Gary Wayne Stites

Mr. Gary Wayne Stites, age 77 of Madison, Indiana, entered this life on October 23, 1948 in Scottsburg, Indiana. He was the loving son of the late Charles W. "Chap" and Neva Vanosdol Stites. He was raised in Jefferson County and was a 1966 graduate of Southwestern High School in Hanover, Indiana. He was inducted into the Unites States Air Force on May 13, 1968 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He rose to the rate of Sergeant serving in the 3700 Maintenance Supply Group during the Vietnam War Era. He was honorably discharged on March 13, 1972 at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas receiving the National Defense Service Medal, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, and the meritorious award of Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. He remained in the Reserves until being discharged on May 12, 1974. Gary was blessed to raise three daughters, Missy, Jackie, and Charley and a son, Brian. Gary had worked construction and had farmed all of his life. Gary had worked with his father in Stites Construction and with Phillips Excavating. He was united in marriage on September 23, 2000 to Shari Lynn Wehner in Madison, Indiana. This union blended two families together. After retirement he worked with his daughter's company, Charley's Painting for several years. He enjoyed woodworking, being on his farm, mushroom hunting, playing softball, volleyball, horseshoes, and watching IU Basketball. Gary was known for his quick wit and never meeting a stranger. He was a member of the Wirt Baptist Church and a volunteer fireman with the Madison Township Volunteer Fire Department. At the fire house he enjoyed working Bingo. Gary really enjoyed being with his family and friends. He passed suddenly on Thursday, September 24, 2026 at 3:05 p.m. at Thornton Terrace Health Campus in Hanover, Indiana.

He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Shari Lynn Wehner Stites of Madison, Indiana; his three daughters, Missy Keeley of Greenwood, Indiana; Jackie Kramer and her husband, Danny of Panama City, Florida; Charley Foley and her husband, Ben of Madison, Indiana; his step sons: Matthew David Schafer and his wife, Nicki of Chandler, Oklahoma; Adam Schafer and his wife, Amanda of Greenwood, Indiana; his grandchildren, Bryan, Madelyn, Tyler, Austin, Meaghan, Emma, Ellie, Riley, Dilynn, Jhett, Madison, and Paige; his great grandchildren, Theo Keeley and Hattie Keeley; his sisters, Barbara Burnette and her husband, Mike of Madison, Indiana; Kathy Holder of Madison, Indiana; his brothers in law and sisters in law, Bob Brooks of Madison, Indiana; Ron Wehner and his wife, Linda of Madison, Indiana; Mike Wehner and his wife, Linda of Madison, Indiana; Karleen Hubbard and her husband, Mark of Columbus, Indiana; Stephanie Kuerzi and her husband, Scott of Louisville, Kentucky; several nieces, nephews and other relatives. Gary was preceded in death by his father, Charles W. "Chap" Stites, died December 15, 1995; his mother, Neva Vanosdol Stites Hoffman, died December 22, 2020; his son, Brian Wayne Stites, died June 22, 1996; his sister, Cynthia Marie "Cindy" Brooks, died March 15, 2012; his nephews, Brandon Keith Brooks, died June 22, 1996; Trent William Holder, died December 24, 2004; Chad Wesley Imel, died September 24, 2023; his step mother, Mary Stites, died November 4, 2015; his step father, John Henry Hoffman, died December 22, 2013.

Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Brynen Chitwood on Friday, October 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison, Indiana. Interment will follow in the Grandview Memorial Gardens, 9306 North U.S. 421 near Madison, Indiana.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 8, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Friday, October 9, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until time of the service at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison, Indiana.

A Fireman's service will be held on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison, Indiana conducted by the Madison Township Volunteer Fire Department.

A final salute with military honors will be conducted on Friday, October 9, 2026, by the Major Samuel Woodfill Post No. 9 of the American Legion.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Brian Wayne Stites Memorial Scholarship or the Jefferson County 4-H. Cards are available at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centres of Madison and Hanover. Online condolences, remembrances, and memorials can be left at www.morgan-nay.com