Thomas Sherman Stone, 77, of Maryville, Illinois, formerly of southern Indiana and Northwest Arkansas, died at Eden Village on Wednesday September 24, 2008.

He was born on December 18, 1930 in Antigo, Wisconsin, to Bessie Marie (nee Church) and Harry Sherman Stone. Over his 77 years, Tom Stone forged his own path, which led to many memorable life experiences. He graduated in 1948 from Antigo High School, where his athletic endeavors led to a try-out in professional baseball and on to Stevens Point College in Wisconsin, Nebraska Central in Central City, Nebraska and finally to a college degree from York College, York, Nebraska, in 1954. After a decision to follow Christ's call to ministry, he attended and graduated from United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio, 1957 and later earned a master's in higher education administration from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 1965.

As an ordained United Methodist minister, he combined many years as a university administrator (Westmar in LeMars, Iowa, Earlham in Richmond, Indiana and The University of Evansville, in Evansville, Indiana, while serving many United Methodist and Presbyterian congregations in Oklahoma, Iowa, South Dakota, Indiana, Illinois and Arkansas, on a temporary/interim basis. For health reasons, Tom retired from the University of Evansville in 1993, where he had been the Director of Financial Aid. His great joy was to assist parents and their children in seeking higher education degrees. He also served many couples in marriage and conducted funerals for family, friends and church members.

Survivors include his caring wife, Jean Morton Stone, to whom he was married on July 5, 1952, in Russell, Kansas, and his three beloved sons and their families; Christopher John Stone, Sandra, Alyssa and Alexandra of Greenville, South Carolina; Rev. Kurt Thomas Stone, Linda, Elizabeth, Rachel, Grace and Daniel of Troy, Illinois; and Kyle David Stone, Cindy, Jessie and Jamie of Portland, Oregon. He is also survived by three sister-in-laws; Marge Stone, Cudahy, Wisconsin, Norma Stone, Antigo, Wisconsin, and Jackie Tibbetts, Hays, Kansas, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother at age 12, two brothers and one sister.

He was a member of professional organizations, serving as president of the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association, awards for his volunteer work with Cub Scouts and Little League, in addition to many years as a minister, counselor, mentor and friend to all. In retirement, Tom loved golfing, he was an avid Green Bay Packer fan and supported the St. Louis Cardinal baseball team.

A Memorial service will be held at Troy United Methodist Church, Troy, Illinois, at 11:30 am, Saturday, October 4, 2008, with the Rev. Dennis Price officiating. There will be a memorial service at the Fairview Presbyterian Church, near Princeton, Indiana, at 1:00 pm on Sunday, October 5, 2008, with inurnment to follow in the Fairview Church Cemetery. Rev. Tarrell Thompson will officiate.

Memorials may be made to Thomas S. Stone Endowed Scholarship Fund at the University of Evansville, 1800 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, Indiana 47714-9986.