Walter Stemm

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Walter Hans Stemm, age 76, passed away Thursday, January 14, 2021. He is now at rest awaiting the resurrection.

Walter was born June 7, 1944 in Erlangen, Germany. The son of the late Georg Schusster and Olga Howard.

Walter graduated from Richmond Hill High School, Queens, NY. Following graduation, he worked for an industrial lighting company and attended Aeronautics Academy in Flushing, New York. 

In 1964, he entered the United States Air Force, serving until 1969. His service time allowed him to travel as far away as Guam. He served as an electronics technician where his responsibilities included repair, maintenance and inspection of radar systems, specializing in Aircraft Doppler Radar Systems and Inertial Navigational Guidance Systems. Following his time in the service, Walter continued working with radios; becoming owner of West Comm LLC in 2014.

Walter was united in marriage to Janet Kay Bard in Joplin, MO, September 23, 1972.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years; three sons, Matthew and Amy, Joplin MO; Andrew and Rachel, Joplin MO; and Kristian and Vanessa, Tonawanda NY. Six grandsons: Samuel, Evan, Ryan, Weston, Jack, and Seth. He is also survived by an aunt, Charolette Dietrick and family, Graceville FL, and cousin, Herbert Schoenfelder and family, Erlangen, Germany.

Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday at Mason-Woodard Chapel. Pastor Barry Martin and Pastor Cody Harris will officiate. Burial will be in Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery. The pallbearers will be Matthew Stemm, Andrew Stemm, Samuel Stemm, Kristian Rutenkreger, Chuck Ingram, and Fred Fosdick.

The visitation will be 3-4 p.m. Sunday at Mason-Woodard Mortuary.

Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.