Homer J. Stone

Homer J. Stone, 87, Springfield, passed away Dec. 19, 2011, in the Missouri Veterans Home, Mt. Vernon, where he received dedicated, compassionate care for more than four years. He was surrounded by his family; Jean, loving wife of 63 years; daughters, Dayna Vantonder and Barbara and Larry Hull; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.

Born in Nevada, Mo., April 18, 1924, Homer served four years in the U.S. Navy in World War II and Korea, before returning to Kansas City, where he spent more than 35 years as a locomotive engineer with the Kansas City Southern.

Homer was devoted to his family, outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing, and participating in reunions of his beloved Battleship, U.S.S. Wisconsin.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Verna Stone; brothers, Charles 'Bob' and Loren T. Stone; and sisters, Estelle Ayoub, Virginia Hatfield and Beulah Stewart.

His sweet spirit, quick smile and loving generosity will always be remembered and appreciated by his surviving nephews; nieces; sister, Bette Hopkins, Philadelphia, Pa.; and all those he touched in his happy life. The fish are always biting for you now and the ducks are flying low over your blind.

Services were held on Dec. 23 in Walnut Lawn Funeral Home, Springfield, Mo.