Patrick J. Stemrich

Patrick J. Stemrich, 90, of rural Stillwater, (Benton Township), died early Tuesday morning, August 28th, 2018 at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.

Born November 2, 1927 in Mountaintop, he was a son of the late John and Sadie (Devitt) Stemrich. 

Mr. Stemrich attended the Fairview School in Mountaintop and then graduated from Hanover High School in Hanover Township, Luzerne County.

He joined the U. S. Navy at age 17 and faithfully served his country for 27 years, retiring as a Lieutenant Commander in 1967.  He was a submarine navigator and his submarine escorted the first nuclear submarine.  He was the navigator for the "The Bucana" submarine. On September 7, 1963, he was at the commissioning and became a plank owner of the USS Holland.    He loved his life in the Navy and spoke often of the many beautiful countries and cultures that he had experienced.

Following his retirement from the U. S. Navy, he was employed for 10 years by the Department of Labor and Industry for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  Patrick and his family also founded and operated Whispering Pines Campground for more than 40 years.  

Mr. Stemrich was a member of Christ The King Catholic Church in Benton.  He was also an active member of many social organizations over his lifetime including the American Legion, the Benton V. F. W. as well as a life member of the Berwick Elks Lodge.

His hobbies included work projects, mowing lawn and spending time on his tractor.

Surviving are his four children:  Crystal Yanko, of Homosassa, Florida; Mary Jo Stemrich, of Bloomsburg; Cheryl Kile-Stemrich, of Lebanon and Melanie A. Stemrich, of Stillwater; a sister, Gloria Cheeseman, of Yardley.  Also surviving are seven grandchildren:  Andrew King, Ashley Gensel, Michael Gensel, Nickolas Kile, Kathleen Miller and her husband, Max Miller, all of Pennsylvania and Michele and Delaney Stemrich of Yulee, Florida; a great grandson, Emerson Miller, of Pennsylvania and many nieces and nephews whom were dear to Patrick's heart; a daughter-in-law, Virginia "Dee" Stemrich, of Yulee, Florida. 

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Patrick J. "Ricky" Stemrich on August 13, 2000 and by the following siblings:  brothers, Thomas, John Jr., Robert, James, Raymond, Carl and Donald Stemrich; Sisters:  Madelyn Grimsley, Sadie (Tina) Cavanaugh and by a cousin, James Devitt. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, September 1, 2018 at 9 A. M. at Christ The King Catholic Church, 300 Mendenhall Lane, Benton, with Father Richard J. Mowery, as Celebrant.  Burial, with full military honors, will be at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.  A viewing will be held Friday from 5 to 8 PM at the McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., 4394 Red Rock Road, Benton (S. R. 487).  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to Christ the King Catholic Church, P. O. Box 297, Benton, PA 17814.  For online condolences or for additional information, please visit: www.mcmichaelfuneralhome.com

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