Marcia Routh

MARCIA (STAMPER) ROUTH passed peacefully into eternal life on the 4th of April surrounded by her family at her home in Danville. There will be a calling at 10:00 AM on the 12th of April followed by a celebration of life service at 11:00 AM at the Danville Christian Church. A private burial will take place at the Fairview Cemetery in North Salem. Helton & Harris Funeral Homes have been entrusted with the arrangements.

Marcia was the eldest daughter of the late Lucille (Parker) and Owen Stamper of Danville, son of the late C.O. Stamper. Born in Indianapolis on September 26th, 1948, Marcia was raised in Danville, and she was a fourth-generation graduate from Danville High School. She was active in the choir, and she played clarinet in the band. Marcia attended Ball State University and Central Business College before working in Indianapolis until the birth of her first child.

Blessed with a beautiful singing voice, Marcia had a natural talent for music. She followed in the footsteps of her mother and grandmother singing at a young age in church, school, and at home with her sisters, Mara Lynn and Margie. Marcia recorded five albums, including two with her high school girl group, The Candy Stripes.

For more than 65 years, Marcia played the piano and organ for Sunday church services. At ten years old, she started playing piano at Maplewood Christian Church where Marcia’s grandmother, Elsie Parker, was the Choir Director, and her mother, Lucille, played the organ. While her church home was at Danville Christian Church, she also shared her music at Christ Indianapolis United Methodist Church and Chapel Hill United Methodist Church for many years. Marcia served the church and the wider community through music, directing and producing concerts, performances, and other events across Central Indiana.

Once her youngest child started elementary school, Marcia also began working with the Danville schools. She brought her love of music and performance into the classroom. Marcia collaborated with Mark Montgomery for the next 30 years. Together, they created memorable concerts and musical productions as well as innovative new performance groups that traveled the country, including The Boogie Band. They nurtured generations of music and theatre talent on the stage, in the orchestra pit, and behind the scenes. Marcia was affectionately known as "Mommy Marcia" by many of the students who passed through the department. She expected all her students to do their best, and she was always willing to help them achieve this goal.

Marcia married David Routh at New Winchester Christian Church. They recently celebrated 55 years of marriage. She is survived by David and their three children: Chad (Nemone) Routh of France, Sharyn (Jaya) Routh of Massachusetts, and Rachel Routh of New York. She is also survived by five precious grandchildren: Rio, Sofia, and Giorgia Routh of France; Julian and Lucille Routh Bajpai of Massachusetts; and her beloved sister Mara Lynn Richardson of Tennessee.

Marcia will be deeply missed by everyone who loved her, including her little white dog, Ella.