IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Stanley G.
Lewallen
September 17, 1932 – January 27, 2017
Obituary
ELKHART — Stanley G. Lewallen, 84, former Elkhart Truth sports editor and city editor, residing in Elkhart, passed away Friday, Jan. 27, 2017, at Elkhart General Hospital.
Stanley was born in Goshen on Sept. 17, 1932, the son of Forrest and Mary (Mitschelen) Lewallen.
He married his wife of 44 years, Karen Strom, on Aug. 19, 1972.
She survives, as well as two sons, Lane (Sharon) Lewallen of Wheatfield and Brad Lewallen of Austin, Texas; grandchildren Lorrie and Daniel Lewallen of Indianapolis; brother Noble F. "Tobe" (Jane) Lewallen of Niles, Mich. and sister Helen (Don) Myers of Goshen.
Mr. Lewallen was a 1950 graduate and star athlete at Goshen High School. He was the first GHS player to be named an All-American. He played primarily quarterback and linebacker. He scored five touchdowns in his final game, the only one he ever played at fullback. In three years of varsity action, he never missed a quarter, and as a senior in 1949, he was named MVP of the Northern Indiana Conference's East Division. He also lettered three years in basketball and twice in track and field, as a high jumper and pole vaulter.
He attended the University of South Carolina on a football scholarship, which was interrupted after his freshman season by serving three years in the United States Army during the Korean War. After his honorable discharge, he enrolled at Michigan State and was offered but declined a football scholarship.
He started at the Elkhart Truth in 1958 as a sports reporter. He later became sports editor, and then was city editor for about five years before leaving in 1978. He wrote owner's manuals for an RV company and did freelance work for RV magazines.
He was an assistant track coach under Tom Kurth for several years. Mr. Lewallen was inducted in the Elkhart County Hall of Fame and was an avid Notre Dame Irish Women's basketball fan and season ticket holder. He was able to attend the 2001 women's national title game in St. Louis.
He also was a member of Creekside Church of the Brethren.
Stanley loved art and was a multi-media artist and member of the Elkhart Art League.
Services celebrating the life of Stanley G. Lewallen will begin with visitation for family and friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, at Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart, followed by a service of celebration and remembrance beginning at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017, at the Creekside Church of the Brethren, 60455 C.R. 113, Elkhart, IN 46517, with visitation beginning there at 10 a.m.
Pastor Rosanna McFadden will officiate. Burial will follow at Violett Cemetery, Goshen, with military honors rendered at the graveside by the U.S. Army Funeral Honor Guard and Goshen Veterans Honor Guard.
The family kindly request memorials to Kankakee Valley High School Girls Cross Country or Track and Field Programs, 3923 W. S.R. 10, Wheatfield, IN 46392 or Habitat for Humanity of Elkhart County, P.O. Box 950, Goshen, IN 46527.
Arrangements are under the care of Billings Funeral Home, Elkhart.
Stanley was born in Goshen on Sept. 17, 1932, the son of Forrest and Mary (Mitschelen) Lewallen.
He married his wife of 44 years, Karen Strom, on Aug. 19, 1972.
She survives, as well as two sons, Lane (Sharon) Lewallen of Wheatfield and Brad Lewallen of Austin, Texas; grandchildren Lorrie and Daniel Lewallen of Indianapolis; brother Noble F. "Tobe" (Jane) Lewallen of Niles, Mich. and sister Helen (Don) Myers of Goshen.
Mr. Lewallen was a 1950 graduate and star athlete at Goshen High School. He was the first GHS player to be named an All-American. He played primarily quarterback and linebacker. He scored five touchdowns in his final game, the only one he ever played at fullback. In three years of varsity action, he never missed a quarter, and as a senior in 1949, he was named MVP of the Northern Indiana Conference's East Division. He also lettered three years in basketball and twice in track and field, as a high jumper and pole vaulter.
He attended the University of South Carolina on a football scholarship, which was interrupted after his freshman season by serving three years in the United States Army during the Korean War. After his honorable discharge, he enrolled at Michigan State and was offered but declined a football scholarship.
He started at the Elkhart Truth in 1958 as a sports reporter. He later became sports editor, and then was city editor for about five years before leaving in 1978. He wrote owner's manuals for an RV company and did freelance work for RV magazines.
He was an assistant track coach under Tom Kurth for several years. Mr. Lewallen was inducted in the Elkhart County Hall of Fame and was an avid Notre Dame Irish Women's basketball fan and season ticket holder. He was able to attend the 2001 women's national title game in St. Louis.
He also was a member of Creekside Church of the Brethren.
Stanley loved art and was a multi-media artist and member of the Elkhart Art League.
Services celebrating the life of Stanley G. Lewallen will begin with visitation for family and friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, at Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart, followed by a service of celebration and remembrance beginning at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017, at the Creekside Church of the Brethren, 60455 C.R. 113, Elkhart, IN 46517, with visitation beginning there at 10 a.m.
Pastor Rosanna McFadden will officiate. Burial will follow at Violett Cemetery, Goshen, with military honors rendered at the graveside by the U.S. Army Funeral Honor Guard and Goshen Veterans Honor Guard.
The family kindly request memorials to Kankakee Valley High School Girls Cross Country or Track and Field Programs, 3923 W. S.R. 10, Wheatfield, IN 46392 or Habitat for Humanity of Elkhart County, P.O. Box 950, Goshen, IN 46527.
Arrangements are under the care of Billings Funeral Home, Elkhart.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Stanley G. Lewallen, please visit our flower store.
Services
Celebration Of Life Visitation
February
1
Creekside Church of the Brethren
11:00 - 11:00 am