Wallace Penrose “Wally” Stembler, Jr., 91, of Kingsville, Texas and formerly of East Palatka, passed from this life on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 following an extended illness. A native of East Rockaway, New York, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard in 1943 at the age of 18 and served during World War II and the Korean War and retired from the Coast Guard in 1963 as a Chief Warrant Officer. Following his retirement from the Coast Guard, Wally served as a manager in International Marketing in the communication systems industry and with Collins Radio, a division of Rockwell International that provided radio and satellite communications to America’s space shuttle programs. In November 1983, Wally retired and he and his wife Virginia moved to Putnam County where they became members of the First Presbyterian Church in Palatka. Wally was not only very active in service to the ministries of “First Pres” as he often referred to his church family, but also applied his caring and loving spirit to numerous other organizations in the community.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Wallace Penrose Stembler, Sr. and Winifred Amelia Smith Stembler, his beloved wife of 68 years, Virginia Rennie Stembler, a sister, Joan Mantell and a brother, Robert Stembler.
“Wally” is survived by 2 sons, Paul Stembler and wife Mary Anne Ebert of Minneapolis, MN and Father James Stembler of Kingsville, TX, a daughter, Susan Johnson and husband Tom of Allen, TX, a granddaughter, Carla Bost and husband Larry of Allen, TX and 2 great-grandchildren, Andree Bost and Blake Bost.
Memorial services celebrating Wally’s life will be at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at the First Presbyterian Church in Palatka with Rev. George Head and Father James Stembler officiating. The U.S. Coast Guard will also bestow military honors.
In lieu of flowers, it was Wally’s wishes that memorial donations be sent to the Putnam Coalition of Care, P.O. Box 1142, Palatka, FL 32178-1142.
Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Wally’s Book of Memories page at www.JohnsonOverturffunerals.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.