Submitted by: Dan Rich

Iva Fay Stayton

Sept. 22, 1924 - March 2, 2000

South Bend Tribune 3/4/2000

A lifelong area resident, Iva Fay Stayton, 75 years old, of Ash Road, Granger, passed away after a brief illness at 8:10 a.m. on Thursday, March 2, 2000, in the St. Joseph Community Hospital in Mishawaka. Iva was born on Sept. 22, 1924, in Coalmont, Ind., to the late Simon Ray Miller, Sr., and Ida Mae (Kellems) Miller.

On Nov. 30, 1941, in South Bend, Iva and Maurice G. Stayton were married. Iva worked at various local companies including Domore, Ball Band (Uniroyal) XL Corporation and Twin Branch Highlander Laundromat. She retired in 1990. Dancing, listening to soft contemporary music and enjoying family were Iva's favorite activities. She entered several dance competitions and won many awards. However, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were her real enjoyment.

She is survived by her husband, Maurice; a son, Jerry (Becky) Stayton of Osceola; three daughters, Judy (Gary) Secor of Elkhart, Sharon (Charles, Sr.) Sowders of Mishawaka and Deborah (Timothy) Kling of Elkhart. In addition, there are six granddaughters, Kelley (Secor) Nease, Shelley (Secor) Dietz, Stacey Secor, Jennifer Webb, Jill (Stayton) Deckard and Michele Jennings; four grandsons, Jerry Stayton, Jr., Roy Webb II, Adam Kling and Alex Kling; six great-grandchildren, Zachary Nease, Garrett Nease, Jacob Dietz, Alec Dietz, Paige Dietz and Jared Deckard; a sister, Martha Chapman of California; and three brothers, S. Ray Miller, Jr., of Elkhart, Richard L. Miller of Kokomo and Robert G. Miller of Granger; and by four step-grandsons. Iva was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Nolan Miller; and six sisters, Betty Miller, Hazel Miller, Edith Miller, Gertrude Chestnutt, Mary Belle Evelsizer and Cecil Harris.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 6, 2000, in the Twin Branch Bible Church, 3807 Vistula Road, Mishawaka, Ind. Rev. Daniel Boes, pastor of the church, will officiate. Graveside services and burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Mishawaka. Friends may visit with the family from 2 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 5, in the Palmer Funeral Home, 1109 Lincolnway West, Osceola, and one hour prior to services in the church on Monday. Contributions in memory of Iva Fay Stayton may be donated to the Alzheimer's Association, 425 N. Michigan St., South Bend, Ind. 46601.