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Walter John Stengel
Born: 10/3/1926
Died: 12/5/2020
Age: 94
Community: Gaines, MI
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Walter John Stengel died December 5, 2020 at age 94. Walter was born October 3, 1926, to Edward and Margaret Stengel very shortly after they came to the US. He often said “Made in Germany, Born in the United States of America.” He grew up in Flint along with his siblings Barbara, Norman, and Edith. In early 1945 at age 19, Walt joined the US Navy, and served working on diesel engines on several navy vessels. Many years later, he was escorted by his son John to a World War II veteran Honor Flight to Washington DC. He will be buried with military honors.
Walter was employed by General Motors beginning at a very young age. He worked at Chevy in the Hole Plant 2 Die Room becoming a Diemaker, and worked at Plant 38 Die & Engineering center through its transition into the computer age. He retired after 44 years.
Walter married Harriett Kelly Stengel on Valentines Day 1948. They had two sons, John and Bob. Every summer, Walt and Harriett would load up the car and take the kids on a 3-4 weeklong vacation eventually visiting all 48 states in the continental US. Part camping, part mom and pop motels, and lots of picnics, these travels gave the family amazing experiences and memories. After moving to Harriett’s family home on Softwater Lake in Argentine, Walt decided to get a small sailboat for their little lake to see if the family liked sailing. This started a lifelong family passion for sailing. Several sailboats later, in 1978, Walt and his family helped to start the Huron Yacht Club in Caseville Michigan which the family still enjoys today. He enjoyed home improvement projects and was an avid flower gardener. One of his lifelong passions was the playing the piano for his family and church. His wife Harriett passed away in 1996 after 47 happy years of marriage.
In 1998, Walt met Whanda Mace on a vacation to Bradenton, Florida, and in 1999 they were married. Whanda brought great joy into his life. Walter loved Whanda’s family and enjoyed many visits to Kentucky and Ohio spending time with her siblings, children, grandchildren, and families. Walt and Whanda lived as snowbirds a few years before settling in Florida full time where Walt was widely known for his piano playing. They travelled extensively, were very active in their senior community and in their beloved Bayshore Nazarene Church. In 2017, Walt and Whanda moved to Michigan to be closer to family.
Walter is survived by his wife, Whanda Stengel, his son John Stengel and wife Diane, his grandchildren Aaron (Tara) Stengel, Christopher Stengel, Sarah (Marc) Skutt, and Sara Vogel (Chad James), and his great-grandchildren Soren Stengel, Sydney and Katie Stengel, Carissa, Quentin, Meadow, and Avery Skutt, and Hailey and Colton James. He is also survived by his stepchildren Jolene (Mike) Smith, Rob Wolfe, and Todd (Tina) Wolfe and their families.
Walter died on December 5, 2020 going home to his Lord and Savior. He has been cremated. A private memorial and interment will take place later this month. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice. Arrangements provided by Sharp Funeral Homes, Linden Chapel, 209 E. Broad Street. Linden. Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com |
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12/6/2020 |
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