Memorials

Stanley O. Needham, Jr., 88, of Fort Wayne, died at 8:54 a.m. Monday, July 28, 2008 at Towne House Health Center.
He was born August 6, 1919, in Cincinnati, Ohio, a son of Stanley O. and Matilda (Horst) Needham. In 1925, his family moved to Detroit, Michigan, and in 1931 to Fort Wayne, where his father founded Needham’s Typewriter Company. He graduated from North Side High School and continued his education at Northwestern University.
On September 22, 1941, he was inducted into the United States Army, serving in the chemical warfare service during World War II. He was honorably discharged as a captain.
On November 19, 1942, he was united in marriage to Louva Smith of Columbia City. They have always made their home in Fort Wayne.
His entire working career was spent at Needham’s Business Machines. A second generation owner/operator, he retired in 2001.
A member of First Wayne Street United Methodist Church, he served as chairman of trustees and building council when the church was built in 1972 and also as a lay leader. He was also past president of the downtown Kiwanis Club. He was also involved with drama and theater at the Civic Theater and at the church. An avid reader, he enjoyed traveling, playing bridge and spending the summers at Oliver Lake with his grandchildren.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Louva; three children, Stanley O. (Carol) Needham III of Columbia City, Stacey (Randy) Jacobs of Billings, Montana, and Gregg S. (Judy) Needham of Mountain Home, Arkansas; six grandchildren, Meredith Jacobs, Amanda Mettler, Brent Jacobs, Eric Jacobs, Ashley Hargrove and Jessie Needham; seven great-grandchildren, Savannah Butler, Steele Jacobs, Luke Jacobs, Evan Hargrove, Annabelle Hargrove, Reed Hargrove and Johnathon Hargrove; and a sister, Peggy (George) Ellis of Cheshire, Connecticut.
The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 31, 2008 at First Wayne Street United Methodist Church, 300 E. Wayne, Fort Wayne with one hour of visitation prior to the service. The burial will be at Lindenwood Cemetery. The visitation will also be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Towne House Chapel, 2209 St. Joe Center Road, Fort Wayne.
For those who wish, memorials may be made to First Wayne Street United Methodist Church.
Arrangements are by Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.