Gilbert Stadley Jr

Gilbert J. Stadley Jr., 78, of Paynesville, died Wednesday, January 30, 2019, at the St. Cloud Hospital. His funeral service will be 11:00 am Wednesday, February 6, 2019, the Paynesville Evangelical Church in rural Paynesville. Burial will be at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 10-11:00 am Wednesday before the service at the church. Services are entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home in Paynesville. www.hafh.org

Gilbert (Gil) was born July 1940, in New Jersey to Rev. Gil and Inga Stadley. The family moved to Paynesville in 1950. Gilbert graduated from Paynesville High School in 1958. He attended St. Cloud State, graduating in 1962. He then taught at SCSU for a year.

In October 1963 he enlisted in the US Army Intelligence Corp. He served until September 1987, reaching the rank of Sergeant Major. Among his awards were: Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, and the Meritorious Service Medal. He served 2 years in Vietnam and 10 years in Okinawa and Japan. While serving in Okinawa he married Kiyoko (Kay) in 1967. They were blessed with 3 children. While overseas he was active in military chapels, and he taught English and Bible at a number of Japanese churches. Some of his students went on to become pastors.

After his military retirement, the family moved to Paynesville. He served 15 years in the Stearns County Veterans Services Office before retiring in 2004. While retired he was active in supporting missionaries in India and Japan. He sent many packages of literature, music and needed supplies to missionaries. He also served as a counselor at 2 Billy Graham crusades.

Every 5th year after retirement, Gil and Kay attended a worldwide festival for Okinawans returning to their homeland for a one-week festival. Gil enjoyed celebrating with the thousands of overseas Okinawans from many different countries who attended the festival.

Gil was a member of Disabled American Veterans. He was an ordained Baptist deacon and a member of the Paynesville Evangelical Free Church.

Gil is survived by his wife of 51 years, Kay; children: Michele Duffin (Pat), David Stadley, and Melissa Stadley; sisters, Kathy Palmisano and Kelly Palmisano; and brother, Michael Stadley.

Gil is preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Ira; and sister, Beverly.

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