Verna Belle Stewart

Verna Belle Stewart, 74, of Tippecanoe, passed away on Wednesday, October 26, 2016, at Trinity Hospital Twin City in Dennison with her son, Tim by her side. Born February 23, 1942 in Piedmont, she was a daughter of the late Clyde Forrest and Sarah Elizabeth (Duffy) Sheppard.

Verna was a graduate of Barnsville High School before earning her CNA certification from Kent State University Tuscarawas Branch which prepared her for her career at Morning View Nursing Home (now Schoenbrunn Healthcare) in New Philadelphia.

On October 5, 1963, Verna married David Clayton Stewart with whom she enjoyed over 51 years of marriage until his passing on February 9, 2015. They are survived by children, Karen Cruise, Natalie Stewart, David Stewart, Kimberly (Julian) Bridges and Timothy (Angie) Stewart; grandchildren, Donald, Lacie, Jewelie, Mistie and Candice Heston, Alexis Stewart-Moss, Anna, Connor, Kaitlyn and Ava Bridges, Clint and Clay Kutcher, and Cierra Doane; great-grandchildren, Nathaniel, Olivia, Lennox, Gavin and Bri; and a dear friend who was like a daughter, Shellie Kutcher. Verna is also survived by her siblings, Helen Sheppard, Grace Friend, David Sheppard, Mary Sheppard and Anna Mae Cook; a sister-in-law, Lilly Sheppard; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by brother, William Sheppard and Floyd Sheppard; brothers-in-law, Delbert Cook and Charles Friend; sister-in-law, Jesse Sheppard; and a son-in-law, Pete Cruise.

Services, officiated by Pastor David Koch, will be held at 11am on Monday, October 31, in the R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home in Dennison. Interment will follow in Greenmont Cemetery in Freeport. Visitation will be 2-5pm on Sunday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Tippecanoe Volunteer Fire Department.