William C Stemm

William C. “Bill” Stemm, 82 of Elkhart, passed away, Jan. 18, 2015 with his daughters at his side. He was born July 21, 1932 in Elkhart to William H. and Florence P. (Gardner) Stemm.

Surviving are 4 daughters, Tami J. Stemm Lakes and Karen L. (Mario) Ponciano) both of Elkhart, Cynthia K. (Don) Turner of Newport, TN and Jennifer A. (Larry) Melton of Morristown, TN; 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Thomas D. Stemm.

Bill graduated from Elkhart High School in 1950 and Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Chicago. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1950 to 1954 in Germany.

Bill retired as a funeral director and President of Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home after 38 years, founded by his parents, William H. and Florence Stemm. He was a member of the American Legion #143, DAV# 19, VFW# 88, Cass County Conservation Club, was past president of the Elkhart Jaycees and Elkhart Evening Optimist Club; Edwardsburg Snowmobile Club and Michigan and Indiana Snowmobile Assoc. He was also founder and past president of the Upper St. Joe River Assoc. and a founding member of T.A.S.K.

Visitation for Bill will be from 4-8 pm Tuesday, at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, where services will be held at 1 pm Wednesday. Military honors will be rendered by the U.S. Air Force and the DAV# 19.

Memorials may be given to Lifeline or the Wounded Warrior Project. Online condolences may be sent to www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com.