Donald L. Stanley

Donald Lee Stanley, 83, passed away Thursday, April 17, 2025, at St. Francis Hospital South in Indianapolis surrounded by his family. He was a resident of Indianapolis. Don was born June 16, 1941, in Portsmouth, OH. He was a 1959 graduate of Manual High School where he was a star basketball player.

Don worked at Eli Lilly for over 30 years, retiring as Convention Director where his dedication and professionalism left a lasting impact. Upon early retirement, he formed Stanley Builders and built beautiful homes on the Southside of Indianapolis. He was a member of Royal Oak Country Club. He loved golfing with his friends and spent every Saturday morning on the course with his son. He enjoyed the outdoors and found peace doing yardwork and joy on his tractor.

Don adored his beloved wife, Karen. Together they built a life full of love, laughter and deep companionship. Their bond was an example of true partnership, and their time together was filled with shared joys, travel and simple moments that meant the world. But above all, his greatest joy came from his children and grandchildren. He was a faithful attendee of the grandkids sporting events and a devoted distributor of hugs, love and praise for them all. Don was a selfless, gentle man with a generous spirit that touched many lives. His steady wisdom and caring nature will be greatly missed by all. He leaves behind a legacy of love, quiet dignity and a life well-lived.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Karen Sue (Grantham) Stanley; his children Jeff Stanley of Mount Dora, Florida, Darren (Sandra) Stanley of San Clemente, CA and Tammy (Robert) Beaumont of Monticello, IN; step children Donna (Jim) Roberts of Indianapolis, Jeff (Kerry) Anderson of Indianapolis; grandchildren Cooper, Eli, Owen and Sage Stanley; Jennifer (Caleb) Hensley, Jeffrey and Julia (Rachel) Stanley, Stephanie (Ryan) Cherry, Jacob (Tiffany) Roberts, Josh Roberts and Morgan Anderson; and 10 great grandchildren – Kierstyn, Isabella, Gavin, Lucy, Aria, Jackson, Jacob, Delaney, Delilah and Ollie.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jasper R. Stanley and Ruth Collins, and his grandson, Herbert Bogard IV.