Richard formerly owned and managed the Stentzel Insurance Co. of Greenville. Later he managed the Preble County Automobile Club (AAA) of Eaton, Ohio for 25 years. Also each year during the month of May he was employed by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in various positions, the last four years as Supervisor of the Tower Suites. In 1994 Richard was elected into the Indianapolis “500” Oldtimers Club as a result of his 21 years of services at the race track and later became a Life Member of that organization. He was a former member and Past President (1957-1958) of the Greenville Lions Club and presently a member of the Eaton Lions Club. He was named a “Melvin Jones Fellow in Lionism”, the highest form of recognition awarded by the foundation and received a 50 Year Plaque for services in Lionism. Richard was also a member of the Greenville Elks Lodge, the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Greenville and a contributing member of the Hawaii Theatre Center Honolulu, Hawaii.
He was also a Veteran serving in the United States Naval Reserve receiving an Honorable Discharge July 15, 1955.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Elsie A. (Rieman) Stentzel March 4, 2016. They were married October 20, 1951. Also brothers John W. Stentzel and George Stentzel and a sister Jane Lage.
Richard is survived by son, Dr. Stephen R. Stentzel of Greenville, Ohio; daughter, Kathryn D. Shafer of Avon, Ohio; grandchildren, Jennifer (Jon) Nettles, Monica (Teri) Armstrong and Nicole Armstrong; and great-grandchildren, Kylie Nettles, Alex Nettles and Reagan Armstrong; sister Martha (Mike) Sprecher of Plymouth, MI, brothers David Stentzel of Clinton, MI and Jim (Cathy) Stentzel of Key West, FL as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday April 6, 2018 in the Zechar Bailey Funeral Home Greenville, Ohio with Pastor Alan Knoke officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery in Fort Jefferson where Military Graveside services will be conducted by the Greenville Veteran’s Honor Guard. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM and on Friday 1 hour prior to the services in the funeral home.
It is the wishes of the family that Memorial Contributions be given to St. Paul Lutheran Church of Greenville.
Condolences for the family may be sent to www.zecharbailey.com.
