William E. "Bill" Stucker, D.D.S. Obituary (1923

Let Us Pause To Honor the Memory of William E. Stucker, D.D.S. Dr. William "Bill" E. Stucker died on January 21, 2017 in Madison, Indiana. He was nearly 94 years old. Dr. Stucker was an energetic natural leader, a faithful promoter of the Catholic faith, a committed family and community man, and a friendly local personality known for his vast repertoire of clean jokes. He was born in Billings, Montana on February 15, 1923 to Albert and Mary Birck Stucker while his family was temporarily homesteading there. Otherwise, he grew up on his family's farm in Madison and spent nearly his entire life in the Madison area. He graduated Valedictorian from Central High School in 1940. He studied Chemistry and Mathematics and was an athlete at Hanover College for two years before enlisting in the United States Navy on July 1, 1943. He was commissioned Lieutenant on February 24, 1944 serving during World War II at USNOB Argentia Newfoundland. While serving there Bill met a young secretary named Rose Mary Reddy, who served for the Commander of the Naval Base. They were married June 7, 1947 in a military ceremony at the base chapel. He was honorably discharged on August 15, 1946 at New York receiving the American Theatre Ribbon and the World War II Victory Ribbon. On active duty for five years, his main assignment was Port Director and Traffic Manager at the U.S. Naval Base in Argentia, Newfoundland, Canada. He returned to the United States in 1950 to attend dental school but remained in the Naval Reserves and earned the rank of Captain on September 1, 1974. He was a Naval Academy Information Officer for 20 years, interviewing dozens of high school cadet candidates for recommendation to the Academy. Dr. Stucker received the Presidential Meritorious Service Medal in 1982. He attended Wabash College and Columbia University during the War and received his Bachelor's Degree from Hanover in 1949 and his D.D.S. Degree from Indiana University in 1955. He continued to serve Hanover College as Alumni Board member, Class Agent and graduate advisor of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity for many years. He was inducted into the Hanover College Sports Hall of Fame in 2001 for basketball and football 1940-1943. He always considered this induction as a way to honor all World War II veterans who had to interrupt their college sports careers for the war. He started for Hanover in the first football game he had ever seen, playing both offense and defense. During his Navy years, he was a star fast pitch softball pitcher and led his Navy team to the New York State Softball finals. His favorite sport was tennis, which he played several times a week even into his eighties. He was teased relentlessly for being an ardent Notre Dame fan. Dr. Stucker practiced dentistry in downtown Madison for 32 years, including making house calls on his motorcycle. He held many positions in the Indiana Dental Associations, including President of the Southeastern Dental Society and Trustee of the Indiana Dental Association. He was the Chairman of the Jefferson County Board of Health for over 50 years. A member of the Madison Elks Lodge No. 524 for over 50 years, Bill was often seen playing euchre there during lunchtime. He also was a charter member and Vice President of the Jefferson County Historical Preservation Society. Dr. Stucker was a leader in the Madison Catholic community. He helped form and was the first President of the Madison Parochial Board of Education. Pope John XXIII School was built during his tenure. He volunteered often at the schools, and especially enjoyed coaching Shawe girls' and boys' tennis teams. The tennis courts adjacent to Shawe High School were named in his honor in 2005. In retirement, he served as altar boy for hundreds of daily and funeral masses. He was a loyal 4th Degree Knights of Columbus and member of the Prince of Peace Catholic Church. Dr. Stucker received the Golden Shamrock Award in 1998 from Shawe and Pope John Schools. Click Here for Tribute or Funeral Service Video FAMILY He is survived by his daughters, Joanne Beyer and husband Martin, of Richmond, VA and Lisa Todd and husband Stephen, of Louisville, KY, his son, Robert Stucker and wife Dorothy, of Blue Ash, OH, eight grandchildren, Jennifer and Geoffrey Beyer, Marybeth, John, Patrick, Paul and Anna Stucker, Colin Johnstone; and four great grandchildren, Kyleigh, Alyssa, and Chase Johnstone and Clark Beyer; other family members include his niece Michele Barlow and her husband, Rob and other nieces and nephews. He will also be missed by his caretaker of many years, Katherine Jones. He was preceded in death by his father, Albert Ervin Stucker, his mother, Mary Birck Stucker, his wife of 65 years, Rose Mary Reddy Stucker in November 2012, his brother, Jack Stucker, and his sister, Mary Dean Conway. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL Funeral Mass will be conducted Saturday, January 28, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., Celebrated by Father Don Buchanan at the Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 413 East Second Street in downtown Madison, Indiana. Interment will follow in the St. Patrick Cemetery in Madison, Indiana VISITATION Friends may call Friday from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison, Indiana. THE ROSARY The Rosary will be prayed on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison, Indiana. MILITARY HONORS Full military honors will be conducted at the graveside by the United States Naval Ceremonial Unit and Jefferson Post 9 of the American Legion. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS The honor guard of the Knights of Columbus will honor Dr. Stucker at the visitation. MEMORIAL EXPRESSIONS In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Dr. William E. and Rose Mary Stucker Scholarship (Friends of Shawe and Pope John) which was established by the family in 2012. The scholarship helps pay tuition for a deserving Shawe student. Contributions may be mailed to Morgan & Nay or credit card payments can be made online or by phone. 812-265-5577. Cards are available at the funeral home and the Church. Online condolences, www.morgan-nay.com To send a flower arrangement in memory of William E. "Bill" Stucker, D.D.S., please click here to visit our sympathy store.