Stahley, John Vincent- With his devoted family at his side, John Stahley passed away peacefully on
January 26, 2023. John filled many roles in life as a Child of God, devoted loving husband, wonderful
Dad, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many. John was born on
November 10, 1923, in Raubsville, PA, to Herman and Emma Stahley. John's loving wife, Claire, of
75 years, passed away only 143 days prior on September 5, 2022. John is survived by his loving
children; daughter JoAnn and husband Julio, son Jack and wife Gail, daughter Carol and husband
Dave, daughter Nancy and husband Phillip. John loved his 9 grandchildren and 7 great
grandchildren; Tracy, Amy, Wendy, Geoffrey, Lindsay, Anthony, Juliann (deceased) Amber,
Amanda, Kyle, Merrick, Keara, Veronica, Moira, Gavin and Colin. John came from a large family of 7
brothers and sisters. He is survived by brothers Chuck and George, and sister Shirley. Deceased;
Brothers Dick, Ray, Bob and sister Beatrice.
After living through the great depression, John enlisted in the Army to serve in WWII. His military
career was in the European stage as a Technician 5 th grade in the 94 th Medical Gas Treatment
Battalion, Third Army, under General Patton. John was Awarded 4 bronze stars for Northern France,
Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe and a medal from France for Liberation. During John's 30
day leave home, the war ended. John met and married a pretty Cadet Army Nurse Claire Merrick.
They immediately settled in Easton PA, started a family and a business; Stahley, TV and Appliance; Furniture Store.
John was an active businessman in his community and was a member of many local civic clubs and
served as President of the Sales and Marketing Association. He was a member for 67 years of the
Free and Accepted Masons. During those years, John and Claire traveled the world visiting many
countries. In 1970, the family moved to sunny St. Petersburg, Florida, where John completed his
business career as a District Sales Manager with Motorola and Quasar.
John was an avid golfer with a membership at Harkers Hollow golf club in NJ and was a chairman of
several tournaments there. During retirement, John loved golfing with his wife Claire and working
as a "star" starter at the St. Petersburg Mangrove Bay Golf course. John had many hobbies besides
golf. He loved photography and was the family film taker. He made sure the family took trips to
the beach and loved to cruise in his boats when he had time. He even took up playing the banjo
because he loved country western music. John was a faithful Christian and raised his family in the
church. Together with Claire, they were volunteers at their daughter's church youth groups and
were active in Sunday school. Wherever John went, he loved to meet new people and quickly found
out their name and something about them. In later years, John began to hang out at the VA
Hospital gym where he made many friends who became very dear to him.
His family will miss John's big smile, his love of telling a story and his kind compassionate spirit.
The certainty that John was welcomed by Jesus into his eternal home, gives great comfort and joy to
his loving family.
A celebration of John V. Stahley's life will be on February 11 th , 2023 at 10:00am. The service will be
at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 9530 Starkey Road, Seminole, Fl 33777
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made to Aldersgate United Methodist Church
in his honor and memory.