Katelyn Elizabeth (Stonkus) Needham

September 6, 1996 - January 14, 2022

Katelyn Elizabeth (Stonkus) Needham died tragically on Friday, January 14, 2022, in Old Forge, New York. She was 25 years old and was living with her husband in their new home in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Katie was born on September 6, 1996, in West Chester, Pennsylvania, to her parents, John and Angela Stonkus. Katie had a wonderful childhood, filled with sweet memories with family and friends. She graduated from Wilmington Christian School in 2015 and then Grove City College in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Katie had a deep enjoyment of soccer, and loved being able to play throughout high school and college. She was immensely creative and sought to use her many talents to bless and encourage those whom she loved. She also loved animals and never encountered a puppy that she didn’t want to take home with her. Her most cherished memory was the exquisite summer day of August 25, 2019, when in front of all her treasured family and friends, she married her high school sweetheart and best friend, Derek Bert Needham. Katie’s life was one marked by an immense and radiant joy. A joy that was selfless and infectious, a joy that she lavished upon those around her through her tight hugs, her kind smiles, her goofy laughs, the generous giving of back and head rubs, and through the meaningful and life-giving conversations that always came so easy to her. This joy flowed out of her relationship with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A Savior who welcomed and accepted her, not because of anything she had done, but because of the finished work of Christ upon the cross for her sins. And it was His forgiveness and love for her that drove and inspired her to be the loving, welcoming, nurturing, and caring woman that she was. And though her passing is tragic, her Hope remains and endures, for that same God who welcomed her throughout the years, has now welcomed her into His joyous presence forevermore. Katie was preceded in death by her grandparents, William and Ann Aheimer, Ruth Aheimer, and John Stonkus, Sr. Katie is survived by her devoted and beloved husband, Derek; her parents, John and Angela Stonkus; Derek’s parents, Arthur and Barbie Needham; her siblings: Amanda (Stonkus) and Chris McCourt, John and Kait Stonkus, Alyssa (Stonkus) and Sam Hogan, and Carley (Needham) and Jan Nevarez; her nieces and nephews: Corey, Dakota, and MacKenzie McCourt, John Theodore Stonkus, and Olivia Joy Hogan; her grandparents, Patricia and Thomas Tullo, and Kathy Stonkus; Derek’ grandparents, Nancy Colligan, Donald and Julia Needham, and other close family and friends. A visitation will be held Friday, January 21, 2022, from 10 AM – 12 Noon at Ogletown Baptist Church, 316 Red Mill Rd., Newark, DE 19713 followed by a service in celebration of Katie’s life at 12 Noon. Burial will be held privately on Saturday. For directions or to send an online condolence visit www.stranofeeley.com In lieu of flowers, the family would like to recommend a donation to Orphan Care Coalition (OCC). Their mission is to educate, equip, and encourage Christians and their churches to care for children in need of families. Andrew’s Closet is a tangible way that OCC assists families who are welcoming children for emergent, temporary, or long-term placements, providing essential items in the first 48 hours of foster care. Katie had a strong passion for children and would be so excited about any donations. If you would like to support OCC, please visit their website at orphancarecoalition.org