Paul J. Stoppels
October 10, 1931 — February 17, 2016
Paul Justin Stoppels, 84, of Marion passed away Wednesday, February 17, 2016, at Willow Gardens Care Center in Marion after a sudden illness and battling long term health conditions. Visitation: 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 16, 2016, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion. Memorial Service: 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 16, 2016, at the funeral home.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Nancy; his children, Paula (Mike) Gregoire of Marion, Debbe (Dr. John) Meyer of West Des Moines, Jayne Burnham of Marion, Susan Borchers of Waukee, Sara (Bill) Misiewicz of Clinton; grandchildren, Keith Burnham, Kari (Harry) Marcley, Aaron (Sarah) Borchers, John Meyer, Jennifer (Ben) Volden, Sara Thornsbrough, Katy Meyer, Alison Meyer, Lauren (Mitry) Karam, Mark Misiewicz; great-grandchildren, Harry Marcley IV, Hunter Marcley, Hudson Marcley, Kiley Thornsbrough, Ellie Borchers, and Navah Karam.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Charles, Dale and Robert.
Paul was born October 10, 1931 in Holland, Michigan, to Rev. Charles and Jeannette (Kulicamp) Stoppels. He graduated from Sully High School in 1949 and attended Central College in Pella for 3 years where he played football, basketball, baseball, and tennis. Paul was drafted into the Army during the Korean War and served at Ft. Sill in Lawton Oklahoma and in Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1954, and finished his education at the University of Iowa with a B.A. and M.A. Paul started his teaching career at Ball State University where taught physical education and coached basketball, baseball and tennis at Burris Lab School. He then taught, coached, and was Athletic Director at Grinnell from 1960 to 1974. Paul then taught at Linn-Mar High School where he served as Athletic Director until 1986 and then returned to teaching P.E. and coaching until his retirement in 1996. Paul was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Marion and was a Deacon and an Elder. He also volunteered for the American Red Cross, Boy Scouts, and many other organizations in Marion. He was a member of the Linn-Mar Hall of Fame and Athletic Directors Hall of Fame. Paul was a 50 year Athletic Official and a past President of the Iowa High School Athletic Association. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and golfing.
A special thanks to the staff of Willow Gardens Care Center, Unity Point Hospice, and Dr. Thomas Richmann for the care and compassion shown to Paul.
Memorials may be directed to the family or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Nancy; his children, Paula (Mike) Gregoire of Marion, Debbe (Dr. John) Meyer of West Des Moines, Jayne Burnham of Marion, Susan Borchers of Waukee, Sara (Bill) Misiewicz of Clinton; grandchildren, Keith Burnham, Kari (Harry) Marcley, Aaron (Sarah) Borchers, John Meyer, Jennifer (Ben) Volden, Sara Thornsbrough, Katy Meyer, Alison Meyer, Lauren (Mitry) Karam, Mark Misiewicz; great-grandchildren, Harry Marcley IV, Hunter Marcley, Hudson Marcley, Kiley Thornsbrough, Ellie Borchers, and Navah Karam.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Charles, Dale and Robert.
Paul was born October 10, 1931 in Holland, Michigan, to Rev. Charles and Jeannette (Kulicamp) Stoppels. He graduated from Sully High School in 1949 and attended Central College in Pella for 3 years where he played football, basketball, baseball, and tennis. Paul was drafted into the Army during the Korean War and served at Ft. Sill in Lawton Oklahoma and in Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1954, and finished his education at the University of Iowa with a B.A. and M.A. Paul started his teaching career at Ball State University where taught physical education and coached basketball, baseball and tennis at Burris Lab School. He then taught, coached, and was Athletic Director at Grinnell from 1960 to 1974. Paul then taught at Linn-Mar High School where he served as Athletic Director until 1986 and then returned to teaching P.E. and coaching until his retirement in 1996. Paul was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Marion and was a Deacon and an Elder. He also volunteered for the American Red Cross, Boy Scouts, and many other organizations in Marion. He was a member of the Linn-Mar Hall of Fame and Athletic Directors Hall of Fame. Paul was a 50 year Athletic Official and a past President of the Iowa High School Athletic Association. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and golfing.
A special thanks to the staff of Willow Gardens Care Center, Unity Point Hospice, and Dr. Thomas Richmann for the care and compassion shown to Paul.
Memorials may be directed to the family or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
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