COLUMBIA CITY – Franklin D. Stayer, 84, of Kendallville, died at 11:31 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, at his home.
He was born Aug. 23, 1936, in Whitley County, a son of the late Ernest and Lovel Druley Stayer. His formative years were spent in Sidney, where he attended Sidney High School.
On Dec. 24, 1971, he married Emmajean Hunter. They lived at Knapp Lake, then moved to Kendallville.
He was a specialty engineer at Kimble Glass in Warsaw for 30 years and the owner-operator of Harper Lake Campground from 1972 – 2002.
Frank liked tinkering, puttering and really enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Emmajean; a daughter, Marsha (Phillip) Schaddelee, of Winona Lake; a son, Stephen (Ellen) Stayer, of Warsaw; stepdaughters, Antoinette (Steve) Johnson, of North Webster; and Margaret (Dan) Dausman, of Pierceton; 12 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Everett Stayer, of Huntington.
He was preceded in death by brothers, Willis, Ernest Jr., Keith, Verlin, Harold and Gerald Stayer; and sisters, Margaret Hisle and Sandra Whittlesey.
The funeral service is 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11 at Smith & Sons Funeral Home. Burial is at the South Whitley Cemetery. Visitation is from 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 11 until the service.
Special thanks go to Hospice Nurse Lorie Lucas and Home Health Care Heather Beltran.
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Memorials are to the Noble County Community Foundation or Parkview Noble Hospice.
Condolences may be sent to www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com.
