Florian E. Stiehr

Florian E. Stiehr, 91, a resident of the St. Francis Home, Fond du Lac, died Thursday, September 5, 2013.

He was born on December 28, 1921, in Fond du Lac, a son of Walter and Albertine Krueger                       Stiehr.

Florian was a graduate of Fond du Lac Senior High School, Class of 1939.

Following graduation, Florian attended and later taught at the Fond du Lac Vocational School.

On September 26, 1944, he married Ruth L. Merrill at Salem Evangelical Church, Fond du Lac.

Florian began his service with the United States Army on November 21, 1942, serving in the European Theater.  He received the Victory Medal American Theater Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Battle Stars, two Overseas Service Bars, one Service Stripe, a Good Conduct Medal, and a Bronze Star Medal.  He was honorably discharged on January 5, 1946.

He began a four year apprenticeship with Harbridge Sheet Metal, working his way to a foreman position which he held for 20 years, retiring in 1985 after 38 years of employment.

Florian was a member of Salem United Methodist Church, served as the church historian, and wrote a book about the church.

He was a former member of the Fond du Lac Noon Kiwanis.  He was a history buff, an avid reader, and a meticulous record keeper.  Florian was a quiet and humble person who loved to volunteer his time, he was selfless.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth; two sons:  Jon (Linda) Stiehr of Oakwood, GA, and Marc (Bari) Stiehr of Hoffman Estates, IL; four grandchildren:  Ericka Sanner-Stiehr, Erin (Brant) Watson, Matthew Stiehr, and Kristin (Ryan) Lindvall; four great-grandchildren; a sister, Dorothy (Art) Lueptow of Oakwood, GA; and special friends, Norm and Julie Francis of Fond du Lac.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 9, 2013, at Mach Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 31 E. Division St., Fond du Lac, with Rev. Bill Beaton officiating.   Entombment will follow in Ledgeview Memorial Park.

The visitation will be on Monday at Mach Funeral Chapel & Crematory from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.

Memorials may be directed to Salem United Methodist Church.

Mach Funeral Chapel & Crematory is serving the family, www.machfuneralchapel.com.