Edward Joseph Stencil Sr.,

Edward Jospeh Stencil Sr., 85, Athens passed away Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born April 14, 1936, in the town of Rietbrock, son of the late Lucas and Clara (Socha) Stenzel.  On February 20, 1960, he married Sharon McKee at Holy Family Catholic Church, Poniatowski.  She survives.

After serving in the United States Army, he worked for Alton Zettler Construction for several years.  He began his semi driving career with E J Peter than later drove for County Materials.  Ed, his wife, and children farmed in the town of Rietbrock for many years as well.

If you heard laughter Ed was nearby.  He always loved telling stories of where he drove truck and will be fondly remembered as a great story teller.  Ed worked hard and played hard.

When it came to family Ed was all in.  He always found time to take the girls to horse shows and Butch to 3-wheeler races.  Ed loved to make polish sausage, smoke fish and making homemade sauerkraut, but his greatest love was driving truck and his tractor, the Gottschalk.

Ed was proud of his kids, whether they were showing horses, cattle at the local fairs or racing 3-wheelers, he was there from the beginning till the end.  From time to time he enjoyed a nice cold beer, telling stories and spoiling his four-legged friend, who he named, “Baby”.  Ed will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Ed proudly served his country in the United States Army.

Survivors include his wife, Sharon Stencil, Athens, his four children, Bonnie (Henk) Van Dyk, New Richmond, Laurie (Dave) Jahnke, Athens, Butch Stencil Jr., Athens and Dawn Stencil, Athens, three grandchildren, Jordan and Claire Van Dyk and Joshua Weiler and one step grandson, Ben Jahnke.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his brothers, Clarence, Lawrence and June Stenzel.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 2, 2021, at Holy Family Catholic Church, Poniatowski.  The Rev. Alan Wierzba will preside.  Burial will be in the parish cemetery.  Full military honors will be conducted by the American Legion, Sawyer-Drumm Post #393, Edgar and the Veteran of Foreign Wars, Andrew J. Sutter Post #8527, Athens. Visitation will be held on Monday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens and again on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church.  There will be a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Monday evening at the Athens funeral home.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com

Ed’s last words to his family were, “ Don’t cry, I’m ok!”