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Gary Edward Stemm

  • July 19, 1939 - August 23, 2009
  • Virginia Beach, Virginia
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“Nancy-my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this sad time. ”
1 of 7 | Posted by: LuAnne Boyd - Norfolk, VA

“Dear Aunt Nancy, Karen, Eric, Brian, and Rich, Our prayers are with you today and always. We celebrate Uncle Gary's life on earth and the new life...Read More » ”
2 of 7 | Posted by: Julie Bevins - Grand Rapids, MI

“Though I didn't know Gary very well, he was always full of snappy remarks and fun. I enjoyed trying to top some of his comments with some wit of my...Read More » ”
3 of 7 | Posted by: Robyn Jones - Suffolk, VA

“Desr Nancy, Karen, Rich, Eric and Brian, We are thinking of you constantly and praying for the memorial service. I mailed out a card today ...Read More » ”
4 of 7 | Posted by: Kathy Hieb - Phoenix, AZ

“To Nancy and the entire family I would like to express my deepest condolences to you and your family. That extends from my family as well. We all...Read More » ”
5 of 7 | Posted by: Ron Owens - Va Beach, VA

“Nancy, My prayers are with you and your family. I have always loved your reflections on your vacations together. GOD Bless You! Linda ”
6 of 7 | Posted by: Linda Vreeland - Hampton, VA

“Nancy My thoughts will be with you and yours, My prayers will be with Gary. You can depend on any of us at St Nick's at any time. Don't hesitate to...Read More » ”
7 of 7 | Posted by: Frank Zurschmit - Virginia Beach, VA


VIRGINIA BEACH — Gary Edward Stemm, 70, of Virginia Beach, passed away Sunday, August 23, 2009 at his home. He was born July 19, 1939 in Elkhart, Indiana, the son of Richard Lynden and Gladys Viola Stemm, who preceded him in death. After graduating from the State University of New York at New Paltz in 1961, Gary had a long, varied, and colorful career, including service as a Green Beret in the U.S. Army, pharmaceutical salesperson, radio disc jockey, Elkhart television news anchor, and reporter at several newspapers across the country, including the National Enquirer. He had a lifelong passion for the strange and unexplained phenomena of the world. A resident of Virginia Beach for the last 30 years, Gary was a former local newspaper reporter for the Virginia Beach Beacon and a mathematics teacher at several area schools, most recently at Holy Trinity School in Norfolk. A recent convert to Catholicism, he was a parishioner at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Virginia Beach. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and he will be deeply missed by his family. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Nancy Jean Stemm; his daughter, Karen E. Fournier, of Darnestown, MD, and her husband Richard; his sons Eric A. Stemm and Brian C. Stemm, both of Virginia Beach; four grandchildren, Braeden Stemm, Kieran Stemm, Liam Stemm, and Sean Fournier; a brother Alan R. Stemm, of Albuquerque, NM, and his wife Joan; a brother, Denis L. Stemm, of Goshen, IN; a sister Joan K. Stemm, of Elkhart, IN; and many nieces and nephews. A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, August 27 at 6pm at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 712 Little Neck Rd., Virginia Beach. A reception at the church will follow the mass. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the International Myeloma Foundation, http://www.myeloma.org, or a charity of your choice. Cremation Society of Virginia, Hampton Roads Office is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at www.cremate.org.