Beautiful and beloved, Daisy Orleana (Sterrett) Stoker slipped from life Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, surrounded by family and at peace.
Daisy was born on Sept. 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 Nov. 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 Thursday, Aug. 4 at Young-Nichols Funeral Home in Tipton at 1 p.m., with Rev. Linda McKiernan-Allen presiding, with visitation from 11 a.m. until the service. Burial will be at Brookston cemetery at 4 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, IN 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.
