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IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Walter J.

Walter J. Stapleton Sr. Profile Photo

Stapleton Sr.

November 9, 2011

Obituary

Walter J. Stapleton, Sr., age 82, of Indiana, died Wednesday, November 9, 2011 with his family at his side at the Indiana Regional Medical Center, due to post-lung transplant complications. He was born in 1929 in Indiana Co., to Patrick James Stapleton, Sr. and Bertha Stadtmiller. He was a four letter winner as a senior at Indiana High School in 1946, lettering in basketball, football, baseball and track. He was awarded a full basketball scholarship at St. Francis, receiving the "Mr. Frankie" award and the Outstanding Athlete award. Wally also played for the American Legion and Indiana AC's under head coach Dick Fulton. He received his BA in Education at St. Francis College, Loretta, PA,and his Masters Degree in Education at Penn State. A veteran of the Korean War, he served in the US Army at Ft. Myer, VA, as a member of the Honor Guard from 1951 to 1953. Mr. Stapleton was employed by the Indiana Area School District for 36 years as a history and civics teacher, and as the head Varsity Basketball coach for many years. He initiated and then coached the boys Varsity Golf program for 34 years. He was the freshman basketball coach at Indiana State Teacher's College (IUP) under Herm Sledzik and Carl Davis for four years. He was inducted into the Indiana County Sports Hall of Fame in 1986. Wally participated in the PA Senior Games he earned medals in golf, basketball, and bowling, qualifying for the National Senior Games. Mr. Stapleton was an active member and usher at the St. Bernard of Clairvaux R.C. Church. He was also a member of St. Francis University Alumni Association, and the Knights of Columbus. Pa Pa enjoyed playing with and instructing his grandchildren and as they grew watching them participate in numerous sporting events and cultural activities. Walter is survived by his wife of 51 years M. Geri (Burns) Stapleton, Indiana; two sons, Walter J., Jr. and wife Rebecca, and their children, Leslie, Haley, and Audrey, Indiana; James K. and wife Claudia, and their children, Kevin, Derek, Riley and Dylan, Indiana; and by numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, by his brother Senator Patrick J. Stapleton, Jr., and by his sister Mary Adele Wilson. Friends will be received on Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 P.M. at the Bowser-Minich Funeral Home, Indiana. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 10 A.M. at St. Bernard of Clairvaux R.C. Church, with the Rev. Fr. William Kiel the celebrant. Interment will be made in the St. Bernard Cemetery. Graveside military honors will be provided by the VFW Post #1989, Indiana. Memorial contributions may be made to Walter J. Stapleton, Sr. Memorial Golf Scholarship, c/o S and T Bank, 800 Philadelphia St., Indiana, PA 15701.

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