Stephen was a classmate from all the way back at Pleasant Valley. I wish I had kept better track of him over the years. I had, ironically, thought of him frequently. I trust he had a good life, and I know he will be missed. My thoughts go out to his family.
On Monday, July 6, 2020, Stephen Ernest Stangle, loving husband, Father, Grandfather and Brother, went to be with his Lord at the age of 70, at home in Wichita, Kansas, at 7pm. Stephen had spent 3 weeks in the hospital where we learned he had terminal cancer. He was home only an hour before he passed. Jesus came for him with his family gathered around him, and his dog nudging his hand. The cancer came on quickly and took him long before we were ready!
Stephen was born to Ernest and Floreine (Lanenegger) Stangle, in Denver, Colorado on September 27, 1949. At the time of his birth, his Father was taking classes to become a watchmaker. As a young boy, Steve was very ornery, and at school, he visited the principals office frequently. The family had a membership to the YMCA, and Steve and his siblings sold candy mints to pay for the membership, at the Wichita downtown Post office. Steve was in Boy Scouts for many years, and was honorably recognized for earning the “God and Country” award. Stephen attended Pleasant Valley Middle School where he first took wood-working class which sparked a lifelong love of building items, such as lamps, and cabinets. He graduated from North High School in 1969. Stephen and family attended Broadway Christian Church, where he gave his life to Christ. The family was active in the youth group, and later his daughters were raised in the same church.
Steve was married and was blessed with 3 beautiful daughters, which included a set of twins.
During his lifetime, Steve worked driving a milk route to schools for Stephen’s Diary, which is now Hiland. Steve enjoyed tooling leather and making a variety of projects such as a purse, with a matching wallet, and a notebook cover. Steve married his second wife and love of his life on May 1, 1992 in Broadway Christian Church on South Lincoln street. Photography was his passion! He had a photo booth at the Village Flea Market for more than a decade. His business was named Simple Smile Photos, in which he was honored to photograph numerous famous subjects. He would make buttons, t-shirts, hats, bags, puzzles and other items. He could put your picture on anything! Oh the stories he would tell and how he enjoyed his work! Steve enjoyed photographing a variety of events, such as cars shows, air shows, big fundraising events, fireworks, large groups and weddings. He also liked to take pictures of scenery. Steve loved to share this passion for photography and inspire others to get behind the camera. He challenged us to take the picture from the right direction with the best lighting. Steve graduated in 1999, with an Associates Degree in Photo Journalism from Butler County Community College. Steve also worked as a Security Guard and a line worker at Spartech Plastics. After he retired, he enjoyed working at 81 Speedway. A number of us remember working with him out at the good ole track. The car races were neat, and he got to know some of the drivers. Oh the stories he would tell about the money and the treasures they would find. In 2016, back surgery went wrong, and Steve fell septic 3 times. Through the power of prayer he was brought back from the brink of death, as God knew our family needed more time to take in Stephen’s wisdom that he loved to share with us. In 2018, God blessed Sylvia and Steve with a new house that was made to be wheelchair accessible. Our family loved to gather there to celebrate Birthdays, Holidays, and a Graduation. We enjoyed so many memories being together, and that’s just how Stephen wanted it. This year he had started preparing for Christmas early, and has ordered Christmas presents for all of the men in the family, with intentions to order for the rest. He always had stories to tell! Stephen loved to visit with everyone, and for the people he had not seen in a while, he would talk your ear off! Steve welcomed all into his home, and he loved it when you would sat at his dining table and eat with him. The grandkids had their special spots at “Pam-pa’s” table. Even in the hospital, he was not done telling his stories. One day, he was feeling slightly better from the Chemotherapy, and he worked up enough breath to tell the story about how he used to drive a fork lift and he drove it off of a cliff.
Stephen was preceded in death by his father who passed with the inherited form of Multiple Sclerosis called “Ataxia”, his Mother, and Brother Joseph Darrell Stangle, who also passed from Ataxia. Surviving family includes his wife of 29 years, Sylvia Jane Stangle, his Daughters, Sylvia Ruth Stangle, Sherree Stangle, and Shannon (Shawn) Long, Randy Anderson, Dale Anderson, Dannie Anderson, and Pam Anderson. Grandkids Shawn and Stevie Long, Cody Anderson, Jacqueline Anderson, Devynn Anderson, Kameryn Anderson, Caleb Alonso, and Trevor Karber. Sisters: Peggy George, and Janell Hoagland, Nephew Russ and Lori George, Niece Janene and Jeff Jones, Nephews Josh Hoagland, Niece Lana and Robert Moler, and Nephew Joesph and Cheri Stangle. Great-nieces and nephews.
The celebration of Stephen’s life will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2020 at 10am at Hope Church, located at 2000 S. Hillside in Wichita, Kansas. Graveside service will be immediately following at Lakeview Cemetary, and then out to lunch at Dad’s favorite restaurant Two Brother’s BBQ located at 6730 W. Central. Memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society 236 South Topeka Wichita, KS 67202.
I missed his obituary in the Eagle. Thank you for posting it, Julie. It appears Steve overcame some hardships, lived a good life, and had a loving family. Good to know!
Debbie Nassif
God Rest Your Soul
LaDonna Coder (Ishida)
He was a gentle soul. May God comfort his family.
John Hackney
Stephen was a classmate from all the way back at Pleasant Valley. I wish I had kept better track of him over the years. I had, ironically, thought of him frequently. I trust he had a good life, and I know he will be missed. My thoughts go out to his family.
Julie Fox (Hall)
On Monday, July 6, 2020, Stephen Ernest Stangle, loving husband, Father, Grandfather and Brother, went to be with his Lord at the age of 70, at home in Wichita, Kansas, at 7pm. Stephen had spent 3 weeks in the hospital where we learned he had terminal cancer. He was home only an hour before he passed. Jesus came for him with his family gathered around him, and his dog nudging his hand. The cancer came on quickly and took him long before we were ready!Stephen was born to Ernest and Floreine (Lanenegger) Stangle, in Denver, Colorado on September 27, 1949. At the time of his birth, his Father was taking classes to become a watchmaker. As a young boy, Steve was very ornery, and at school, he visited the principals office frequently. The family had a membership to the YMCA, and Steve and his siblings sold candy mints to pay for the membership, at the Wichita downtown Post office. Steve was in Boy Scouts for many years, and was honorably recognized for earning the “God and Country” award. Stephen attended Pleasant Valley Middle School where he first took wood-working class which sparked a lifelong love of building items, such as lamps, and cabinets. He graduated from North High School in 1969. Stephen and family attended Broadway Christian Church, where he gave his life to Christ. The family was active in the youth group, and later his daughters were raised in the same church.
Steve was married and was blessed with 3 beautiful daughters, which included a set of twins.
During his lifetime, Steve worked driving a milk route to schools for Stephen’s Diary, which is now Hiland. Steve enjoyed tooling leather and making a variety of projects such as a purse, with a matching wallet, and a notebook cover. Steve married his second wife and love of his life on May 1, 1992 in Broadway Christian Church on South Lincoln street. Photography was his passion! He had a photo booth at the Village Flea Market for more than a decade. His business was named Simple Smile Photos, in which he was honored to photograph numerous famous subjects. He would make buttons, t-shirts, hats, bags, puzzles and other items. He could put your picture on anything! Oh the stories he would tell and how he enjoyed his work! Steve enjoyed photographing a variety of events, such as cars shows, air shows, big fundraising events, fireworks, large groups and weddings. He also liked to take pictures of scenery. Steve loved to share this passion for photography and inspire others to get behind the camera. He challenged us to take the picture from the right direction with the best lighting. Steve graduated in 1999, with an Associates Degree in Photo Journalism from Butler County Community College. Steve also worked as a Security Guard and a line worker at Spartech Plastics. After he retired, he enjoyed working at 81 Speedway. A number of us remember working with him out at the good ole track. The car races were neat, and he got to know some of the drivers. Oh the stories he would tell about the money and the treasures they would find. In 2016, back surgery went wrong, and Steve fell septic 3 times. Through the power of prayer he was brought back from the brink of death, as God knew our family needed more time to take in Stephen’s wisdom that he loved to share with us. In 2018, God blessed Sylvia and Steve with a new house that was made to be wheelchair accessible. Our family loved to gather there to celebrate Birthdays, Holidays, and a Graduation. We enjoyed so many memories being together, and that’s just how Stephen wanted it. This year he had started preparing for Christmas early, and has ordered Christmas presents for all of the men in the family, with intentions to order for the rest. He always had stories to tell! Stephen loved to visit with everyone, and for the people he had not seen in a while, he would talk your ear off! Steve welcomed all into his home, and he loved it when you would sat at his dining table and eat with him. The grandkids had their special spots at “Pam-pa’s” table. Even in the hospital, he was not done telling his stories. One day, he was feeling slightly better from the Chemotherapy, and he worked up enough breath to tell the story about how he used to drive a fork lift and he drove it off of a cliff.
Stephen was preceded in death by his father who passed with the inherited form of Multiple Sclerosis called “Ataxia”, his Mother, and Brother Joseph Darrell Stangle, who also passed from Ataxia. Surviving family includes his wife of 29 years, Sylvia Jane Stangle, his Daughters, Sylvia Ruth Stangle, Sherree Stangle, and Shannon (Shawn) Long, Randy Anderson, Dale Anderson, Dannie Anderson, and Pam Anderson. Grandkids Shawn and Stevie Long, Cody Anderson, Jacqueline Anderson, Devynn Anderson, Kameryn Anderson, Caleb Alonso, and Trevor Karber. Sisters: Peggy George, and Janell Hoagland, Nephew Russ and Lori George, Niece Janene and Jeff Jones, Nephews Josh Hoagland, Niece Lana and Robert Moler, and Nephew Joesph and Cheri Stangle. Great-nieces and nephews.
The celebration of Stephen’s life will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2020 at 10am at Hope Church, located at 2000 S. Hillside in Wichita, Kansas. Graveside service will be immediately following at Lakeview Cemetary, and then out to lunch at Dad’s favorite restaurant Two Brother’s BBQ located at 6730 W. Central. Memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society 236 South Topeka Wichita, KS 67202.
Gail Williams
I missed his obituary in the Eagle. Thank you for posting it, Julie. It appears Steve overcame some hardships, lived a good life, and had a loving family. Good to know!