Vernon Howard Stinebaugh, 105, formerly of North Manchester, IN passed away on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at Trillium Place, formerly the Mennonite Home. A native of Indiana, Vernon was born in 1919, in Walton, IN, son of the late Rev. Walter C. and Merle Spitler Stinebaugh. His father and grandfather both were long-time pastors and school teachers.
Angela Mae Stinebaugh passed away peacefully the morning of Tuesday, February 16, 2024 at the Mennonite Home. She was two weeks shy of her 105th birthday. She was born in Johnstown, daughter of the late Rev. CC and Cora Horst Sollenberger.
Vernon spent 41 years as a professor of music and symphony conductor, and 24 years as first violinist in the Fort Wayne (Indiana) Philharmonic Orchestra. He began his teaching career at Manchester College, North Manchester, as an associate professor and in 1946, introduced a strings program at the college. A highlight of Vernon's career was to institute a String Festival Concert during which high school students joined in performing with other string players. The event was held annually through 1971. He later accepted a professorship at Grace College, Winona Lake, IN, where he taught for an additional ten years. Vernon held degrees from the University of Dayton, OH and both Sherwood Music School and Northwestern University, Chicago. Along with his career in music, Vernon was an ordained minister for the Church of the Brethren and served 23 years as a part-time pastor for the South Whitley (Indiana) Church of the Brethren, while also teaching at Manchester College.
Angela spent her childhood years in Uniontown, PA, where she graduated from high school in 1936. She then attended Manchester College in North Manchester, IN. It was there that she met her husband, Vernon and received her BS in Music Education, in 1940. Angela taught elementary music for 35 years in the North Manchester Community Schools and pursued graduate studies at Ball State University. She later received her Masters in Music Education from St. Francis University, Fort Wayne, IN.
Vernon and Angela married in1942 at the Ephrata Church of the Brethren and moved to North Manchester, IN in 1946. Angela managed teaching while also being a loving wife and homemaker for her husband and two daughters during an era when married women often did not pursue careers. She was a fine seamstress and enjoyed sewing clothing and crocheting many beautiful items to grace their home.
In 1993, the couple moved to York to reside near their younger daughter, Janice, and in 2010 relocated to Woodcrest Villa, Lancaster to live even closer to family. Shortly after their move to the Lancaster area, they joined the Mountville Church of the Brethren.
Vernon and Angela are survived by their two daughters: Celia (Michael) Weiss, Elkhart, IN and Janice (Laurence) Booz, Lititz. Three grandsons and five great--grandchildren. Angela is survived by her younger sister: Carol Lancaster, Dayton, OH. She was preceded in death by one brother in 2022: Paul Sollenberger, Overland Park, KS. Vernon was preceded in death by an older brother: Galen Stinebaugh, Bridgewater, VA and two sisters: Mary Etta (Don) Holsopple, Goshen, IN and Martha (Lowell) Yohe, North Manchester, IN.
The Stinebaughs celebrated over 81 years of marriage in August of 2023 before Angela's death in February of 2024.
There will be no viewing, however, a Private Memorial Service will be held for the family with the interment of ashes in North Manchester, IN. Memorial gifts may be made to the Stinebaugh Music Scholarship Fund, Manchester University, 604 East College Ave., North Manchester, IN 46962 or to a charity of one's choice. Arrangements by the Workman Funeral Homes, Inc., Mountville/Columbia. To send an online condolence, visit the condolence page.