David Wayne “Dave” Stokes, beloved husband, father, and friend passed away peacefully in his home in Indianapolis on Friday, December 12, 2025 surrounded by his family.
Dave was born February 3, 1958, in Griffith, the son of Andy and Doris (Hickle) Stokes. He graduated from Griffith High School in 1976 and started a family in northwest Indiana working at Inland Steel for 17 years before moving south to Indianapolis for a job opportunity at Eli Lilly and Company. Dave retired from Eli Lilly in 2016. While his younger years were spent traveling across the country by motorcycle, Dave happily spent his retirement serving as president of Park Place HOA, playing cards, and maintaining beautiful flower gardens with his wife Linda Darlene “Daisy” Johnson Stokes who he married March 31, 2021.
In addition to Daisy, Dave is survived by his son, Adam Stokes and wife, Cori, of Irvington; daughter, Amy Stokes of Indianapolis; brothers, Bruce Stokes and significant other, Gaynel Bryan, of Indianapolis, Tedd Stokes and wife, Theresa, of Fairland, and Darin Stokes of Texas; sister, Denise Hexamer and husband, Tim, of Fortville; mother of his children, Lynn Crae and husband, Bill, of Greenwood; former wife, Debbie Stokes of Indianapolis, and her children, Shelly Povinelli and husband, Derek, and Julie Harnist and husband, Marc; and numerous nieces and nephews. Dave also leaves behind his little dog, Lily.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Ariel Stokes; and sister, Deborah Page. Private services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, PO Box 189, Box Elder, SD 57719.
Online condolences may be shared with Dave’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
