, and appreciating the buzz of a hummingbird. On the bay, she was endearingly known as the “Pioneer Lady”, for truly being a woman who could handle all of the duties associated with caring for a cottage in the middle of nowhere. It was even her CB handle.
For over 50 years, Lois has greatly enjoyed being a part of a longstanding Bridge Club in Marion. She also was a former member of the Marion Elks Lodge #32, and was an avid Ohio State University Buckeye fan.
She will be dearly missed by her three sons: David (Bailey Cook) Stuckey of Carrboro, NC; Daniel (Janice) Stuckey of Lake St. Louis, MO; and Michael (Michelle Miller) Stuckey of Marion; four grandchildren: Jean Ann (Steven) Lewis, John, Brian and Scott Stuckey; one great-grandson, Tyler Lewis; a sister, Marjorie Lou Hollinger of Lima; two sisters-in-law: Barbara Ehrlich, and Lucy Spetnagle, both of Marion; and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Including her husband and parents, Lois was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Henry Hollinger.
The Stuckey family will greet friends from 4 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 7, 2013, at the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home, 360 E. Center St., Marion. Services of celebration for her life will also be held there on Friday at 2:00 p.m. Burial services will follow in Marion Cemetery. A celebration reception will be held at the Warehouse Restaurant, 320 W. Center St., Marion.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Marion Technical College Scholarship Fund, c/o Marion Community Foundation, 504 S. State St., Marion, OH 43302, or to Ohio Northern University, c/o John Stuckey Law Scholarship Fund, 525 S. Main St., Ada, OH 45810.
Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to have been chosen to serve Lois’ family and your private condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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