Sara Lou Stonerock, 88, a gracious, pleasant, loving woman with strong inner strength that served her well during her life departed this life on October 20, 2020 at Addison Place Assisted Living in new Castle. The first born of J. Fred and Eula Purvis Masengale, Sara was born on February 27, 1932 in New Castle.
She graduated from New Castle High School, class of 1949 and completed a secretarial course at New Castle Business College. Her first job was secretary to the New Castle City Surveyor. Sara continued her secretarial duties in offices at World Bestos for 26 years, Consumer’s Ice and Fuel, Heavin and Associates, and retired at age 72 years after many years of service in the Henry County Treasurer’s Office. Sara was a ‘keeper’ –a keeper of memories of good times, a keeper of gifts complete with date, occasion, and giver’s name and a keeper of things she ‘might need someday.’ Long-time and recent friends, her home and wonderful neighbors on Weekly Court where she lived for 50+ years, and her family held special places in Sara’s heart. In her heart and mind Sara’s friends were friends for life and cherished by Sara. She and a circle of close friends enjoyed and sustained a card club as their children grew up and continued their friendships into their retirement years. In recent times, nothing pleased Sara more than catching up with her son’s family in California and with her friends’ lives via phone. Sara married Doug Stonerock in the summer of 1955. Sara and Doug, who died in 2010 after a lengthy illness, were married 55 years. Sara cared for Doug at home so that he could spend his last days in the home they loved. For many years the couple spent weekends boating with friends and often entertained friends in their home. For a short time, when son John was a preschooler, Doug and Sara operated the Ranch House restaurant on West State Road 38.
Sara was a member of Memorial Wesleyan (formerly 9th Street Wesleyan) Church from the 1940’until her death.
Sara’s family gives special thanks to the administration and staff at Addison Place who cared so competently and lovingly for Sara, especially during the unique conditions that COVID-19 pandemic brought during her last days.
Sara is survived by her only child John Scott Stonerock (wife Roxanne) of Los Angeles, CA; three grandsons, Matthew Stonerock, Brian Stonerock (wife Jennifer) and son Carson, Christopher Stonerock (wife Nicole) and sons Wyatt and Tanner, all of California; her only sibling, Larry G. Masengale (wife Jan); her only niece, Jennifer Hood (husband Andy) and their twin sons, Ezra and Elijah; two aunts, Mary Jo Graves of Ohio and Karen Purvis of Arizona; and close cousins, Linda Stairs of New Castle and Charles Stairs (wife Kim) of Fishers; several other cousins and many dear friends also survive.
Services will be 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle with Rev. Denny Neal officiating. Burial will follow in South Mound Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until time of services Wednesday. In lieu of flowers Sara asked that friends have a special meal with those they love or contribute to a charity of their choice. Due to COVID-19 and the governor’s mandate face coverings will be required. You may express condolences or share a memory of Sara at www.hinsey-brown.com.