Levern "Bud" Stebnitz's Obituary
Levern Henry “Bud” Stebnitz, 93, of Fort Myers, FL, formerly of Milwaukee, WI, passed peacefully Friday, December 5, 2014 at Hope Hospice, Cape Coral. In his earlier years in Wisconsin, Bud worked brewing beer for the Miller Brewing Company and assisted in a cheese factory, where he crafted Wisconsin cheeses. Bud settled into his primary career – Interstate Truck Driver delivering goods across the entire country. After moving to Florida, he worked as a supervisor with Beacon Donovan Manor. He enjoyed traversing the country as a driver but enjoyed retirement where he took time to revisit many of the places he drove through while working. He enjoyed traveling, but especially enjoyed working in his garden where he grew immaculate flowers and bountiful fruits and vegetables. Bud was a decorated WWII Army veteran serving in the military police from 1942 – 1946. He saw tours of duty in Ardennes, Rhineland and central Europe sharing in The Battle of the Bulge under General Patton. For his honorable service to duty, he received a Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon, European, African, and Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 3 Bronze Battle Stars, 2 overseas service bars, 1 service stripe and a good conduct medal. Bud was born January 2, 1921 in Martell, Wisconsin – the son of the late Henry Stebnitz and Ida Holt Stebnitz. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his loving wife Rose (1990), sisters, Aletha “Big” and Lillian Vielleux and brother, Russ Stebnitz. He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his children, Diane Forster of Kingsford, MI and Kerry Crank of Bend, Oregon; his stepchildren, June Moseman of Estero, FL, Thomas Rock of Hedgesville, WV and Anthony Rock of Mechanicsville, MD. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. During his last years, Bud was a resident at Springwood Court Assisted Living in Fort Myers, where he enjoyed attentive care and companionship. The family is grateful to Springwood Court as well as Hope Hospice. Visitation will begin at 10am Wednesday followed by funeral services at 11am Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home 1589 Colonial Blvd. Fort Myers, FL. He will be interred with military Honors next to his loving wife Rose in the Veteran’s Lawn Crypts of Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Online condolences and remembrances may be sent at www.fortmyersmemorial.com
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