Plankowner
Posts: 5024
Location: Gulfport, MS | Subject: Wednesday Obits
STEMRICH, Patrick J., 90, of rural Stillwater, (Benton Twp.), died early Tuesday morning, Aug. 28, 2018, in Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. Born Nov. 2, 1927, in Mountain Top, he was a son of the late John and Sadie Devitt Stemrich. Mr. Stemrich attended the Fairview School in Mountain Top and then graduated from Hanover High School in Hanover Twp., Luzerne County. He joined the US Navy at age 17 and faithfully served his country for 27 years, retiring as a lieutenant commander in 1967. He was a submarine navigator, and his submarine escorted the first nuclear submarine. He was the navigator aboard the the submarine USS Bucana (SS-319). On Sept. 7, 1963, he was in the commissioning crew, and became a plankowner, of the USS Holland. He loved his life in the Navy and spoke often of the many beautiful countries and cultures that he had experienced. Following his retirement from the Navy, he was employed for 10 years by the Department of Labor and Industry for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Patrick and his family also founded and operated Whispering Pines Campground for more than 40 years. Mr. Stemrich was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Benton. He was also an active member of many social organizations over his lifetime, including the American Legion, the Benton Veterans of Foreign Wars as well as a life member of the Berwick Elks Lodge. His hobbies included working on projects, mowing lawn and spending time on his tractor. Surviving are his four children, Crystal Yanko, Homosassa, Fla.; Mary Jo Stemrich, Bloomsburg; Cheryl Kile-Stemrich, Lebanon; and Melanie A. Stemrich, Stillwater; a sister, Gloria Cheeseman, Yardley. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, Andrew King, Ashley Gensel, Michael Gensel, Nickolas Kile, Kathleen Miller and her husband, Max Miller, all of Pennsylvania; and Michele and Delaney Stemrich, of Yulee, Fla.; a great-grandson, Emerson Miller, of Pennsylvania; and many nieces and nephews, who were dear to Patrick's heart; a daughter-in-law, Virginia "Dee" Stemrich, Yulee, Fla. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Patrick J. "Ricky" Stemrich, on Aug. 13, 2000, and by the following siblings: brothers, Thomas, John Jr., Robert, James, Raymond, Carl and Donald Stemrich; sisters, Madelyn Grimsley, Sadie (Tina) Cavanaugh; and by a cousin, James Devitt. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Saturday in Christ the King Catholic Church, 300 Mendenhall Lane, Benton, with Father Richard J. Mowery as celebrant. Burial, with full military honors, will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery. A viewing will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at McMichael Funeral Home Inc., 4394 Red Rock Road, Benton (State Route 487). In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made, in his memory, to Christ the King Catholic Church, P.O. Box 297, Benton, PA 17814. To submit condolences or for information, please visit www.mcmichaelfuneralhome.com. Published in Citizens' Voice on Aug. 29, 2018
|
Wednesday Obits
