John Carl Stechman

John Carl Stechman, 51, passed away after having struggled with a protracted illness Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012, at a San Luis Obispo hospital. John, who was born in Woodland, Calif., in 1960, and his son were visiting here for the holidays from Des Moines, Iowa, where they have lived since 1999. John was raised in San Luis Obispo from childhood, graduated from San Luis Obispo High School in 1978 with honors in FFA and attended Cal Poly and Cuesta College. He was successfully employed in restaurant, insurance, bonding and construction businesses in California, Hawaii and Iowa. In 1993, John married Sara Sulentic of Iowa. The following year, she gave birth to their son, John Peter. Peter, as he is known, was the "apple of his father''s eye" and best friends with his dad. Peter will attend college in California later this year. John generated a wealth of close friends and will be remembered for his personable nature and sense of humor. John was preceded in death (1981) by his sister Laurie; and is survived by his parents, John Vance and Dottie Jean; and Laurie''s twin sister, Jennifer Jean. Memorial services have been held. Contributions may be made in John''s memory to the John Peter Stechman College Fund by contacting Sesloc Federal Credit Union in San Luis Obispo.