James L. Stamberger

LaMOILLE – James Leroy Stamberger of rural LaMoille died Monday, Feb. 6, 2012, at Mendota Community Hospital.

He was born Aug. 12, 1937, to Arthur and Hazel (Kasbeer) Stamberger at the family farm in rural Ohio. He was baptized on Jan. 30, 1938, and confirmed on March 18, 1951, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Clarion Township, near LaMoille. He was raised on the family farm 2 miles east of LaMoille, and attended Merriott Country School through eighth grade.

He graduated from LaMoille Community High School in 1955. Following his education, Jim enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1955. During his service, he was stationed at Camp Pendleton in California. After 2 years of service, he was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant and returned home to begin his lifelong occupation of farming on the centennial family farm. He also carried on the trucking business of his father. On May 3, 1959, Jim was united in marriage to Annette Stuepfert at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Jim was a lifelong member of his church. He served on the church council and was Sunday school superintendent. He held a passion for farming and serving as a steward of the soil. He especially enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren, and attending their activities. He liked to travel in their motor home and spend time in Arizona in the winter. Some of his other hobbies were dancing, playing cards and restoring old tractors.

Jim is lovingly remembered by his wife, Annette; children, Bryan (Lori) Cook of Naples, Fla., Jeannette (Martin) Rod of Amboy, Timothy (Susan) Stamberger of LaMoille, Renee (Mike) Duffield of Ohio and Beth (Mark) Mumme of Hardwick, Minn.; grandchildren, Jennifer (Rob) Michalczak, Jason Markle and LaMorris Cook, Kevin (Shelly) Rod, Emilie (Steven) Davies, Paul, Ryan, Audrey and Henry Rod, Lorraine, Meredith, Alan and Thomas Stamberger, Erin, Amber and Andrew Duffield, and Melinda, Cora, Emma and William Mumme; sister, Carolyn (Ray) Motter; and sisters-in-law, Charlene Stamberger and Barbara Stuepfert.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Lester; and brother-in-law, Alan.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Merritt Funeral Home in Mendota. The service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Zion Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Mark Mumme officiating. Burial, with military honors by Mendota Veterans of Foreign Wars Council 4079, will be at Clarion Lutheran Cemetery.