Dayle E. Stamper October 21, 1926 – April 26, 2010
Doyle E. Stamper was born October 21, 1926 in Creston, Iowa to Grant Albert Stamper and Mildred Pearl (Keller) Stamper. He passed away peacefully April 26, 2010 at 5:37 p.m. in Clearview Home in Mount Ayr with his loving wife and family at his bedside after many years of suffering with severe back pain. Doyle was a tall man who always stood straight and tall. He was a perfectionist.
Doyle graduated from Diagonal high school in May 1944. Then on February 13, 1945 he was inducted into the U.S. Army. He was proud to serve his country. He was trained as a light artillery gunner and in the use of gas masks and flame throwers. He served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater in Manila in the Philippines. While in the Philippines he helped destroy Japanese military planes and land mines. He also served as a military policeman in camp. He returned to the States on October 8, 1946 and was honorably discharged from the army on November 28, 1946. Decorations Doyle received during his military service were: The Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, The Good Conduct Medal, The World War II Victory Medal and The Army Of Occupation Medal.
On June 17, 1962 Doyle was united in marriage to Florence Louise Faris at the Wishard Chapel Church north of Mount Ayr and they were privileged to celebrate nearly 48 years of a very loving companionship.
Doyle was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Creston, the American Legion and the First Christian (Disciples of Christ) Church. He was a member of the Methodist Church of Diagonal and then he was baptized at First Christian Church in Mount Ayr April 25, 1965 along with his wife, Louise. He was very soft-spoken, quiet and reserved but loved to spend time with family and friends. He especially enjoyed entertaining children and is very fondly remembered by his daughters, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He could whistle beautifully and many times was able to call birds to his side. Doyle was a natural born mechanic and enjoyed working at Mount Ayr Implement and Motor Company for 26 years working on Allis Chalmers tractors and implements and Pontiac cars which were his favorite make of cars. He believed that it was necessary to take motors apart and repair them instead of replacing the parts with a new one as it was less costly for the patron. He had many Pontiac owners who would not allow anyone else to work on their car. He could work all day on machinery or cars and seldom ever would he have grease on his clothes.
After the Mount Ayr Implement closed, he became the custodian at the Ringgold county courthouse. He was custodian for 13 years, retiring in October 1998. He was very proud of the courthouse and kept it spotless. The floors glistened and the furniture was always polished. He was equally proud of the lawn and outside appearance. Many have said ‘he manicures the lawn’ and it always appeared that way. Doyle also served as custodian of the First Christian (Disciples of Christ) Church for several years after the new church was built. He was equally as proud of the appearance of the church. Doyle loved fishing and hunting pheasants.
Doyle is survived by his loving wife, Louise; daughter, Sonjia Elaine (Rodney) Clay of Horton, Kansas; daughter, Marcia Denise (Brant) Snook of Fort Collins, Colorado; granddaughter, Nicole Clay of Holton, Kansas; grandsons, Adam Clay of Horton, Kansas and Christopher and Donovan Snook of Fort Collins, Colorado; sister, Guelda Barker of Mount Ayr, Iowa; brothers, Donald Stamper of Mount Ayr, Iowa and Phillip (Mary) Stamper of Colorado Springs, Colorado; sister-in-law, Lucille (Ronald) Deemer of Davis City, Iowa; brothers-in-law, Jim (Katie) Faris of Lancaster, California, Lee Faris of Mount Ayr, Iowa and Lyle (Betty) Faris of Mount Ayr, Iowa, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Doyle was preceded in death by his mother and father; brother-in-law, Marshall Barker; sister-in-law, Gloria Stamper; parents-in-law, Wilbur and Eva Faris, and sister-in-law, Martha Faris.
A memorial fund has been established to the First Christian Church in Mount Ayr. Arrangements were handled by Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr.
Services were conducted at the First Christian Church in Mount Ayr on Saturday, May 1, 2010, with Rev. Chris Conklin officiating. Musicians were Ginny Eighmy and John Allen.
Casket bearers included Jerry Barker, Bruce Stamper, Rodney Faris, Shawn Byrd, Larry Opfer and David Deemer.
Honorary pallbearers were Jim Knedler, Jim Grant, Russell Stewart, Russell Davenport, Lowell Hickman, Dick Simpson and Joe Routh.
Doyle was laid at rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr.
