STAN INGRAHAM

STAN INGRAHAM ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Berry-McGreevey-Martens Funeral Home & Cremation Service on Mar. 12, 2026.Stan Ingraham age 82, beloved husband of Marlene (nee Mater); father of Mark James Ingraham (Tina); grandfather of Aaron and Sage; son of the late Don and Corinne Ingraham (nee Oscar); brother of Louise Garfoot, and Roger Ingraham (Judy); uncle of the late Wayne Garfoot (Bonnie), Glenn Garfoot (Tammy), Brian Ingraham (Robin), Brad Ingraham (Beth) and great-uncle to many.Ask anyone who ever worked in the sewing industry about Stan Ingraham and they would say he was a sales and marketing icon, a pioneer who helped move the home sewing industry forward. If you asked Stan, he would simply say, "I sold sewing machines". In fact, he claimed he had sold more machines than anyone in the world, and he was probably right.After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Stan spent a couple years finding a role which suited him well. In 1970, he started work with the Singer Co., at their retail store in downtown Madison, Wisconsin. He then managed a full-line store at a nearby mall, and subsequently took over as District Manager, where he covered three states (WI, MN, IL). It was during these years he promoted women to store managers, an idea that was relatively new to the industry. He also began his decades-long driving achievement, which he estimated at 5 million miles. Before cell phones. With gas station phone booths. In states that suffered freezing and snow all winter. He was Wisconsin tough and proud!In 1979 he began working for what would eventually become VSM Sewing, Inc., a 30-year odyssey of travel and sales, career highs and an immersion in the sewing industry, all of which he thoroughly enjoyed. Along with his sales managers, home office team and executive colleagues, he led sales growth from $42M in annual sales to more than $80M by 2005, when he became President of Husqvarna Viking Dealer Sales. He knew most of the 1200 retail sewing machine dealers personally, and was always interested in their success and growth. He retired in 2009.Not content to sit at home, he began to work with son Mark and wife Marlene at MS. Productions, Inc., producing Original Sewing and Quilt Expo events across the country. Those years were precious, as he continued to assume his role in the sewing industry, and with all the people who made it so special. It was a particular joy to be working with his son.To those who knew him well, he was a pretty quiet guy with a huge presence. A seasoned traveler, he loved taking his family on adventures, planning the perfect itinerary with live music, exquisite meals and great sightseeing. He loved original (Dixieland) jazz, and of all the places he traveled, New Orleans was a perennial favorite. He loved vanilla bean ice cream, lilacs in the spring, cherry pie, a USDA prime steak from Iowa beef, and sitting on the deck in his favorite chair every day he could. Stan owned over forty cars and one of his favorite adventures was driving on the Power Tour in his 1964 Pontiac Tempest with Mark.Stan loved his wife, son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren fiercely, and with unwavering support. He shared many wise words and inside jokes with them, often delivered with a quick wink, which always brought a smile and a laugh. He is greatly missed, not only for his expert grilling skills and magnetic parking spot locator, but for his wisdom, bear hugs, humor and his loving heart.FUNERAL SERVICE SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2026 AT 12 NOON AT THE BERRY-McGREEVEY-MARTENS FUNERAL HOME, 26691 DETROIT RD. WESTLAKE, OH 44145. Private interment Lakewood Park Cemetery. FRIENDS RECEIVED AT THE FUNERAL HOME FROM 10:30 UNTIL 1 P.M SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2026.www.BerryMcGreevey.comBerry-McGreevey-Martens Funeral Home and Cremation Service26691 Detroit Road, Westlake, OH 44145440-617-1911To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.