Col Stiles

VISITATION:

4-7 p.m., Thursday June 9 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel

SERVICE:

11 a.m., Friday, June 10 at First Presbyterian Church, 130 W. Central Street, Chippewa Falls

Col. Roger E. Stiles, USAF, Ret., age 83, died peacefully on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 surrounded by his loving family at the Wisconsin Veterans Home at Chippewa Falls.

He was born November 11, 1932 in Chippewa Falls to Stella C. (Cobban) and Clarence E. Stiles.

Following high school, Roger attended the Lawrence University in Appleton, where he was an All-Conference fullback and Captain of the Football team; Cadet Commander of the ROTC Corps.; and elected honor society MACE.

On February 8, 1956, he married Patricia "Panzy" Abernethy. Over the course of Roger's military career, they moved 21 times, living in various places all over the world.

Roger started his distinguished military career in 1956 and served honorably until 1984, retiring with the rank of Colonel. During his 28 years of service, he flew 178 combat missions in the F-105 in support of the South Vietnamese and was awarded 39 decorations for valor, distinguished flying and meritorious service. He commanded six different organizations; was Commandant of the USAF Officer Training School; and was a Distinguished Graduate of the prestigious Air War College. He also earned a Master's Degree in Management from the University of Arkansas.

After retirement, he and Panzy resided in Sacramento, California, where he worked seven years for Boeing Aircraft and Grumman Aerospace, and ran his own aerospace consulting firm until the end of the Cold War.

Roger and Patty moved to Jim Falls in the early 1990's, where Roger was an active member in the Jim Falls Lions Club and a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church in Chippewa Falls.

He is survived by his wife, Panzy of Jim Falls; daughters, Cynthia (Gerald) Sebastien of Sacramento, Becky (Thomas Straling) Stiles of Camino Calif.; sons, Randy (Tina) Stiles of Belize, Peter Stiles of Eagle Point, Ore.; a brother, William (Karen) Stiles of Edina, Minn.; 11 grandchildren, Jeremy (Denise), Nicholas and Benjamin (Erika) Sebastien, Zachary (Jamie) and Jessica Anne Marchant, Ryan, Austin, Scott and Conner Stiles, Briana and Braden Stiles;

two great-grandchildren, Jasmine Sebastien and Ainslee Marchant; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Robert in infancy.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, June 10 at First Presbyterian Church in Chippewa Falls with the Rev. Dr. Karel Hanhart officiating. Burial with military honors conducted by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery, Chippewa Falls.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m., Thursday, June 9 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls and one hour prior to the service Friday at the church. A military walk through by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council will take place at 6 p.m. during the visitation, followed by a walk from the Jim Falls Lions Club.

Memorials in Roger's honor may go to the Veterans Housing and Recovery Program, 2820 E. Park Ave. Bldg. 128, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729.