Submitted by: Dan Rich

LeRoy Stutsman

March 21, 1916 - Feb. 14, 2007

South Bend Tribune 2/17/2007

NEW CARLISLE -- LeRoy Stutsman, 90, passed away of natural causes at home early Wednesday morning, February 14, 2007. Mr. Stutsman was born March 21, 1916, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Roy and Lulu (Elder) Stutsman, who passed away in his early childhood. He was then raised by loving guardians, Betty and John Elder. He married the former Ada Lee Harris in Indianapolis May 17, 1937. Ada Lee, his wife of nearly 70 years, survives along with one daughter, Myrna Gay Scott; two grandchildren, Paul Scott (Nicolle) and Carla Scott; seven great-grandchildren, Braden, Loveday, Zorah, Harmony, Judson, Helena and Truly Grace; and a cousin, Barbara (Bob) Mock. His beloved brother, 1st Lt. Robert Stutsman, preceded him in death during WWII.

Mr. Stutsman graduated from IU Bloomington in 1936 at the age of 21 and began teaching that same year at Woodrow Wilson HS in South Bend from 1936-1937. After he and AdaLee married, he took a teaching position at New Carlisle High School and remained for his tenure from 1937-1977. He "loved to teach," helping graduate 23 classes of seniors by being their sponsor. His teaching subjects were: HS social studies, government, geography, American history, music, and his favorite, mathematics. He also coached elementary and junior high basketball. When he was not coaching, he was score and timekeeper. Always enthused about sports, he was well-known at all the pep rallies for "twisting the tigers tail," and had many stories of driving the teams to their games in blizzard conditions. He also was captain of the New Carlisle auxiliary police force from 1955-1964. He also was very active in the Lions Club. He enjoyed many leisure activities, e.g. needlepoint, latch-hook, flower and lawn care, playing cards, and especially loved his dogs and building layouts of model trains with the grandchildren. A more detailed portrait of his life can be read in the April 17, 2006, issue of the New Carlisle News. Always with respect, always with integrity and honor, always one of the best-dressed teachers and grandpas, always wearing bright colors and a hat, always with love and admiration for others...Always.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 17, 2007, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 201 S. Filbert Street, New Carlisle, Indiana, where friends may visit from 11:00 a.m. until the time of services. Burial will follow at New Carlisle Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.