"Gene" Orville Gene Stockdale Obituary (1933

HANOVER CHAPEL Let Us Pause to Honor the Memory of Mr. O. Gene Stockdale Mr. O. Gene Stockdale, age 86, of Hanover, Indiana entered this life on July 26, 1933 in Chelsea, Indiana. He was the loving son of the late Robert Lowry and Esther Mae Nicholson Stockdale. Raised in the Chelsea community, Gene was a 1951 graduate of Saluda High School where he was a basketball star for the Saluda Lions. Amidst studies, athletics and farm chores, he also delivered milk for local dairy farmers. Gene was inducted into the United States Army on December 8, 1953 in Louisville, Kentucky and rose to the rank of Private First Class serving during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged on November 23, 1955 at Fort Sheridan, Illinois receiving the National Defense Service Medal and the Sharpshooter Badge. He returned home to Jefferson County and worked with his father on the family farm. On October 10, 1958, Gene married the sweetheart he said he would marry, Patsy L. Seel from Brooksburg, at the Hanover United Methodist Church. This happy union of 61 years was blessed with three daughters, Pam, Angie and Debbie. He was a devoted husband, loving father and Pap-pa. When the great-grandchild arrived, he became a beloved "Paps" too. He retired from Lorillards Tobacco Corporation in Louisville, Kentucky where he worked as a pipe-fitter for 34 years. Gene respected hard work and with that being his top hobby, he then took care of maintenance at Jefferson County 4-H Fairgrounds until he retired last July. Gene loved sports, especially basketball. He faithfully followed the Indiana University Hoosiers and never missed a Southwestern Rebels game. He took special pride in his Kentucky Colonel honors and loved coaching his girls' games for many years. Gene also enjoyed a good game of euchre and Rook. A man who had to be busy, Gene spent a lot of time in his wood-working shop where he made furniture and special items for his family to treasure. Gene had a great passion for old cars and was currently restoring a 1954 Plymouth Plaza. In his younger years, he was well known for his drag racing skills at the area strips. Gene enjoyed helping others and will be greatly missed by his family, community and many friends. Gene died suddenly on Sunday, April 19, 2020, at 12:18 p.m. at his home in Hanover, Indiana. Please Click Here to View the Funeral Service Recording A LOVING FAMILY Gene will be missed by his loving wife of 61 years, Patsy L. Seel Stockdale of Hanover, Indiana; his loving daughters, Pam Klingler and her husband, Don of Hanover, Indiana, Angie White and her husband, Blane of Madison, Indiana, Debbie Short and her husband, Vernon of Deputy, Indiana; his beloved grandchildren, Amy Johnson, and Michael White and his wife, Taja; his adoring great-grandchild, Kennedy Johnson; his step-grandchilden, Justin Klingler and Nicole Bruther and her husband, Jarrod; his step-great-grandchild, Grayson Bruther; his sisters, Inez Prewitt of Louisville, Kentucky, Wilma Cox of Charlestown, Indiana, Anna Mae Roseberry of Charlestown, Indiana, Mary Rousch and her husband, Bob of Madison, Indiana; several nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Lowry Stockdale, died, May 4, 1990, his mother, Esther Mae Nicholson Stockdale, died September 25, 1974, an infant brother, Roy Stockdale, his brother, Virgil Nolan Stockdale, died August 28, 2017, his grandson, Clint Andrew White, died August 4, 1994, his brothers-in-law, Kenny D. Seel, died April 5, 2020 and Larry Seel, died October 27, 1974, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Howard F. Seel died, June 7, 1992 and Emma Frances O'Neal Seel, died June 5, 1985. PRIVATE FAMILY FUNERAL CEREMONY Private family services will be conducted Friday, April 24, 2020, at 1:00 pm, by Pastor Brynen Chitwood at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre - Hanover Chapel, 278 East Main Street in Hanover, Indiana. Private interment will follow in the New Bethel Cemetery in Chelsea, Indiana. PRIVATE FAMILY VISITATION (Note: Due to Covid-19 restrictions apply)Family may visit Friday from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre - Hanover Chapel, 278 East Main Street in Hanover, Indiana. MILITARY HONORSA final salute will be conducted by the Honor Guard of the Major Samuel Woodfill Post No. 9 of the American Legion Friday at 1:30 p.m. at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre-Hanover Chapel with full military honors to follow at the graveside. MEMORIAL EXPRESSIONS Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Hanover United Methodist Church-Food Pantry. Cards are available at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centres of Hanover and Madison. Online condolences, www.morgan-nay.com Make An Online Memorial Donation To send a flower arrangement in memory of "Gene" Orville Gene Stockdale, please click here to visit our sympathy store.