Michael Edward Stergar

Michael Edward Stergar, age 66, died at his home in Lebanon, Indiana, on September 20, 2026, surrounded by his wife and children. Born in Indianapolis on December 1, 1959, he was the son of Edward Wilford and Dorothy Grace (Marley) Stergar.

A former resident of Fountaintown in Shelby County, Michael graduated in 1978 from Morristown Junior-Senior High School, where he earned numerous academic recognitions, including the DAR Good Citizen Award and membership in National Honor Society. In 1983, he earned an associate’s degree in Electronics Engineering Technology from ITT Technical Institute, where he was named Honor Graduate by the ITT faculty.

On December 28, 1990, Michael married Julie Ann Clay, who survives him, and the couple celebrated thirty-five years of marriage in 2025. He is also survived by his son, Christopher Clay (Lauryn Adonna Perkins) of Apollo Beach, Florida; three daughters, Alicia (husband, Matt) Chastain of Plainfield, Katherine (fiancée, Doug Lamar) Stergar of Noblesville, and Rebekah Stergar (Zach Barnett) of Indianapolis; four grandchildren, Dylan South, Mariah Chastain, Brayton Chastain, and Kolton Chastain; his brother, Edward L. Stergar of Indianapolis, and sister, Susan M. (husband, Dave) Sheets of Shelbyville; his brother-in-law, Don (wife, Lisa) of Wimauma, Florida; and his two sisters-in-law, Marsha McNeely of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Erin March of Austin, Texas. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister-in-law, Candy Stergar; and his brother-in-law, Steve March.

Michael’s career was one of his greatest passions, and he counted both his former and current colleagues from RCA (1984-1987), EAR Specialty Composites (1987-1993), Thomson Electronics (1993-2006), and 3M (2006-2026) among his friends. He received numerous recognitions, including a recent promotion, for his work-related achievements.

Michael had been a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Indianapolis, where he served on the Parish Finance Committee, since 2014. In addition, he was a former member of St. Monica Catholic Church and Holy Trinity Catholic Church, which was founded by Slovenian immigrants, including his paternal grandparents. He was also a member of the Slovenian National Home in Haughville and a longtime volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul. Among his many acts of selflessness was serving as a caregiver of his mother, along with an aunt and uncle, from 2013-2023.

A ham radio enthusiast with the callsign _N9SPV, Michael was a frequent attendee of state and regional Hamfests. He counted fishing among his favorite sports and the former West Side Bait and Tackle among his favorite places to visit. His wife Julie is now charged with the task of distributing a plethora of fishing magazines, fishing videos, fishing poles, and fishing tackle to his fellow anglers. Just like his father and brother, he considered the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to be hallowed ground, and for sixty years, he could be found in the top row of Grandstand G for the Indianapolis 500.

At 1:30 pm on October 7, 2026, a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Very Reverend John McCaslin and Reverend Juan Jose Valdes at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 377 N. Warman Avenue, Indianapolis. Visitation will be held at the church for Ninety Minutes prior to the Mass, beginning at 12:00 pm. Michael requested that in lieu of sending flowers, friends and family members consider scheduling a cancer screening of their choice.