IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Richard
Stommel
July 22, 1942 – November 18, 2025
Obituary
Richard G. "Dick" Stommel, a devoted husband, father, grandfather and community member, lived a life of service, loyalty and quiet generosity. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, after an 18-month illness.
Richard was born July 22, 1942, the middle of six siblings and a twin who arrived just minutes after his brother Don. He was the son of Anthony and Alice E. (Steffan) Stommel of Mayville, Wisconsin. From the start, family mattered, and he learned early the value of hard work, contributing and standing by those he loved.
Richard married Ruby Sperger on April 18, 1964, and they shared a partnership defined by teamwork, devotion to family and mutual respect. They celebrated 61 years of marriage. The couple spent many years together in West Bend and later enjoyed their retirement near family and friends, including more than 20 winters in Florida.
He is survived by his wife and three children: Dawn Pilolla, Brian (Suzanne) Stommel and Kristin (Joseph) Paltzer; and former son-in-law Daniel Pilolla. He is further survived by his cherished grandchildren: Dominic and Marco Pilolla; Cody (Megan) and Samantha Stommel; and Finn and Bea Paltzer; as well as his great-granddaughters, Emilee Stommel-Heberer and Haylee Stommel; and his step-grandchildren, Morgan and Mollie Zygmunt and Zach Lazich.
He is also survived by his sister, Patricia Gust of Fond du Lac; his sisters-in-law, Ramona Werner of West Bend, Henrietta Gremminger of Kewaskum, and Joyce and Adeline Stommel of Mayville; as well as many other dear relatives and friends.
Richard served in the Marine Corps, where discipline and resilience became lasting parts of his character. During his service, he was stationed at Camp Pendleton in California and Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, and spent 13 months in Okinawa, Japan. After his military service, he worked at UPS for 32 years, developing lifelong friendships and a reputation for integrity and reliability.
A lifelong giver, Richard contributed countless hours to community and faith-based activities, including more than 20 years driving for Interfaith Caregivers of Washington County. He believed deeply in helping others and lived by the conviction that if you can help, you should.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony and Alice E. (Steffan) Stommel; his siblings, twin Donald Stommel, Elizabeth Adelmeyer, and Robert and Ronald Stommel; his daughter-in-law Julie Stommel; and his "brother from another mother," brother-in-law Bernie Werner.
A Christian Mass will be held Thursday, Dec. 4, at 4 p.m. at Holy Angels Catholic Church. The family will greet relatives and friends during a visitation period at the church Thursday from 1 p.m. until 3:45 p.m. Interment will take place Friday, Dec. 5, at 10 a.m. at Washington County Memorial Park.
Memorial gifts in Richard's name may be directed to Interfaith Caregivers of Washington County and Capuchin Community Services.
In the words he lived by and taught through example: If you can help, you should. Richard G. Stommel lived a life of service, loyalty and a quiet, steadfast presence that touched many. He will be remembered with gratitude, love and the lasting impact of a life well lived.
Once a Marine, always a Marine. Semper Fi.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard Stommel, please visit our flower store.
Services
Interment
December
5
Washington County Memorial Park
Starts at 10:00 am
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