Glen E. Stoner

Glen Edward Stoner, 88, of Shawnee, Kansas, passed away peacefully in his home on the evening of March 13, 2013, surrounded by his family.

Called "Papa" by his children and grandchildren, Glen was a Christian gentleman in his life and his death. Born March 1, 1925, Glen was the youngest of seven children. Through much hardship and perseverance, Glen earned his high school diploma, after which he enlisted in the U.S. Army. After undergoing artillery training that left him permanently hard of hearing, he was transferred to the infantry under Patton, earning a Bronze Star for valor at the Battle of the Bulge. He further distinguished himself on the frozen battlefields of Korea, earning another Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. His squad surrounded, Glen selflessly drew enemy machine gun fire, and coordinated a counter-attack to break through the enemy lines-enabling his battalion to retreat. His heroism that day saved dozens of American lives, but not without cost: his knee, shattered by a sniper's bullet, would never be the same.

In 1952, Glen married Patricia, the love of his life, and the couple was blessed with two lovely daughters, Lisa and Cindi. After serving as a noted high school ROTC instructor in the Kansas City area while earning his college degree from UMKC, Glen transferred to Cold War Europe with Army counter-intelligence, earning numerous commendations for his diligent efforts in the service of his country. After retiring from the Army as a Master Sergeant, Glen again continued to serve his country for another twenty years as special agent for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and received a presidential commendation for his investigative work.

Again demonstrating his toughness and strength of will, Glen fought and beat colon cancer in the 1980s, and would live to see his seven grandchildren play and grow around him. In his new role as Papa, the loving grandfather was always his grandchildren's first and best friend. He always provided for them, having no greater wish than to see them graduate college and do something every day "for the good of your country." After he retired, Glen served the Tomahawk Hills Golf Course as a volunteer marshall for 20 years.

Glen is survived by his wife of 60 years, Pat; his two daughters, Lisa Obermeier and husband Steve and Cindi Johnson and husband Todd; and his seven grandchildren, Michael Obermeier and wife Sara, Daniel Obermeier, Matthew Obermeier, Mitchell Johnson, Grant Johnson, Annaliese Johnson and Brett Johnson; as well as his cat of five years, Smokey, who disproved Papa's lifelong protestation that he "never liked cats." Glen exemplified Christ's love to them all. "Well done, good and faithful servant."

The family sincerely thanks every single member of Crossroads Hospice for their loving care of Papa.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 16, 2013, at First Baptist Church of Shawnee. The family will greet friends at 9:30 a.m., Saturday at the church. A private family burial with full military honors will follow at Green Lawn Cemetery, Kansas City, Missouri

The family asks for continued prayer, and in lieu of flowers donations be made to:

First Baptist Church of Shawnee

11400 Johnson Drive

Shawnee, Kansas 66203

or

Crossroads Hospice

11150 Thompson Avenue

Lenexa, Kansas 66219