Daisy O. Stoker
Beautiful and beloved, Daisy Orleana (Sterrett) Stoker slipped from life Monday, August 1, 2022, surrounded by family and at peace.
Daisy was born on September 10, 1935 on a farm in White County, Indiana. She was the youngest child of Elva and Ethel (Oilar) Sterrett, and was welcomed by older siblings Elsie, Bob, and Jim. The family settled on a farm near Brookston, Indiana, where Daisy was a high school cheerleader, sang with the Bomberettes, and met the love of her life, Jim Stoker.
Daisy and Jim were married on November 1, 1952, and before Jim passed in 1994, their marriage of 42 years was full of family, work, travel, and friends.
Jim worked for Tudor and Yeager, a telephone construction company, which kept their growing family moving – to southern Indiana, Pennsylvania, New York, Missouri, and North Carolina. Along the way, Daisy and Jim were blessed with four children – Christine Annette in 1953, James Bradley in 1954, Sharon Lynn in 1955, and Brett Alan in 1961. Sadly, their first son Brady died as a baby in 1955. The Stokers finally settled in Tipton, Indiana in 1964, where they built a home and became active members of the community. Daisy recalled these years as happy ones, full of growing children and great friends.
In 1969, Jim took a job in Roachdale, Indiana with Hendricks Telephone Company, which prompted another move, and in 1972, the Stokers made a career change by buying the New Ross Steak House, where Daisy was chief cook, hostess, manager, and bookkeeper. The Roachdale years saw three children graduate high school, along with card parties, Jarts tournaments, and a lot of golf. The Stokers sold the restaurant in 1990.
After seeing two groups of grandchildren through sports and school activities, Daisy moved back to Tipton to be able to watch her two youngest grandkids. In Tipton, she reacquainted with some old friends and made many new ones, playing golf and bridge and going to a lot of ballgames.
Through a long and varied life full of both joy and heartache, Daisy remained constantly and solidly Daisy – kind and strong and stubborn and funny and fun-loving. She continued to spread her sunshine, and even as Daisy’s health declined in the last couple of years of her life, she maintained her lively mind, quick wit, and positive outlook on life.
Daisy was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband, and son. She is survived by her daughter Chris and husband David Ardelean; daughter Sheri and husband Ron Lambermont; son Brett and wife Karen; the Ardelean grandchildren – Amy (Jeff) Spencer, Katie (Eric) Buck, Jane (Ed) Seib, Susie Ardelean, Julie (Michael) Ratliff, Emily (John) Muth; the Lambermont grandchildren – Dylan (Renee) Lambermont, Colten (Alisha) Lambermont, Holiday (Matt) Rose; the Stoker grandchildren – Riley (Keaton Howey) Stoker and Luke Stoker, and 28 great grandchildren!
A funeral celebrating her life will be held on Thursday, August 4, at Young-Nichols Funeral Home in Tipton at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Linda McKiernan-Allen presiding, with visitation from 11:00 a.m. until the service. Burial will be at Brookston cemetery at 4:00 p.m. with Rev. Leland McReynolds officiating.
Daisy’s house was always full of books, and she read voraciously; therefore, memorial contributions may be made to the Tipton County Library, 127 E. Madison Tipton, Indiana, 46072.
The family would like to offer special thanks to Guardian Angel Hospice and to Young-Nichols for their extraordinary care, kindness, and compassionate professionalism, and Rev. Ashley Sherard and the West Street Christian Church family for all their comfort and support.
So sorry to hear of Daisy’s passing. She was such a fun, upbeat person and always enjoyable to be around. She will be greatly missed.
So sorry to hear about her passing, Aunt Daisy was a kind hearted very upbeat and would help out when needed. And the best smile, light up the room. Thoughts and prayers for Stoker Family. Love Gary, Dixie & Mick.
My memories of Aunt Daisy are intertwined with the earliest days of my life. Jim and my dad herb were working for Tudor and Yaeger which did telephone construction in rural communities across the eastern united states. Aunt daisy and my mom Dot were trusted with setting up households in forty some foot trailers parked in various locations in rural America. When I finally moved to Tipton Indiana in 1969 it was the 29th time I had moved. The stokers and fry children hardly ever went to the same elementary school for the whole grade. Many times our trailers were parked close together. and as a child developed a close bond with Aunt Daisy and her family. It was rather tough situation to start and raise a family especially on rainy days in a forty-five foot trailers. Aunt Daisy always made her children and me and my siblings feel loved despite our shenanigans . I remember her smile and her sense of humor and how special a person she was to me.
One particular specific story happened when I was in second grade and our trailers were parked next to each other on a chicken-tobacco farm in Dobson, North Carolina. The trailer had a big tulip tree outside the entrance door with a big lawn out front going to the high way. I remember just getting silly putty which I do not know if it exists any more. You could roll it in a ball and it would bounce like a golf ball and you could use it to extract a picture from the comics in the paper. Miracle stuff developed by scientists which Daisy talked about and said to me that I could be a scientist. I ultimately became a professional chemist and looking back she had some role in that happening. A few years back when I went to my 40th reunion at Wabash College I went to Tipton to see her and she had to go to the hospital . I visited here in the hospital and was struck by how much she was the same. Sense of humor with a low key laugh was still there. She was very interested in what I had to say. I felt I was back in a small kitchen in a trailer parked in some remote outpost in rural America eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with my Aunt Daisy.
I feel I have lost a very special person. My condolence to Christy, Sherry and Brett.
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Oh, man, Herb! I remember Dobson, NC well! It was always great when we lived next to you. I am so thankful for those days and that life, even though it was crazy! The Fry boys, Aunt Dot and Uncle Herb, just the best. The whole Stoker family actually, just the best. Lucky we were part of them.
Brett and Family- so sorry to hear of the passing of your beloved mother. May memories help to comfort you during this difficult time.
With Sympathy,
Cathy F.
We were all sorry to hear of the loss of your mother and hope your memories give you comfort.
I’m so sorry to hear of Daisy’s passing. She was a very special lady and I’m thankful I got to know her over the last few years. Sending prayers to everyone that knew and loved her. RIP peace Daisy, you will be missed ❤️