Leota M. Nelson Stachura died Saturday at Countryside Manor in Avon. She was 92.
Born in Mount Carmel, Ill., she was a daughter of the late Charles Everett and Ruth Jones Gould. She married Jack Carter Nelson in 1942. Within a few months of their marriage, they were separated for 27 months as he served overseas with the 32nd General Hospital during World War II. After the war they lived in Terre Haute until 1953, Indianapolis until ‘59, and then moved to Plainfield. He died in 1974. She later married John Stachura and he died in 1995.
She lived in the Plainfield area until her death.
After graduation from high school, she enrolled in Union Hospital School of Nursing in Terre Haute, where she graduated as a registered nurse during the World War II years. Her first job was as the campus nurse for Indiana State Teacher’s College when the institution was small enough that all it needed was a campus nurse. She worked as a private duty nurse, hired by families to care for critically ill patients before the advent of intensive care units. In 1963 she became the school nurse for the Avon Community School Corporation and remained in that position until her retirement in 1978.
Mrs. Stachura developed alliances with various health care practitioners in the area to provide care to indigent school children and spent much of her time in retirement caring for friends who were ill.
She was a 15-year volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House and for several years volunteered at the Plainfield Christian Support Center. She was a longtime member of Plainfield United Methodist Church.
Survivors include a son, Charles L. Nelson (Pat) of Avon; grandchildren Matthew C. Nelson (Candi) of Carmel and Erin M. Stormer (Ryan) of Washington, D.C.; great-grandchildren Brianna and Jack Nelson, and Will, Olivia, and Patrick Stormer.; a niece and a nephew.
Preceding her in death were infant sons Carter and Greg Nelson and a brother, Robert Gould.
Services are 6 p.m. Thursday at Plainfield United Methodist Church. Interment will be at a later time in the mausoleum at Maple Hill Cemetery in Plainfield.
Calling in the church narthex is for three hours prior to the service.
Memorials may be made to the Endowment Fund, Plainfield United Methodist Church, 600 Simmons St., Plainfield, IN 46168.
Hall-Baker Funeral Home in Plainfield is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be made at www.bakerfuneralservice.com.
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