John Stengel
January 19, 1921 — September 12, 2009
John Nickolas Stengel, 88, of West Lafayette died 9:10pm Saturday, September 12, 2009 at the Indiana Veteran's Home.
Born on January 19, 1921 in Chicago, IL, he was the son of the late Nickolas
and Teresa Wener Stengel. He was raised and educated in Chicago. He
graduated from Lane Tech H.S. and attended the University of Chicago. On September 1, 1946 he married Barbara (Bette) Nent and she survives.
In Chicago he was an active member of the Grace Baptist Church and
chaired the building committee for the new First Baptist Church of Norridge.
He sang in the choir and was Superintendent of the Sunday school. John
was versed in the Bible and read other spiritual literature, always a seeker of
truth. He saw the good in every man.
From 1943-1945 he served in the Army Air Force during WWII as a Navigator.
He flew 40 missions and received the Asiatic-Pacific theater ribbon and three
Bronze Stars.
In 1969 he moved his family to Boulder, Colorado where he worked as a
meat cutter. They lived there for the next 34 years. He enjoyed the outdoors, hiking, bird watching, gardening, astronomy, classical music and reading. He also enjoyed woodworking and made many beautiful furniture pieces for the home.
In 2001 he suffered his second major stroke which left him wheelchair bound.
His faith and good humor continued to be an inspiration to his family.
In 2003 he and his wife moved to West Lafayette, Indiana to be near their younger daughter, Adrienne (husband, Alan). She preceded him in death following a long battle with breast cancer. In West Lafayette he joined the First United Methodist Church where enjoyed the fellowship of new friends.
Surviving with his wife are his eldest daughter, Susan R. Stengel of New York, NY and his son, Nicholas P. Stengel (wife Susan C.) of Derwood, MD and granddaughter, Erica Sawers (husband, Mark) of Fairfield, CT., two step-grandchildren and one step great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by a brother, Mathew (wife, Jean).
Funeral services will be held at First United Methodist Church, 1700 St. Rd 26 West, West Lafayette 11:00 AM Friday, Rev. Daniel Berger officiating, with interment to follow at Grand View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Habitat for Humanity. Memories and condolences may be left at www.hahngroeberfuneralhome.com HAHN-GROEBER FUNERAL HOME is caring for the family.