Mona Lou Stafford

Mona Lou (Jones) Stafford, 90 of Kokomo passed away peacefully Thursday, September 22, 2022 at Waterford Health Campus in Kokomo, surrounded by her loving family.  Mona was privileged to live in many communities throughout her years including Tipton, West Lafayette, East Lansing, Michigan, and Pendleton.  She was born in Noblesville on October 7, 1931 to Arza and Elizabeth Loraine (Males) Jones.  On April 15, 1953 she married the love of her life, Gerald Barton Stafford, and they were together for 61 years.  He preceded her in death in 2014.

Mona was very industrious and kept busy in the workforce beginning as a secretary at Pioneer right out of high school and then as a secretary at Purdue University while Gerald attended college.  Her business knowledge provided a perfect fit on the farm as she oversaw the accounting and management aspects as a farmer’s wife.  Mona was very involved with extension homemakers clubs in Tipton and Madison Counties, and the Tipton County 4-H organization as a leader.  She shared her skills as a seamstress, needlework artist and excellent cook with her daughters.  Her church family benefited from her efforts in the choir and teaching the children’s Sunday school.  During retirement she and Gerald loved to attend their grandchildren’s school programs, concerts, and sporting activities.  They also enjoyed taking spontaneous road trips and working at the polls during the election cycles. The family looked forward to and cherished the time spent at her family dinners and holiday celebrations.

Survivors include her daughters: Janet Schick of Kokomo, Carla (Mark) Mayer of Scottville, Michigan and Ellen Schick of Kokomo.  Grandchildren include: Megan (Derek) Donelson; Jessica (Ryan) Graf; Jacob (Stephanie) Schick, Michelle Mayer (Travis Hoard); Christina (Patrick) Gleason; Meridith Ingle; Matthew (Megan) Schick; Jacqueline (Tommy Lott) Schick; and step grandchildren Chandra Stradling, Joshua Schick, and Laura Blanch. Mona has 11 great grandchildren and 7 step great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by one great grandchild, a sister Marilyn Ann (Jones) Weir; a half-brother Jack Jones and a half-sister Janice (Jones) Storms, sons-in-law Donald (Joe) Schick and. Randy Schick, and grandson-in-law Bradon Ingle.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, September 28 at Noon at Young-Nichols Funeral Home with Chaplain Andrew Winey presiding.  Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery.  Visitation will also be Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. until Noon at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

The Stafford family would like to extend appreciation and thanks to Heartland Hospice staff for their care and compassion for Mona.