Eugene C. Stemmle, Jr., 83, of St. Leon, IN, passed away on Sunday, September 15, 2024. Originally from Louisville, KY, Gene grew up in Camp Taylor and graduated from St. Xavier High School before earning a business degree at Bellarmine University. He served seven years in the Army Reserve and worked as an accountant for Brown-Forman Distillery for 25 years.
Following the death of Gene’s first wife, Carol, of 44 years, he joined Catholic Singles and met Janet Barton. The two of them laugh at how they met, but they agree it worked and soon Gene moved to St. Leon. They loved to camp and traveled across the United States enjoying their downtime together. During their travels, Janet enjoyed reading while Gene pursued his hobby of making rosaries. Gene has made over 3,000 rosaries for Our Lady’s Rosary Makers in Louisville. The purpose of this group is to distribute rosaries to mission groups, so Gene would buy the necessary supplies, make rosaries, and send them back for distribution.
Gene will be deeply missed by wife, Janet, of 11 years; children Lisa (Paul Piper) Keith, William (Mary Kevin) Stemmle, Theresa (James Hammes) Hanavan, Charles (Colette) Fozard, Christina (Nicholas) Vantrease; step-son Ryan (Becky) Oliver and step-daughters Katy (Mark) Spears and Teri (Nick) Papania; grandchildren Shawn (Michaila) Luninvolk, Stephanie (David) Hagan, Erin (Randy) Farrington, Elizabeth (Steven Smith) Sinclair, Richard Bruce, Luke & Joe Oliver, and Evelyn Spears; brothers James (Patricia) and Dennis (Jane). He is preceded in death by his parents, Eugene & Evelyn Feldkamp Stemmle, his first wife, Carol Schaffer Stemmle, brother David (Eloise) Stemmle, and sister Julia (Rodrik) Rodriguez.
Services for Gene in Indiana will be held on Thursday, September 19 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in St. Peter’s. Rosary will begin at 9:00am, followed by visitation until the time of Mass at 11:00am. Family and friends are encouraged to leave condolences at www.andres-wuestefeldfh.com. Memorials can be made to Our Lady’s Rosary Makers and will be accepted at the visitation or can be mailed to Andres-Wuestefeld Funeral Home.
Services for Gene in Kentucky will be held on Friday, September 20 at Ratterman Embry Bosse Funeral Home on Preston Highway in Louisville. Visitation will be from 10:00am – 11:30am immediately followed by burial at the Evergreen Cemetery.