Harold C. Stemler's Obituary
Harold C. Stemler, 93 years, of Columbia, IL, passed away on April 3, 2018 at St. Anthony's Hospital, St. Louis, MO. He was born August 15, 1924, in Millstadt, IL, son of the late George and Elsie, nee Reichert, Stemler. He was married to Rosalie, nee Herrmann, Stemler, who survives him. They were married May 8, 1954, in Columbia, IL.
Harold was a member of American Legion Post 581, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Knights of Coumbus Council #6165, Columbia Sportsmans Club, and Steelworkers Local #4294, Cahokia, IL. Harold had served in the U.S. Army Air Corps and was a Veteran of WW II. He had retired from CerroFlow, Sauget, IL, with over 41 years of service. Harold was an avid gardener, fisherman, and hunter.
Also, surviving are four sons, Dave (Linda) Stemler of Columbia, IL, Rick (Susan) Stemler of Columbia, IL, Brian (Joan) Stemler of Columbia, IL, and Chris (Priya) Stemler of Grand Rapids, MI; daughter, Barb (Mike) Kovarik of Columbia, IL; eight grandchildren, Jeremy Stemler, Miranda (Jeremy) Brown, Brad (Leena) Stemler, Lance (Amanda) Stemler, Jessica (Dan) Barcik, Jon (Dana) Kovarik, Katie (Aaron) Esker, and Nick Kovarik; eight great-grandchildren, three sisters, Helen Wilde of Waterloo, IL, Helma Kleinschmidt of Columbia, IL, and Hilma (Sylvester) Kleinschmidt of Millstadt, IL, along with other relatives and friends.
He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Herbert Stemler and Homer Stemler, along with two brothers-in-infancy, Herlan and Albert Stemler.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 8, 2018, 3 pm - 7 pm, at Lawlor Funeral Home, Columbia, IL. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, April 9, at 10:00 am, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Columbia, IL, with Fr. Carl Scherrer, officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to: Immaculate Conception Education and Activities Center Building Fund, 411 Palmer Road, Columbia, IL, 62236, or Masses. For more information, please access our website, www.leesmanfuneralhome.com.
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