ELKHART -- Samuel R. "Sonny" Stout, 55, of 59188 Park Shore Drive, died at 11:56 p.m. Friday (Dec. 15, 2006) in Elkhart General Hospital after apparently suffering a heart attack while working at Jimtown Junior High School.

He was born Oct. 29, 1951, in Hughes, Ark., to Andrew N. and Samella (Harris) Stout Sr. On Aug. 10, 1972, in Berrien Springs, Mich., he married Shirley A. Jacobs.

She survives, along with his father, Andrew of Collierville, Tenn.; one daughter, Shemiko (John) Warren of Elkhart; two sons, Samuel D. "Junior" (Jada) Stout Jr. of Elkhart and Steven M. (Kari) Stout of Indianapolis; six grandchildren; four sisters, Dorothy (Cleo) Sheppard, Pearlie Stevens and Olivia Steward, all of Elkhart, and Verlether Vaughn of Collierville; and two brothers, Johnnie (Claretha) Crenshaw of Cassopolis, Mich., and Andrew N. (Ella) Stout Jr. of Elkhart.

e was preceded in death by two sisters, Rossie Stout and Ula Jean Hill; and his mother, Samella.

ends may call one hour prior to the 11 a.m. Saturday funeral service at Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Elkhart. The Rev. Sam Frison and the Rev. King Dancler will officiate and burial will take place at Little Pine Cemetery, Goshen. Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, is in charge of arrangements.

Stout had worked for Baugo Community Schools for more than two years, but had also served as maintenance supervisor at Concord Mall for 17 years. Prior to that, he was shipping and receiving supervisor at Vincent Bach 17 years. His interests included fishing and watching John Wayne westerns and karate movies. He also liked to work on small engines, spend time in his garden, cook and barbecue. He was an avid Notre Dame and Jimtown fan, but "secretly" rooted for Concord, too. His best times were spent fishing with his grandchildren.

orials may be given to the Samuel R. Stout Memorial Fund, c/o Billings Funeral Home, Elkhart, IN 46514. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.billingsfuneralhome.com

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