LeRoy Burton Stoddard

LeRoy (“Roy”) Stoddard, 97, died on April 10, 2026 at American House Westland-Joy, his home for the past nine years. Roy was born on August 8, 1928, the youngest child of Zearl and Florine Stoddard, on the family farm near Onsted. He graduated from Onsted High School in 1945 and Adrian College in 1962 with a degree in chemistry. He worked as a polymer chemist specializing in plastisol formulations until he retired in 1999. On November 10, 1962, he married Norma Jean McLucas, and they shared 45 wonderful years together until her passing in 2007. He lived in Commerce Township for 50 years, and he was an active member of Commerce United Methodist Church for nearly 60 years. In addition to his wife and parents, Roy was preceded in death by his brother, Leslie, two sisters, June and Ramona, and two nephews. He is survived by his son, John, his daughter-in-law, Louise Kirk, three granddaughters – Carolyn (Michael Wilyard), Madelyn, and Jacquelyn, two great-granddaughters – Anna and Grace Wilyard, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Visitation will take place on Monday, April 13, 2026, at Commerce United Methodist Church, 1155 N. Commerce Road, Commerce Township, at 10:00 a.m., with the funeral service beginning at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in North Rome Cemetery, near his birthplace, in Lenawee County. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Commerce United Methodist Church, commerceumc.org/giving, or Detroit PBS, donate.detroitpbs.org/detroitpbs/tribute. Roy was a long-time viewer and supporter of public television.

LeRoy Burton Stoddard

August 8, 1928 - April 10, 2026