WILLIAM A STAKEM

FROSTBURG — William A. Stakem, 83, of Wood Street, Frostburg, died Saturday Aug. 30, 2003, at his residence.

Born Dec. 10, 1919, in Midland, he was the son of the late Richard and Angela (Cosgrove) Stakem. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by three brothers, Richard, Joseph, and Leo Stakem; and two sisters, Betty Minke, and Rose Marie Webster.

Mr. Stakem was retired from the B&O Railroad, as a machinist and formerly worked at the Pittsburgh Plate and Glass Los Alamos, N.M. Atomic Energy Commission. He was a fighter pilot of the p-38 in the U.S. Air Corps during World War II, having received the distinguished Service Cross. He was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, and the Knights of Columbus Council 1442, Frostburg.

Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Mary Jewell (Heckler) Stakem; five sons, William Douglas Stakem and wife Joyce, Newark, Del., Father Ward Gary Stakem O.F.M. CAP, Rochester, Pa., Robert Stakem and fiancee Lynn Jackson, Santa Cruz Calif., Bruce Stakem and wife Helen, Felton, Calif., Phillip Stakem and wife Jonanna, Mechanicsville, Va.; two daughters, Denise Price and husband Richard, Adamstown, and Joyce Muir and husband Mike, Frostburg; one brother Father Gary Stakem O.F.M. CAP, Herman, Pa.; Eight grandchildren, Mark and wife Therese, Shane, Eric, Jonathan, Andrew, Carrie, Michael, and Jessica.

Friends will be received at the Durst Funeral Home, P.A., 57 Frost Ave., Frostburg on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Christian Wake Service will be held in the funeral home at 8 p.m. by Father Gary Stakem O.F.M. CAP. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Michaels Catholic Church on Wednesday at 11 a.m. with Father Ward Gary Stakem O.F.M. CAP as celebrant assisted by Father Gary Stakem O.F.M. CAP and Father Paul Byrnes. Following the mass, military honors will be accorded at the church by Farrady Post 24 American Legion Honor Guard. In accordance with his wishes he will be cremated and inurnmnt will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. in the Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Flintstone.

Pallbearers will be Mike Muir, Eric Stakem, Mark Stakem, Jonathan Price, Andrew Price, and Rick Price.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Western Maryland Hospice or St. Michaels School.