E. Ray Stuempfle

E. Ray Stuempfle, age 83, 205 Edgar Avenue, Bloomsburg died at 11:40 a. m. Sunday, January 17, 2010 at Balanced Care At Bloomsburg, a health care facility near Lightstreet, where he was a patient for 1 ½ years.

Born in Williampsort on August 13, 1926, he was a son of the late Otto F. and Ana (Faas) Stuempfle. He resided in Bloomsburg since 1973.

Ray was a 1944 graduate of Williamsport High School and of Bucknell University in 1950.

He was employed by the Social Security Administration for 27 years, retiring in January 1983. He began his career in the Williamsport office as a field representative in 1956 and was transferred to Bloomsburg in 1972 where became the manager.

Ray was a faithful member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Bloomsburg, where he sang in the choir for many years. He also sang in the Bloomsburg Bi-Centenial Choir.

He was a member of the Social Security Management, Association; Bloomsburg Hospital Auxiliary; and volunteered at the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble. He also served on the Advisory Board of the Columbia-Montour Area Agency on Aging and the North East Regional Aging Council. He was a member of the AARP and served as a delegate to the AARP Convention in St. Louis in 1984.

Ray served with the US Army during World War II and the Korean War, receiving two Purple Hearts and a bronze star. He was a member of Valley of Bloomsburg Post 273, American Legion.

Surviving are his wife, the former Valdessa I Corson, with whom he would have celebrated his 60th wedding anniversary on January 29, 2010; a son, Rev. Richard R. Stuempfle, York; three daughters: Sharon I., wife of Steven Weaver, Brick, N.J.; Nancie R. Dinscher, Williamsport; Ellen L. Derr, Bloomsburg; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and two sisters: Helen Reno, Monticello, N.Y. and Peggy, wife of James Scott, Nesbit.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Otto F. Stuempfle, Jr.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2010 at 12 noon in St. John's Lutheran Church , 2575 Old Berwick Road, Bloomsburg, with his pastor, Rev. Gordon E. Smith officiating. Interment in Elan Memorial Park, Lime Ridge with full military honors by the combined VFW group.

The family will provide flowers. Memorials may be sent to the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, 226 Center Street, Bloomsburg, PA 17815.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Dean W. Kriner, Inc., Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 325 Market Street, Bloomsburg.