Phillip Russell Stapleton, 69, of rural South Whitley, died at 12:12 p.m. Saturday, December 4, 2022, at Parkview Randallia, Fort Wayne.

Born on October 30, 1953, in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, he was a son of the late JoEd and Ethel (Johnson) Stapleton. As a young boy, the family moved to Claypool, where he completed his schooling.

A carpenter by trade, he had worked for Whitley Mfg., South Whitley, Jerry Reiff Construction, and the Dayne Wilkinson farm.

On December 20, 2006, he married his companion and love of 42 years, Nina Faye Pinder.

Today the Lord needed a heavenly carpenter, and he got the best there ever was. A man who loved and was loved so dearly has left us. A skilled carpenter who could build anything, papaw was the kind of man any man would aspire to be like. A man whom his family was proud to call their own. A fierce gardener who never let the moles take over his nicely manicured lawn, he was a working man of the highest caliber. He was a family man who didn't stray far from home, but his life was filled with love, laughter, and good times. He loved to watch cartoons, westerns, and antique shows because he was pretty sure he had one of those. He was a man who was the first to volunteer his help and the last one to say, "we're done for the day," and leave with, "call me tomorrow and let me know what time you need me."

He taught his daughters to work hard for everything because nothing is ever given freely. A trait they are proud to honor. A man who was unbelievably proud of his granddaughters and would tell anyone who listened all about them. Weekly sleepover with his youngest granddaughter was the highlight of his week. He never got nearly enough time with his great-grandsons in their young lives but was thankful to have had the time he had with them.

So today, the surviving family, wife Nina; daughters Kathy (James) Rodgers of Larwill and Melaine (Thomas) Young of Wabash; granddaughters Jamesyn Rodgers, Kaidence, and Haley Carey great-grandsons, Lennon, Emery, and Wyatt; nieces, NaTasha Wadkins, Ashley Stapleton, and Whitney Stapleton; great-nephew, Brandon Ousley and great-niece, Elizabeth; siblings, Edgar Stapleton of Warsaw and JoAnn Stapleton of Columbia City; sisters-in-law, Patricia Johnson, Bobby Wadkins, Sally Perkins, and brother-in-law, Paul Perkins, hold each other closer knowing the memories we have will last a lifetime, our hearts are filled with love, laughter, and sadness. We are proud to call him Husband, Dad, Papaw, Brother, Uncle, and Friend. Rest well, papaw, for you are our angel now.

A family memorial gathering will take place at a later date. Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley.