PAUL F STAKEM

TAMPA, Fla.-Paul F. Stakem, age 69, formerly of 7907 Woodglen Circle, Tampa, died Thursday, April 29, 1999, at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital Hospice Unit, Tampa.

Born May 5, 1929, in Midland, Md., he was the youngest child of the late James B. and Teresa (Sharpe) Stakem. He was also preceded in death by one sister, Helen (Nellie Stakem) Milford; and five brothers, Jerome, Clement, Lawrence, Peter and Joseph.

Mr. Stakem attended Beall High School, Frostburg, Md., and received his B.A. degree from St. Leo's College, Spring Hill, Fla. SMSG Stakem retired in 1974 following 26 years of service with the United States Air Force. He was a Vietnam Veteran and the recipient of two Air Force Commendation Medals. He was then employed in the Civil Engineering Department of the City of Tampa from which he retired in 1990.

Surviving are his wife Charlotte B. (Carey) Stakem, whom he married on June 20, 1953, in London, England, her birthplace; one son, Mark C. Stakem and wife, Marguerita, London; one daughter, Anita E. DeSusa and husband, Nuno, Santa Clara, Calif; two sisters, Teresa Rhodes, Hornlake, Miss., and Rose Marie Stansbury and husband, Emerson, Rawlings, Md.; two brothers, Thomas C. Stakem, Midland, and James B. Stakem, Silver Spring, Md.; numerous nieces and nephews including local residents Patricia Stewart and James ``Beef'' Stakem, Midland, Mary Jane Stakem, Cumberland, Noreen Smith, Piedmont, W.Va., and Betty Dawson, Lonaconing.

At Mr. Stakem's request he was cremated. Services will be conducted on Friday, May 7, at 10 a.m. at the Church of the Annunciation, Tampa. His cremains will be interred in the Florida National Military Cemetery, Bushnell, Fla., with military honors.

If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Lifepath Hospice, 3010 W. Azeele St., Tampa, FL 33609, or to the American Cancer Society.