Arland Dale Stone

AVOCA/CAMBRIDGE- Arland Dale Stone, age 80, of Avoca/Cambridge and Grace Lutheran Church in Cambridge, began celebrating his new life in heaven on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015. A wonderfully humble and beloved man and a gentleman in every way, he will be deeply missed by all for his abiding kindness and calm demeanor, ongoing service to others, delightful sense of humor, and resilience in the face of terminal illness. Throughout the many circumstances that life brings, he possessed an undeniable faith in God's mighty power and wisdom. Arland expressed this unfailing trust with the words, "Faith rest." A man for all seasons, Arland's life was richly marked by numerous professional accomplishments and personal highlights. In 1955, Arland was wed to Evelyn Lehr and together they raised a family of four children. They were divorced in 1984. His second marriage was to Mary Sperbeck in 1986. They divorced in 2005. Professionally, Arland enjoyed over forty years as a practicing tax accountant and enrolled agent. During that time he owned Stone's Bookkeeping of Cambridge and later Personalized Accounting Inc. of Beloit. He served as an active member of the Wisconsin Association of Accountants for many years where he was elected to the Board of Directors from 1975-1979, and was later selected as their vice president in 1984, and their president in 1985. Additionally, he was appointed as liaison to the Wisconsin Board of Accountancy from 1993-2013. Arland was a distinguished member of the National Society of Accountants (NSA) and was named as NSA Wisconsin Director from 1984-1986 and elected to the NSA Tax Committee from 1986-1987. An active contributor to his community, the Village of Cambridge elected Arland to the Village Board in 1974, president of the board in 1976 and appointed him as village clerk from 1985-1987. A man of compassion, Arland volunteered with the Cambridge Area Lion's Club for 27 years. He was elected as secretary from 1994-2001 and as president in 1990 and 1993. Recognized for outstanding service, Arland was honored with the prestigious Melvin Jones Award in 2004. Arland is survived by his sister, Mary Jane Stevens of Marshall; his beloved children, Roni Sue Christian of Stoughton, Ricky Stone of Madison, Kent (Caren) Stone of Oregon and Craig (Lisa) Stone of Belleville; step-son, Paul Sperbeck of La Crosse; dear friend, Brooke (Steve) Griffin of Cambridge; grandchildren, Amanda (Colby) Hoffman of Madison, Melanie (Ian) Hall of Stoughton and Jacob, Jared and Megan Stone of Belleville; great-grandchildren, Ace and Griffin Hoffman of Madison; and close friends, Khloe and Julie Griffin of Cambridge, Dan Wood of Avoca and Kim Fisher of Prairie du Sac. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister; a brother; a son; and a step-daughter. In recent years, he and Barbara Wood, his cherished life partner, enjoyed traveling throughout the world. Avid ballroom dancers, Arland and Barbara belonged to a number of southern Wisconsin dance clubs including Twelve Nighters of Brookfield. When cruising the Caribbean Islands east and west, they enjoyed the rhythm of bands big and small, and the steps of the cha cha, rumba, waltz and tango. Besides dance and travel, Arland delighted in the company of family and friends, the beauties of nature, and the joys of photography, bowling, and many a good book. Arland loved us deeply. We will always love and remember him for the heart and soul he brought to our lives. His devoted legacy of service and ardent dedication to others, lives on through all of us. The family wishes to thank Dr. Ryan Porter and Dr. Rachel Keith and the caring staff at Dean Health and Agrace HospiceCare, who stood by and guided Arland through his end of life journey. In lieu of flowers, and in thanksgiving for his life, donations may be made to Agrace HospiceCare or the Lions Club of Cambridge. There will be a memorial service and thanksgiving of a life well lived at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, at 11:30 a.m., on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015. A luncheon will follow the service. Friends may call at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday. "What if we were meant to be stars in the sky and after we completed our purpose on earth we returned to light the night sky." Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420