Connie J. Stathes

STATHES, Constance J. “Connie”, age 73, of Kettering, OH, passed away on Friday, July 26, 2024. She was born on April 27, 1951, to the late Peter J. and Ann M. (nee Thomas) Trohatos. 

She graduated from Beavercreek High School, before continuing her education at Indiana University, where she graduated with her B.S. in Recreational Therapy. Following her education Connie returned home to the Dayton area where she worked for the City of Dayton as a Recreational Therapist, and also returned to her beloved church, The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. There, she met her future husband of 48 years, Ernest “Ernie” Stathes, while singing in the church choir together. They married on December 6, 1975, before moving to Fairfield, OH where they opened up the Central Printing Co., Fairfield division. There Connie worked as the Vice President alongside Ernie until transferring back to the Dayton Division in the early 1990s. After relocating back to Dayton she eventually cared for her parents during their last years, after the family printing company was sold. Later she returned to work as a Recreational Therapist at Maria Joseph Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, where she was adored by many of the residents. Connie was a deeply devoted lifetime member of the Annunciation Church, where she served as a Sunday school teacher, youth group volunteer and festival chair for many years, and choir matriarch for decades. The choir was she and Ernie’s other baby. In high school, she participated in many clubs (including Foreign Study League), band, drill team and especially loved her study of ballet. Throughout her life Connie was an avid reader, danced whenever there was music and was the embodiment of kindness and compassion. She was consistently generous with her time and talents and was always the first person to raise her hand when someone needed help. She enjoyed her time as a Girl Scout troop leader during her daughter’s scouting years, and supporting both her children in any interest they wanted to pursue. Connie’s number one priority in life was loving her family, and she was always happiest when she was spending time with her beloved family, koumbari and friends. Her constant love and eternal kindness will be missed by all who knew and loved her. 

 Connie is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Daniel David Trohatos; brother-in-law, Nicholas Mamais; Godbrothers, James Nicholas and William Seal; Godson, Donald Hanel; and koumbari, John and Helen Pantazakos.

 She is survived by her husband, Ernie G. Stathes; children, Anna M. (Jason) McCullough and Gus E. Stathes; granddaughter, Dena McCullough; bonus granddaughters, Ellison Peace and Dylan Mathews; brother, John P. Trohatos; nephews, Peter J. Trohatos and Andrew Trohatos; sister-in-laws, Phyllis (Deno) Davell and Tina (Morrey) Prayzer; Godchildren, Angel Beets and Costa Mamais; koumbari, the Spyrou and Nicholas families; and numerous cherished nephews, cousins and friends. 

 A visitation will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, Aug 3rd, 2024, at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 500 Belmont Park N. Dayton, OH 45405, with a funeral service to follow at 2:00 pm, Fr. Anthony Cook officiating. Burial at Woodland Cemetery immediately following the funeral. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Choir, or the Dr, James S. Tweddell Traveling Surgical Fellowship https://chss.org/Traveling-Surgical-Fellowship/ . Connie’s family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Zachary Townsend, Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton for their incredible care and compassion and also Claire Greene for her generous harp therapy.