November 25, 1918 – July 22, 2017
Ernestine Lucille (Pask) Stephenson, 98, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2017 at her Riverwalk Commons home in Noblesville. “Ernie”, as she was affectionately called by both family and friends, was born at the Pask family home on November 25, 1918 in Millville, New York. She was the fifth of six children born to her parents, Gailey Smith Pask, Sr. and Clara Ruth (Peters) Pask. Ernie attended grammar school in Millville, and graduated from Medina High School in 1936. She attended Taylor University in Upland, Ind., where she met her husband-to-be, the late Rev. Paul B. Stephenson. They were married at the Millville Methodist Church on June 30, 1938. After Paul graduated from Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, Ill., he and Ernie together faithfully served the following Indiana Methodist churches: Hamilton, Richmond Trinity, Winchester, Noblesville First, Fort Wayne First, Portland Asbury, Munster Ridge, Rochester Grace and Michigantown.
Ernie’s memberships included Tri Kappa, P.E.O. and the United Methodist Women. She also served as a volunteer at many community hospitals, and was rightfully proud of her more than 6,500 volunteer hours at Riverview Hospital in Noblesville. She also served a number of years as membership secretary for the First United Methodist Church. Ernie sang in church choir in each of the churches that they served. Her international travels with husband Paul included two unforgettable pastoral exchanges to Palace Avenue Methodist Church, Paignton, Devon, England, as well as many trips to Europe, South America, Australia and the Holy Lands.
Ernie was the loving mother of four children, Philip James Stephenson (wife Gerri) of Rehoboth Beach, Del.; Jean Ann Maxwell (widow of Frank) of Lapel, Ind.; Paul Bruce Stephenson (wife Maria) of Bloomington, Ind., and Claire Ann Smith (husband Gary) of Portland, Ind. She was blessed to have five grandchildren: Peter Norio Stephenson, Michelle Kei Taylor (husband Robert), Michael Yoshio Stephenson (wife Christine), Greta Claire Stephenson, Marta Grace Stephenson; seven great-grandchildren: Noah, Ashley, Nicholas, Taylor, Aiden, Maddox, Jackson; and one great-great-grandson, Spencer. Ernie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, the Rev. Paul B. Stephenson in 2002, her five siblings and her son-in-law, Frank Maxwell. She was the last living member of her generation of the Pask and Peters families.
Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, July 28, 2017 at Randall and Roberts Funeral Center, 1685 Westfield Road, Noblesville, IN. The Celebration of Life service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 29, 2017 at First United Methodist Church, 2051 Monument Street, Noblesville, IN, with Bishop John Hopkins, the Rev. Jerry Rairdon and the Rev. Dick Judson officiating. Burial will follow at Crownland Cemetery.
The family suggests that memorial gifts in Ernie’s memory be given to the Noblesville First United Methodist Church Foundation, the Noblesville First United Methodist Church Chancel Choir, or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Condolences: www.randallroberts.com
Arrangements
Calling: 3 to 7 p.m. July 28
Location: Randall and Roberts Funeral Center
Service: 11 a.m. July 29
Location: First United Methodist Church
Condolences: www.randallroberts.com