Lt Stadler
Age - 90
November 25, 2023
Lt. Col. (Ret. ) Louis J. "Lou" Stadler, resident, of Wynne, Arkansas, departed this life on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at St. Bernard's Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro, Arkansas surrounded by his loving family at the age of 90. Lou was born in Millville, New Jersey on March 25, 1933, the son of William A. and Martha (Loveland) Stadler.
Mr. Stadler was a 1950 graduate of Millville High School, and was in invited on a football scholarship to Arkansas State College where he earned a bachelor's degree in education in 1954. He married the former Claudette Owen on September 5, 1954, and in the spring of 1955, he entered active duty service in the United States Army. Lou proudly served 20 years in the Army as both a fixed-wing and helicopter pilot, serving two tours in the Vietnam War and 18 months stationed in Korea, among other foreign service. Throughout his travels while in the service, Lou took his family with him wherever he could, and spent as much time with them as possible. While abroad, Lou loved to learn about other cultures from locals. While stationed in Izmir, Turkey, he took night classes with instructors from the University of Arkansas, eventually earning a master's degree in business management. Lou was a member of the Vietnam Pilot's Association and American Legion.
Upon his return home, Lou worked various jobs, most recently serving 15 years as the manager of Cross County Rural Water Association prior to his retirement. Lou was a faithful parishioner of St. Peter's Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Lou served the church in many ways, including leading Rosary Service, carrying the Eucharist to the sick, and assisting in the prison ministry. In his spare time, Lou enjoyed maintaining a pristine lawn, watching sporting events, playing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, learning how things work and how they're made, and taking his 1968 Shelby GT500KR to many car shows.
Mr. Stadler was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Karl Mark Stadler; three brothers, Charles, William, and Harry Stadler; two sisters, Kay Polhamus and Hilda Stadler; and two infant siblings.
He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Claudette Stadler of the home; a son, Louis J. Stadler, Jr. and wife, Linda, of Jonesboro; three daughters, Hilda K. Phillips of Crawfordsville, Karla Ann McGarrity and husband, David, of West Memphis, and Heather Jones and husband, Donald, of Wynne; a daughter-in-law, Minhee Stadler of Washington DC; 14 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren with another on the way; two great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.
A Rosary Service will be conducted at 9:30 a. m. on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Wynne. Friends may visit at the church from 10:00 to 11:00 a. m. A Funeral Mass will begin at 11:00 a. m. with Fr. John Wakube and Fr. Arokiasamy Madhichetty Irudayaraj officiating. Committal services with military honors will follow at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery at Birdeye.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Peter's Catholic Church, P. O. Box 517, Wynne, AR 72396.
Arrangements by Thompson-Wilson Funeral Home of Wynne.Show more
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