Malcolm Stoppelbein

Malcolm G. Stoppelbein, Sr., 85, of Fletcher, NC, died Monday, March 24, 2008 at the Elizabeth House in Flat Rock.

Born in Thunderbolt, GA, he was the son of the late Lorenze Echord and Mabel Toomer Stoppelbein. He was also preceded in death by his son, Malcolm Stoppelbein, Jr., three brothers, and two sisters.

He was a WW II veteran, having served in the US Navy. Before retiring in 1985, he was Vice President of Distribution in the Industrial Gases Industry. He had resided in Henderson County for 22 years and was a former First Responder with the Bat Cave Volunteer Fire Department. In honor of his late son, Malcolm Jr., he was a frequent platelet donor at the American Red Cross in Asheville, donating over 70 gallons of platelets. He loved birdwatching, music and his family. He and his wife would have celebrated their 67th anniversary May 20, 2008.

He is survived by his loving wife, Irene S. Stoppelbein of Fletcher; son, Kenneth Stoppelbein and wife, Joyce, of Greer, SC; two daughters, Karen Rigling and husband, Chris, of Hendersonville, and Rena Stoppelbein and husband, Dick Canal, of Bat Cave; daughter-in-law, Judy Stoppelbein of Birmingham, AL; sister, Myrtle Pryor of Universal Healthcare in Fletcher; five grandchildren, Amie Stephens, Laura Stoppelbein, Natalie Stoppelbein, Renny Bessler, and Adam Canal; three great-grandchildren, K.J., Alex and Colby; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 11 AM Monday, March 31, 2008 in the Kirby Memorial Chapel of Shuler Funeral Home with the Reverend Jane McKown officiating. Military Rites will be conducted by Hubert M. Smith American Legion Post 77, Hedrick-Rhodes Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5206, and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 14. Burial will be at 2 PM Monday at Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain. The family will receive friends from 4 – 5:30 PM Sunday at Shuler Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Four Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care, 571 S. Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731.