Sergeant First Class Milton Stone, U. S. Army, Retired

SFC Milton J. Stone, U. S. Army, Ret’d, age 81 years of Buchanan, Michigan died unexpectedly at 4:44 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at his home.

He was born on December 26, 1936 in Alabama, and was a son of Milton J. and Marissa Stone. He was graduated from Monterey (California) High School, and later joined the United States Army in which he served for over twenty-two years. More than half of his service was at foreign stations, and he was highly decorated including the Bronze Star Medal with an additional Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. He retired in 1982 as a Veteran of the Vietnam Era. He continued to serve as a contractor to the Department of Defense for the RCA Corporation, helping to establish early optic fiber technology in Germany. He finally retired to Buchanan in 2003.

Milt was passionate to learn, which was evident in his reading and watching movies about military history, and completing college courses while in the military. At each foreign post, he became fluent in the local language. He also cared about his family and friends, and used his knowledge in interesting – and not boring – conversation.

On May 1, 1973 at Fort Campbell in Clarksville, Tennessee he married the former Dagmar Marie Schmitz with whom “Stoney” celebrated last year the forty-fourth anniversary of their wedding.

He is survived by his wife, Dagmar Stone, and by a daughter, Cheryl Vinnedge of Niles, and grandchildren Michael and Courtney.

He was preceded in death by his father Milton J. (& Marissa) Stone, who raised him; and his son-in-law, Gary Vinnedge of Niles.

The Catholic Funeral Liturgy will be read for Milton Stone at Noon on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles, Michigan by the Rev. Christian Johnston of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles. The service will conclude outside with Full Military Honors by the United States Army Honor Guard and American Legion Post #51 of Buchanan. The family will receive relatives and friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Sergeant First Class Milton J. Stone, U. S. Army wished to be laid to rest with his military brothers at Arlington National Cemetery. Due to his remarkable service record, he is eligible for full earth burial rites with military honors, which will be completed according to the cemetery’s schedule later this summer. Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home will shelter his remains until the appointed time, and will announce that schedule when appropriate.

COMMITTAL RITE of the Catholic Funeral Liturgy and Full Military Honors by the United States Army Honor Guard will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at Arlington National Cemetery.  The staff of Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home will receive family, relatives, and friends at 9:30 a.m. at the procession staging area near the Administration Building.  More information about what to expect at Arlington National Cemetery may be found on the internet at: https://arlingtoncemetery.mil/Funerals/Attending-a-Funeral/Order-of-Events

Contributions in memory of Milt may be made to the Niles Riverfront Veteran’s Memorial, c/o Niles City Hall, 333 North Second Street, Niles, Michigan 49120. Online condolences may be left at: www.halbritterwickens.com