July
22, 1924 - May 24, 2010SOUTH BEND - Stanley Merlyn Dodgson, 85, son of the late Arthur S. and Ruth N. (Roth) Dodgson. Also preceding him was his first wife, G. Geraldine Dodgson. He was born July 22, 1924, in Mentone, IN, and passed away Monday, May 24, 2010, at Memorial Hospital of South Bend after complications from a fall. Stanley began his ministry with the American Baptist Convention in 1946, and was minister at First Baptist Church of South Bend from December 1962 to July 1973, and enjoyed teaching English at Clay High School until retirement in 1992. Stanley held degrees from William Jewell College, Colgate-Rochester Divinity School, Indiana University, and the University of Notre Dame. He was a member of the American Baptist Convention, National Education Association, coached Girls Track and Girls and Boys Cross Country at Clay High School, and served with the American Red Cross Disaster Relief efforts upon retirement, including the Los Angeles earthquake, numerous flood, hurricane and tornado relief efforts, and he served for a month in New York City following 9/11. Stanley is survived by his wife, Ruth Stinson Dodgson; children, Susan Dodgson of Oxford, OH, Jane (Earl) Reisdorff of Okemos, MI, Martha (Mark) Magliola of Granger, IN; stepchildren, Steven Stinson of Muncie, IN, LuAnn Kaczynski of Mishawaka, Todd (Chris) Stinson of Fort Wayne, IN, and Leah (Tim) Magnuson of Goshen, IN; nine grandchildren, Ben Heroux, Hannah and Rebecca Reisdorff, Matthew Magliola, Kelcey and Trey Magnuson, Stephany Kaczynski, Ian Stinson and Tanya Natsik; his siblings, Lucille (John) Mayo of Chatham, NJ, Dr. Kenneth (Sally) Dodgson of Rochester, NY, Wilfred Dodgson of Boardman, OH; and numerous nieces and nephews and cousins. He had a great passion for his family and friends, photography, golf, reading, music - especially the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and loved to eat ice cream. Stan and Ruth enjoyed traveling. They traversed most of the United States and Canada in their fifth-wheel and enjoyed the winters in Florida with family and friends. Upon his death, he generously donated his organs for research. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 8th, in the Welsheimer Family Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Road. Also one hour prior to memorial services at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 9th, in First Baptist Church of South Bend, 3010 South Ironwood Drive. Pastors Janell Bloem and Dr. Kenneth Dodgson will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross, 3220 E. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, IN 46615; or to the First Baptist Church. E-mail condolences may be sent to www.welsheimer.com.