Paul C. Stemm, Jr.

Paul C. Stemm, Jr. 85, of Elkhart passed away on Friday, May 10, 2019 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Paul was born on July 1, 1933 in Elkhart to Paul C. and Flossie E. (VanTilburg) Stemm. He met his bride to be in the 8th grade and he married Delores “Dee” Mann on July 13, 1952 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Elkhart.

Paul graduated from Elkhart High School in 1951. He received his Bachelor in Education Degree at Indiana State Teachers College in Social Studies and Physical Education. He received his Masters Degree in 1964 from Indiana State and in 1972 he received his Masters in Administration at Indiana State University. During his senior year at Indiana State he was an assistant basketball coach under John Longfellow. He was a member of the Elkhart School Board for 17 years, Indiana School Board for 5 years where is was a Past President. He was formerly President of the Board at Bashor Children’s Home for two years and served 6 years on the board of directors. Paul retired as the Assistant Principal at Westside Middle School after 22 years of services, where he was also a teacher for 13 years, guidance counselor, and the Athletic Director for ten years. He was very involved in both Osolo and Cleveland Little League. He helped organize Jr. High School Athletic Conferences and Sectional for over 20 years.  Member of the Elkhart Lions for 20 years. He refereed all sports at the High School level. After his retirement, Paul worked for over 20 years at Tom Naquin’s in various capacities.  He was an avid Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears fan, but most of all he loved his family and enjoyed attending sporting events and many other activities of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Paul honorably served his country in the United States Marine Reserves. Paul was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend.

Paul is survived by his wife, Dee of Elkhart, their children, Michael (Lois) Stemm of Elkhart, Patrick (Marianne) Stemm of Ninevah, IN and Kathy Wingard of Elkhart, and six grandchildren, Matthew (Brooke) Stemm, Nathan (Jessica) Stemm, Joshua (Krystal) Dale, Chad Dale, Halie (Nick) Ebenroth, Ryan Wingard and fourteen great-grandchildren. Also surviving his brother, Charles A. (Jodie) Stemm and his sister, Sandra (Tom) Baylor, his brother-in-law William Mann all of Elkhart. Paul was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Sue Hoetger.

Friends may visit with family from 4-8 pm on Monday May 13, 2019 at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone, Blvd, Elkhart and one hour prior to funeral services at the church on Tuesday.  Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Tuesday May 14, 2019 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 405 West Beardsley Ave, Elkhart. Pastor Tom DeFries is officiating. Memorial donations in memory of Paul may be made to   St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 405 West Beardsley Ave, Elkhart, IN 46514 or Bashor Children’s Home, PO Box 843, Goshen, IN 46527-0843 or Harbor Light Hospice 1820 East Day Road, Mishawaka, IN 46545.  Online condolences may be made to the Stemm family on the funeral home website.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.