Nell Nadine (Buzan) Stafford

Nell Nadine Stafford, 89, of Cicero, Indiana was called home Saturday, February 10, 2024, at Riverview Health in Noblesville, Indiana. Nadine, as she was known, was born November 30, 1934, in Sheridan, Indiana to Cecil D. and Lou Alma (Stowers) Buzan. She grew up on a small family farm in the Sheridan area and attended Westfield High School. She married the love of her life, Grant (Bud) Stafford on September 1, 1951, in Martinsville, Indiana. They settled in Cicero and enjoyed 61 years of marriage before his passing in November 2012.
She and Bud were long-time members of Good Sam's Camping Club and made many friends along the way. She once said, "People that camp are the friendliest people on earth." She especially loved camping when her kids and grandkids were able to join in on the fun. In their later years, their final camping destination was Old Mill Run Campground in Thorntown. There they made many new camping friends, enjoyed evening campfires, pitch-ins, and riding around on their golf cart. She was a longtime and loyal member of the Cicero United Methodist Church where she participated in weekly Bible Study, Women's Groups, helping with funeral dinners and other activities. She instilled her strong faith in God in her children and grandchildren and always encouraged them to pray every day.
After staying home with her four children, she began a long career as an Optometrist Assistant, first working in the Optical Department at the W.H. Block Company. She also worked for Dr. Tavel at the Lafayette Square and Castleton Square locations. She later worked many years for the office of Dr. Jerry Myers in Noblesville, retiring in 1999.
In her younger years, Nadine enjoyed sewing, making many dresses, skirts, pants, jackets, and short sets for her daughter, Robin. She enjoyed crocheting and loved making sweater sets and blankets for anyone having a baby. The afghans she made for family and friends are too numerous to count.
She was affectionately known as Grandma Deanie to her grandchildren and Aunt Deanie to her nieces and nephews. She loved spending time with her family, especially her kids and grandkids.
Nadine is survived by one daughter, Robin Davis (Jeff) of Frankfort, Indiana, and three sons, Don of Charleston, South Carolina, Ken (Jo) of Clarksville, Tennessee, and Jeff (Shelley) of De Pere, Wisconsin. In addition, she is survived by seven grandchildren: Jody, Jeremy, Chastity, Clinton, Jessica, Megan, and Meredith, and two step-grandchildren, Laura and Rob. Also surviving are fifteen great and fourteen great-great-grandchildren; her sister, Eunice Hutslar (Clarence) of Pendleton; sister-in-law Patricia Cummings; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her spouse and parents, one great-granddaughter, brothers Lewis and Gene Buzan, and one sister Margaret Fisher.
Services will be held at Hartley Funeral Home, Cicero Chapel, 209 W Jackson St., on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, with visitation at 11:00 AM and the funeral beginning at 1:00 PM. Graveside services and burial will follow at Cicero Cemetery. Rev. Steve Walker of Cicero United Methodist Church will officiate.
The family would like to thank the Cicero Paramedic Team and all of the caring doctors and nurses at Riverview Health who were able to give her time to see her family before passing. In addition, a special thank you to her loyal friend Evelyn, all of her neighbors who have helped, all of her church friends she so loved, Bernie and Ben, and all of her extended family who may have helped in some way.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Nadine lived a long, good life. Although she will be dearly missed, we know she is dancing with the angels and is reunited with the love of her life, Bud.