Eric Dan Stone

Eric Dan Stone was born on Monday, August 6, 1979, in Emporia, Kansas. He was the son of Dan W. Stone and Nancy M. (Becker) Swafford. In 1993, Eric moved from Emporia to Ottawa, in Franklin County, Kansas, where he made his home until his death on Saturday, July 4, 2009, at the age of twenty-nine years. He attended Faith Baptist School in Osawatomie, Kansas. He received his Firefighter 1 Certificate in 2005 and graduated from SCAFFA Fire School at the Kansas University Fire and Rescue Training Institute as a member of the Rapid Intervention Team. He was also a certified Rescue Diver. He was a 2006 truck driving graduate from Ft. Scott Community College. Eric was a firefighter for the LOH Fire District for five years and was employed two years as a tree trimmer for Gibbs Tree Service. Eric was adventurous, loving and outgoing. He was very serious about his firefighting and diving career. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing video games, assembling model cars and fishing. He was always smiling, had fun getting into trouble with his “better half” and loved barbecuing. Eric was a great dad and would quite often paint his little girl’s fingernails. He also enjoyed teaching his son to be the best firefighter he could be. His greatest enjoyment was spending time with his family and visiting with his friends. On Friday, September 15, 2000, Eric was united in marriage with Angela Gosney in Ottawa, Kansas. He is survived by his mother, of Ottawa; wife, Angela, of the home; son, Dakota Dan Stone of the home; two daughters, Emily Marie Stone and Allison Jane Stone both of the home; sister, Chelsea Swafford of Ottawa; brother, Logan Swafford of Ottawa; aunt, Linda Wear; two uncles, Richard Becker, Fred Becker; grandfather, Floyd Becker; great-grandmother, Mabel Becker; and niece, Brodi Knox. Eric had a special love for his Grandma Stone, Uncle Floyd and his cousins, Michelle and Kim Stone. He is preceded in death by his grandmother, Beverly Jane Becker, and father. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held from Dengel & Son Mortuary in Ottawa at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 9, 2009. IN STATE: Friends may pay their respects to Mr. Stone at the Dengel & Son Mortuary after 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, where the family will meet with friends from 7:00 to 8:00 Wednesday evening. CEMETERY: Key West Cemetery, east of Lebo, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to Eric Stone Children’s Memorial Fund, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.