Obit: Stoffel, William (1863 - 1943)

Contact: Crystal Wendt
Email:  crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Stoffel, Frantz, Biter, Longenecker

----Sources: The Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 17 June 1943

Stoffel, William (26 Feb. 1863 - 12 June 1943)

William Stoffel answered the final summons early last Saturday morning, June 12, 1943. In frail health the last few years but apparently suffering little physical discomfort, it was with great surprise that Rudolph Frantz found upon going to his room to call him about 7:30 that Mr. Stoffel had passed on, apparently while in tranquil sleep. The coverlets weren’t disturbed and he was lying on his back with arms crossed over his breast. He died as he had lived, peacefully and quietly.

Mr. Stoffel was born in New Holstein, Wis., February 16, 1863. He came to Neillsville when a young man and engaged in the lumbering industry. He was very active on the log drives on Black River, driving logs from Medford to Black River Falls for some years.

He was married to Miss Belle Biter here in 1895. They took up housekeeping on his farm in the town of Levis, continuing there until 1905 when he purchased the Joseph Biter farm in the town of Pine Valley. This farm he continued to own at the time of his death. There they resided until 1923, when they decided to retire from farm duties and he purchased and moved to a home on Fourth Street. Here Mrs. Stoffel passed away on May 2, 1936.

Mr. Stoffel could never be persuaded to sell this home, yet he was not contented to live there after his wife’s death. He spent much time between the homes of his married sons, Glen of Altoona, and Clayton of Baltimore, Md.

Two years ago, homesick for his old home surroundings, he returned here and took up residence with the Rudolph Frantz family. With these old friends and among his old associates, he ended his days.

Deceased is survived by three sons, Glen of Altoona, Wis., Hugh (unmarried) in the U. S. Army, now stationed at Tallahassee, Fla., and Clayton of Baltimore, Md.; by three grandchildren, Jeannette, Glen’s daughter, and William and Robert, Clayton’s sons. The children were all here for the funeral which was held on Wednesday afternoon at the Terhune Funeral Home, with Rev. G. W. Longenecker officiating. Interment was in the Neillsville Cemetery.

Mr. Stoffel was a conscientious God-fearing man, a devoted husband and father, an esteemed neighbor and friend to all who knew him.