EDWARD “BOOTS” WILLIAM STADLER, OZARK, MO born 2/27/1931 in Aurora, IL passed into his heavenly home on June 20, 2022 at the age of 91 years. Father Edward William Stadler, mother Helen (Ingraham) Stadler.
Survived by wife Martha Stadler of the home; daughter Betsy Stadler Smith (Rodger) Conway, AR; son James “Jim” Huffman (Donna), Ozark, MO; daughter Brenda Huffman Johnson (Vernon) of Ava, MO; Grandchildren: David Smith, Benjamin Smith, Ryan Smith, Casey Huffman Dakin, Brad Huffman, Kristen Huffman Lewis, Lacey Turner Wallace, Caitlin Turner Kirker; 17 great-grand children and 7 great great grandchildren!
“Boots” as he was known to all his friends and relatives was a proud Navy veteran, serving from 1951 – 1955 on the USS Wisconsin and the USS Lloyd Thomas destroyer. He started his adult life working in 1949 for Equipto Manufacturing company in Aurora, IL returning to Equipto after being discharged from the Navy. Boots then took an early retirement to move to a farm in Ava, MO in 1972 where he met and married in 1974 the love of his life, Martha Huffman. In 1976 Boots was contacted by Equipto and asked to return to work in Dallas, TX where he assisted in opening their new plant. After retiring again in 1979 Boots and Martha returned to Missouri. He continued to be employed by things he enjoyed like office supply sales; nurseryman, helping with family building projects and landscaping services. Boots loved to play golf and worked as security at Millwood Golf and Raqcuet Club to earn more playing time. He was a member at Fremont Golf Club and played as often as possible.
Boots and Martha enjoyed traveling. They took several bus trips and cruises within the US and Hawaii but his favorite trip was being able to visit England and Scotland with a special experience of visiting the golf course at St. Andrews in Scotland. Boots had a special bond with little children. He loved playing in the floor with the grandkids. He also had a special knack for landscaping and nursery projects. He worked very hard at helping with most any remodeling or building project anyone who asked. Boots was a very special person whom will be missed greatly. He was a Christian and a member of the First Baptist Church in Ozark. Boots also loved attending online at Cross Point Church in Ava. In addition he was a member of the Masonic Lodge and was a Shriner.
The family wishes a special thank you to Seasons Hospice for taking such loving care of Boots in his final days.
Funeral services for “Boots” will be Friday, June 24, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. in the Clinkingbeard Chapel, Ava, MO with burial at the Ava Cemetery with full military honors by the Troy Herd American Legion Post 112 and U.S. Navy. Visitation will be Friday at 1:00 p.m. prior to the service. Officiating will be Pastor Ron Wallace. Memorials may be made to Seasons Hospice, Springfield, MO.
