JOHN W. STEM

1942 - 2015

STEM JOHN WILLIAM STEM February 3, 1942 ~ January 26, 2015 Mr. John William Stem, 72, of Ft. White, FL, passed away on Monday, January 26, 2015 at the Lake City Medical Center after a sudden illness. He was born on February 3, 1942 in Swampoodle, a neighborhood in Philadelphia, PA to the late George and Dorothy Batten Stem. He has lived in Ft. White for the past 15 years with his loving wife, Roberta Stem, moving here from southern Maryland, escaping the cold and snow. Being the animal lover that he is, John enjoyed riding their horses with Roberta. He proudly served his country in the Air Force and later became an inspector for the WSSC, retiring after 32 years. John was a member of the Moose Lodge, participating in their Ritual Team and was in charge of the children's activities, understanding and getting along well with the kids since John was always a kid at heart. He managed the kids bowling league that his daughter Dorinda bowled in, coaching and encouraging all of the kids in the league. He was also a member of the American Legion. John and Roberta enjoyed playing Bingo and dancing to the bands at the Moose. John was a passionate Washington Capitals hockey fan; he and Roberta had season tickets to the Capitals games where John was known for ringing his cowbell quite loudly. John was a baseball fan, going to several Baltimore Orioles and Chicago Cubs games with Roberta. John loved to fish, many times taking his daughter Dorinda on fishing trips with him. For about 20 years, John and his family would vacation at the Jersey Shore in Wildwood, enjoying fun times both on the boardwalk and the beach. Later he and Roberta began to travel via cruise ship to wonderful places like Alaska and the Caribbean. They also traveled to wonderful destinations like Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon and Disney World. John had a slight competitive streak, enjoying card games and board games with friends. John was an avid bowler; enjoyed being on bowling leagues with Roberta. John was also an avid restaurant goer, loving to eat out and anytime he gave you directions the landmarks were always restaurants. John knew and touched the lives of many people with his kind, loving and giving ways. He was always smiling and willing to lend a helping hand. He was preceded in death by two brothers, George and Bill Stem. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Roberta Stem of Ft. White; daughter, Dorinda Schmidtknecht (David) of Lorton, VA; brother, Joseph Stem (Peggy) of Philadelphia, PA; sisters, Theresa Banaszak (Steve) of Philadelphia, PA and Mary Beth McCormick (Ray) of Philadelphia, PA; nieces, Jennifer Stem, Kelly Squillace (Mike), Ashley Gartner (Mike), Brittany Banaszak and Marisa Tiller Flint (Keith); nephews, Robbie Tiller, III and Brian McCormick. One great-niece, Isabella Stem and two great-nephews, Nicholas and Jeremy Flint, also survive. Memorial services for Mr. Stem will be conducted on Saturday January 31, 2015 at 1 p.m. in the chapel of the Dees-Parrish Family Funeral Home with Pastor Ronald Walters officiating. Please share a great story or memory that you have about John in the online guestbook at: http://www.parrishfamilyfuneralhome.com/ fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=2934249& fh_id=10637. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in John's memory to his favorite charity; the Moose kids at: www.moosecharities.org/store/ wish/tribute.php.