Lucile E. Stoppenhagen

Lucile E. Stoppenhagen, 94, of Decatur, Indiana passed away on Sunday evening, July 26, 2020, at Adams Woodcrest in Decatur.

She was born on October 12, 1925, in Van Wert, Ohio to the late Edwin Steele and the late Bertha (Krueckeberg) Steele. Lucile was united in marriage to Wilbert E. Stoppenhagen on November 3, 1946, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Decatur and he preceded her in death on December 10, 1990. On July 1, 1995, she married Marvin J. Stoppenhagen at Zion Lutheran Church, Friedheim and he passed away on September 3, 2017.

Lucile was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Friedheim where she had been active in the Tabea Society; the Altar Guild; LWML; and the church choir.

She retired from Fort Wayne Wire Die and served her family as a homemaker for many years.

Lucile was a strong woman of faith; spending time daily in prayer and reading her bible. Her church family was a very important part of her life. Lucile loved to grow and arrange her flowers, often placing them on the Altar at the church. She was an avid gardener, canning and freezing produce to provide for her family. She enjoyed fine needle embroidery, and quilting. Marvin and Lucile were well recognized as they rode their three wheeled bikes throughout Ossian.

She is survived by a daughter, Sheila Stoppenhagen of Fort Wayne, Indiana; daughter, Sandra (Ken) Uhrick of Decatur, Indiana; daughter, Sharlene Hempel of Willis, Texas; son, Stan (Tami) Stoppenhagen of Decatur, Indiana; 12 grandchildren, Jodi Baldwin, Kari (Keith) Spangler, Aaron (Lindsey Mongold) Allen, Diana (Mike) Hunley, Jeremy Miller, David Hempel, Anthony (Bethany) Hempel, Shawn (Amy) Hempel, Mitchel (Amanda) Hempel, Joshua Stoppenhagen, Zachary (Heather) Stoppenhagen, and Jacob (Nicole) Stoppenhagen; 15 great-grandchildren with one more on the way; two great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Lucile was preceded in death by a son, Stephen Stoppenhagen; a daughter, Sylvia Allen; a sister, Emma Etzler; and five brothers, Wilbert, Alton, Lorenz, Harry, & Herman Steele.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 31, 2020, at Zion Lutheran Church, Friedheim with Pastor Daniel Dahling officiating. Burial will follow in Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, Friedheim.

Family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, July 30, 2020, at the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur and also one hour prior to the service at the church.

Preferred memorials can be given to Zion Lutheran Church, Friedheim Expansion Fund, Lutheran Hour Ministries or donor’s choice.

Arrangements by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur, Indiana.