Obituary of Elaine Mary Stoll

Elaine Mary Snavely was born at home in Monroe, Michigan on May 25, 1935. She was the second eldest of eight children born to Clarence and Dorothy (Bruhn) Snavely. Elaine graduated from Monroe High School with the Class of 1953. One fateful night, in the parking lot of “The Crow’s Nest”, she crossed paths with a gentleman who sparked up a conversation with her and would later become the love of her life. On June 6, 1959, she wed Harold Stoll at Zion Lutheran Church in Monroe. The couple was blessed with the birth of three children.

For forty-one years, Elaine was employed as an executive secretary at the Lay-Z-Boy World Headquarters in Monroe. She retired in 1996 but not before earning the respect of all those she encountered and making many loyal friends.  

Elaine and her husband enjoyed dressing to the nines every weekend for a night of dinner and square dancing. The pair were very well traveled, often heading West to visit the National Parks. A fun-loving person, she enjoyed weekly games of Scrabble with her sister as well as her daughter, Lori. Elaine was also a veracious reader. A lifetime fan, she enjoyed cheering on the Detroit Tigers baseball team.

A devout Christian, Elaine was a lifetime member of Zion Lutheran Church in Monroe where she often attended Bible class. Having a strong faith she was compelled to share the word of God with others. Elaine was humble with an extremely generous heart, frequently donating to countless charities. She volunteered her time teaching children to read at Custer Elementary School. No matter the situation, Elaine never hesitated to offer a helping hand. She possessed a wealth of wisdom and shared the best advice.

Elaine often said that she lived “three lifetimes”: her childhood, marriage and raising her daughters, and retirement. Elaine Mary Stoll, age 87, of Erie, Michigan began her forth lifetime in God’s Kingdom of Heaven on Wednesday; January 11, 2023.   She passed at her home of sixty-two years.   Her passing was preceded by her parents; her husband of twenty-one years: Harold Stoll in 1980; an infant son: Mark Alan Stoll; a great granddaughter: Taylor Peters; and four brothers: Ronald, William, James, and Gary Snavely.

To cherish her memory she leaves two daughters: Lori (Ron) Duwve of Toledo, Ohio and Lois (Rick) Peters of Woodruff, South Carolina; three grandchildren: Ricci Peters, Nicole (Carl) Simmons, and Matthew Peters; two step-grandchildren: Julie Worthington and David (Angie) Duwve; four great grandchildren: Hayden and Camryn Peters, Antwon Davis, and Noah Simmons; two sisters: Bonnie Heck and Diane Bilicic both of Monroe; a brother: Dean Snavely of Yuma, Arizona; and many nieces and nephews.

Friends may gather on Monday; January 16, 2023, from 3:00pm until 6:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, South Monroe; 14567 South Dixie Highway, Monroe, Michigan 48161 (734) 241-7070. Elaine will lie in state from 10:00am until the time of a Worship Service celebrating her life at 11:00am on Tuesday; January 17, 2022, at Zion Lutheran Church; 186 Cole Road, Monroe, Michigan 48162.   Procession will follow to Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Monroe for burial.

Memorial donations are suggested to Zion Lutheran Church, any DIPG cancer charity in Loving Memory of Taylor Peters, Shriner’s Hospitals for Children at lovetotherescue.org, Cure SMA at curesma.org, or the Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan at hfmich.org. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.