FRANKLIN — Clare Ester (Jacobs) Stone, of Franklin United Methodist Community located at 1070 W. Jefferson St., Franklin, Ind., went home to be with the Lord Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012. She was born in Decatur, Ill., on Nov. 1, 1922, to J. Willard Jacobs and Esther Lancaster Jacobs, both preceding her in death. Educated as a teacher at Indiana Central College, Mrs. Stone was an accomplished pianist, organist, music director with an excellent ear for music.

Mrs. Stone married Philip Stone in 1942 who served as a pastor in the South Indiana Conference of the EUB and currently United Methodist Church. She counted it an honor to be a ministry partner in her husband’s pastorates for over 40 years serving with music and a wide variety of other ministries. She also was known by family and friends as a prayer warrior. The Rev. Stone preceded her in death in April of 2003.    

Mrs. Stone is survived by her thee children: son, Dr. Dennis (Mary Sue) Stone of Columbus, Ind., and their family, granddaughter, Dr. Tami (Chris) Iorio of Columbus, with great-grandchildren, Julia, Colvin, Lukas, and Leo Iorio, grandson, Dr. Eric (Leah) Stone of Charlotte, N. C., with great-grandchildren, Hannah and Ella Stone and Dr. Greg (Jessica) Stone of Houston; daughter, Mrs. Donna (Marlowe) Mullen of Greenwood Ind., and her family, granddaughter, Dr. Shelley Mullen of Indianapolis, grandson, Scott (Erin) Mullen of Lafayette, granddaughter, Mrs. Stacey (Joseph) O'Brien of  Pendleton, and her family, great-grandson, Hunter O'Brien; son, John (Peggy) Stone of Overland Park, Kan., and their family, granddaughter, Mrs. Kelly (Kevin) Redford of Cherryvale Kan., and their family, great-grandchildren, Isabelle and John Michael Redford, and granddaughter, Mrs. Holly (Brad) Kemp of Overland Park, and their family, great-granddaughter, Olivia Kemp. Mrs. Stone also is survived by her only brother, the Rev. George (Dorothy) Jacobs, who is a current resident at the Franklin United Methodist Community.

Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren all enjoyed playing games with grandma and Grandma Clare.

Phil and Clare were known for having a house open to guests from all over the world. On three separate occasions a foreign student lived with them while they attended a local university to earn a degree. These students were unofficially adopted into their family as a son and daughters, and remain close to this day. They are Gena Ignacio of the Philippines, Nancy Tucker of Sierra Leone, Africa, and Dinh Nguyen living in Los Alamos, N. M. (formerly from Vietnam).

Clare earned an associate degree from Indiana Central College, where she met her husband. After his graduation from Dayton Theological Seminary, they served the following churches: Corydon EUB Church, Vincennes EUB, First EUB Terre Haute, Brookside UM - Indy, and Wesley UM - Indy. Though retired they both remained very active in the churches they attended. Clare’s favorite scripture that she felt best described their Ministry is Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. Clare believed you should put God first, others second and self third. Clare was quick to become friends and share the love of Christ. She was proud of her family, and believed in order to have friends you had to be a friend. Mrs. Stone made many, many dear lifelong friends in the churches they served as well as at the Franklin Community - both residents and staff alike.

A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, at Wright Chapel of the Franklin United Methodist Community, 1070 W. Jefferson St., in Franklin, where friends may call from 9 a.m. until service time at the chapel. A private entombment service will be conducted at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Greenwood. Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, in Franklin, is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to REHAB UNIT at Franklin United Methodist Community, 1070 W. Jefferson St., Franklin, IN 46131. Online condolences may be sent to the family at:

www.swartzmortuary.com