Stanley “Sonny” Elston, 80, of Cross Plains passed away Monday, December 8, 2025 at the Kings Daughters Hospital in Madison. He was born at the Whitlatch Clinic in Milan on November 4, 1945, the son of Freddie and Lela Hankins Elston. He was married to Linda Swinney at the New Marion Baptist Church on September 21, 1968 and his wife of 57 years survives. Other survivors include two sons Scott (Lori) Elston of Cross Plains and Clifton (Kellie) Elston of Batesville; six grandchildren Wyatt (Lindsay) Elston, of Versailles, Brook Elston of Cross Plains, Amber Elston of Charleston, South Carolina, and Quinton, Jackson, and Gabrielle Elston all of Batesville; two great-grandchildren Hank and Roscoe Elston; also his nephew Tom (Maria) Reuter of Holton. He was preceded in death by his daughter April Lynn, his parents, and his sisters Charlotte Reuter and Ardena Ann Elston, and his brother-in-law Lloyd Reuter. Mr. Elston was a 1964 graduate of Cross Plains High School and was a 40-year employee of Reliance Electric in Madison. He was a member of the former Cross Plains Baptist Church and is a member of the The Well Community Church in Cross Plains. Sonny enjoyed walking, spending time with his grandchildren, coon hunting, bird hunting, farming, and was an avid IU fan. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 13 at 10:30 a.m. at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles with Rev. Jerry Vandervort officiating. Burial will be in the Grandview Memorial Garden at Madison. Visitation will be on Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Memorials may be given to the Cross Plains Baptist Cemetery in care of the funeral home.