Herbert C. Stemler

1926 - 2017

Herbert Stemler

Herbert Christian Stemler, 90, of Millstadt, Ill., born October 16, 1926 in Columbia, Ill., passed away on April 1, 2017.

Herb was a lifelong area farmer, and had carried on the family tradition of an egg and vegetable route in south St. Louis into the 1980's. He was a member St. Paul United Church of Christ, Columbia, Ill., American Legion Post 581, and the St. Clair County Farm Bureau. He had served in the U.S. Army and was a Veteran of the Korean War. Herb's favorite pastimes were following Cardinal baseball and gardening.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marlyn, nee Ritter, Stemler, whom he married on May 27, 1951 in Columbia, Ill., who passed away February 7, 2017; his parents, George and Elsie, nee Reichert, Stemler; his brother, Homer Stemler; and brothers in infancy, Harlan and Albert Stemler.

Surviving are his daughters, Donna (Doug) Tolbird of San Antonio, Texas, Judy (Kenny) Ostendorf of Addieville, Ill., and Mary Lou (Ray) Clyde of Columbia, Ill.; grandchildren, Aaron Wilhelm, Andrew and Brandon Ostendorf, Matt and Chris Clyde; brother, Harold (Rosalie) Stemler of Columbia, Ill.; sisters, Helen Wilde of Waterloo, Ill., Helma Kleinschmidt of Columbia, Ill., and Hilma (Sylvester) Kleinschmidt of Millstadt, Ill.; along with other relatives and friends.

As an expression of sympathy, the family prefers memorial contributions to St. Paul United Church of Christ 127 N. St. Paul Columbia, Ill. 62236, or, American Legion Post 581, 375 East Locust, Columbia, Ill., 62236. For more information, please access our website, www.lawlorfuneralhome.com.

Visitation: Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, 2017, at Lawlor Funeral Home, Columbia, Ill.

Services: Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday April 6, at St. Paul United Church of Christ, Columbia, Ill., with Pastor Bob Goddard, officiating. Interment will follow in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Mo.

LAWLOR FUNERAL HOME, Columbia, Ill.