Stoneback, George S. (1912-1986)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1987 Feb 19 p. 11

Birth date: 1912 Jun 8

text of obituary:

GEORGE S. STONEBACK

George S. Stoneback, 74, of San Luis Obispo, Calif, died Dec. 27, 1986, at his home. A memorial service was held on Jan. 4 at the United Church of Christ in San Luis Obispo. A private graveside service was held at the Los Osos Valley Memorial Park cemetery.

He was born on June 8, 1912, at Quakertown, Pa., and graduated from Quakertown High School in 1931. He graduated from Bluffton (Ohio) College in 1935, majoring in philosophy, history and literature. He continued his studies at Hartford (Conn.) Theological Seminary, where he received his bachelor of divinity degree.

He was awarded the William Thompson Fellowship for two years of study abroad. World War II made it necessary for him to use it in America. He studied at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, in the graduate school of sociology and at Lutheran Seminary in Gettysburg, Pa., while serving the Fairfield Mennonite Church as pastor.

He served eight churches in nearly 50 years of ministry, one of which was Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church, Wichita, Kan. In California, he served at Fresno Mennonite Church and as associate pastor of the Congregational United Church of Christ, San Luis Obispo.

He served several churches in the area as guest pastor and never passed up the opportunity to assist in numerous special projects. He was active in the ministerial association and the S.L.O. Meals on Wheels program. He was also a past member of the S.L.O. Lions Club.

He was also manager of the Lamplighter Motel of S.L.O. for more than four years after retiring from active ministry in 1973. Until 1986 he was relief manager for several different local motels.

His ministry never ended. His last official duty was the consecration of his youngest grandchild, Kathryn Gail Stoneback, at the Congregational United Church of Christ in San Luis Obispo on Dec. 14.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Kathryn Kulp Stoneback; three daughters, Georgianna Kathryn Sheffler of Kirkland, Wash., Cynthia Rosanna Wheeler of Portland, Ore., Elaine June Skinner of McPherson, Kan.; one son, Edwin Henry Stoneback of San Luis Obispo; two sisters, Ida M. Stoneback of Cleveland, Ohio, and Marion Stoneback of Bluffton, Ind.; and eight grandchildren.

Transcribed by Ralph Shetler, Oregon

The Mennonite obituary: 1987 Jan 27 p. 40