W.G. Joe Stangel
(February 6, 1922 - February 20, 2008)
 

Munising

W.G. “Joe” Stangel, age 86, formerly of Washington Street, Munising, died on Wednesday morning, February 20, 2008 at the Tendercare Health Center in Munising. Joe was born on February 6, 1922 in Tisch Mills, Wisconsin to Joseph and Emily (Beranek) Stangel. Joe graduated from Manitowoc High School and then from the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Accounting – Go Badgers! Joe served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1940 until 1947. During WWII, he served with the 8th Army Air Corps in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater as a B-17 Bombardier and he was also on the Pistol Team. Joe married Elaine Florence Stenzel on February 24, 1945. He began his Kimberly Clark employment on June 16, 1947 as a Financial Understudy at the Kimberly Mill. In September 1949, he transferred to Neenah as a Junior Cost Accountant. He transferred to the Niagra Mill in February 1953 as a Cost Analyst. In December 1954, he transferred to the Munising Mill as a Cost Accountant. Joe was promoted to Office Supervisor in September 1955, the Office Superintendent in December 1958, to Financial Services Superintendent in December 1969. On June 15, 1974, he transferred to Neenah as Manager, Business Planning and Analysis Saturated Technical Specialties. On December 1, 1976, Joe transferred back to Munising as Manager of Financial Services the position he held until September 1, 1981 when he was appointed Manager, Business Analysis and Planning. Effective July 1, Joe then again assumed the responsibilities of Financial Service Manager, his position when he retired on October 1, 1985. Joe was a member of Sacred Heart Church, the Knights of Columbus, American Legion where he was also a Past-Commander and treasurer for many years. He was also very active with the 4th of July Committee. Joe spent many years coaching Little League and in his earlier years, played the organ at the church. Joe enjoyed playing the piano and Christmas was spent as a family around the piano. He and Elaine enjoyed spending time together and camping. Joe also enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He is survived by his wife of sixty-three years – Elaine Stangel of Munising; three sons – Jim “Ball” (Carol) Stangel of Munising, Dave (Nancy) Stangel of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Steve Stangel of Portage, Wisconsin; three grandchildren – Jen, Joey, and Jess; two great grandchildren – Garrett and Paige; nephew – Johnny; and nieces – Kathy, Mary, and Ann. Joe was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Woody Stangel.

Services for Joe will be held on Saturday, February 23, 2008. Visitation will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising from 10:00 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. with the American Legion Honor Guard conducting military honors at 11:00 a.m. Father Chris Gardiner will conduct a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday at 12:00 noon at Sacred Heart Church. Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising.

Submitted by Char Livermore