EDWIN W. STEMEN

Edwin Walter Stemen, age 85, of Columbia City, IN passed away at 8:00 a.m. Thursday, August 11, 2011 at his home. Born November 11, 1925 in Fort Wayne, IN he was the son of Herman Thaddeus and Chloie Helen (Drudge) Stemen.

He graduated from Elmhurst High School with the Class of 1944. He worked as an apprentice at Harvester before serving in the US Air Force. After an honorable discharge from the Air Force, he was employed by the union at Harvester for eight years.From 1954 until 1964, he worked at Coliseum Service and the Brake Stop before founding his own automobile service in 1964. He sold his business, Eddie Stemen Align & Brake located on Wells Street, Fort Wayne, to his son in 1992, but continued working with his son until 2004.

His first marriage was to Norma Ruth Jefferies and she passed away in 1992. On October 18, 1986 he married Evelyn Eileen Culbertson in Fort Wayne. A former resident of Fort Wayne and Claypool, he moved to Columbia City in 1986. His memberships included the Masonic Lodge for 50 years in Fort Wayne and Columbia City United Methodist Church. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing cards with family and friends.

Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Evelyn E. Stemen; daughter, Cheryl "Cheri" L. Stemen; son, Steven E. (Laura) Stemen all of Columbia City; step-daughter, Pam Keckler of Riverside, IL; step-son, Barry K. (Rhonda) Culbertson of Fort Wayne; 6 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren; sisters, Joan G. (Jerry) Pond and Sally A. Blue both of Fort Wayne. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters, Lillian Stemen and Waneta Brand.

Visitation is 2-9 p.m. Friday, August 12, 2011 at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral service is Saturday, August 13, 2011 at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor David Arnold of Columbia City United Methodist Church officiating.Burial will follow with graveside military rites at Union Cemetery, Coesse. Memorials may be given in memory of Mr. Stemen to Parkview Whitley Home Health Care & Hospice or Columbia City United Methodist Church Building Fund. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.