Paul Edward “Shorty” Stupasky, of Quincy, Illinois, was 89 years old when he died Thursday, July 13, 2023. He spent his final years at the Quincy Illinois Veterans Home. His family will be forever grateful to the exceptional and dedicated staff there; they made sure all of his needs were met and that he was safe and comfortable. They treated him with love and respect, laughed with him, took him bowling, and brought musical performances to the home for all there to enjoy.
Paul was a life-long resident of Quincy born May 8, 1934, in St. Mary’s Hospital, the son of Edward and Ruth Burgdorff Stupasky. He was married to Charlene Peters from November 7, 1959, until the time of Charlene’s death on April 18, 1992. They were the parents of four children. Paul then married Carolyn Lucille Feld from October 2, 1998, until the time of Carolyn’s death on February 14, 2018. He was the stepfather of three adult children from his marriage to Carolyn.
Paul grew up with eight sisters in a small farmhouse just outside of Quincy. He attended St. Anthony’s school through eighth grade. There was no school bus to transport him to high school and he was often needed to help on the family farm, as was common in those days, so he was unable to attend high school. When he turned 16, he began working at a shoe factory, but he continued to help his family by working on their farm. Paul then served in the United States Army for two years. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Quincy and married Charlene Peters and started a family. Paul supported his family by working two jobs: one as a bricklayer and the other as an employee of Electric Wheel. He then was employed by the Quincy Herald-Whig as a pressman. While his four children were still young, he worked during the day and studied at night to further provide for the betterment of their family. He worked his way up the ladder to become a camera plate technician for the Herald-Whig and retired 32 years later.
Throughout his life, Paul always maintained his love for his family along with a wry sense of humor, which he often delivered with one line that made people laugh. Paul met all of his responsibilities straight on with hard work, perseverance, pride, and fortitude. Everyone that knew him liked him, because he was genuinely a wonderful, good man. He was also an ardent life-long Cubs fan.
After his retirement, he and Carolyn had fun delivering vehicles for Knapheide Manufacturing. He also enjoyed Dixie Land Jazz and traveled with his daughter, Tina, to the festival in Sun Valley where he and his wife, Carolyn, later attended several times. He and Carolyn also traveled to Oregon,theCzech Republic, Austria, and Alaska. They shared their love of animals, which included riding their horses and adopting two dogs.
Survivors include four children: Keith Stupasky of Wichita, KS, married to Susan Stupasky; Tina Stupasky of Eugene, OR, married to Bryan Lessley; Curt Stupasky of Eugene, OR, previously married to Angele Stupasky, now engaged to be married to Lisa Alsop; and Kelly Stupasky of Quincy, married to Amy Stupasky; eight grandchildren: Michael (Andrea), Brian, John (Crystal) Stupasky, all of Wichita, KS;Haley Stupasky of Portland, OR; Hannah Stupasky of Eugene, OR; Willow Stupasky of Los Angeles, CA; Carmen Lessley of Washington DC; and Ani Lessley of Eugene, OR; four great-grandchildren: Curtis, Victoria, Emma, and Tyson; one great-great-grandchild; two step-children: Brenda (Keith) Crawford of Baylis, IL, and Laura (Mark) Goehl of Steffenville, MO, and step-grandchildren: Keith (Amy) Crawford, Kristie (Shannon) Falb, Kara (Josh) Puterbaugh, Kayla (Jason) Carpenter, Kendyl (Philip) Armistead, Jennifer (Jason) Hermann, Alaina (Todd) Wagner, and Adam (Joan) Goehl; five sisters: Dorothy Klingele, Anita (Jerry) Eberhardt,. Bonnie (Kenny) Heming, and Debbie (Rod) Davis, all of Quincy; and Sally (Bob) Giles of Mundelein, IL; a brother-in-law, Lawson Faler of Quincy; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wives, Charlene and Carolyn, Paul was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters: Mary Kientzle, Janet Faler, and Nancy Engelmeyer, three brothers-in-law: Paul Engelmeyer, George Klingele, and Emmett Kientzle; and a step-son, Gilbert E. Feld, Jr.
Services: Visitation will be held from 9:00 to 10:50 a.m. with a funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 18, 2023, at St. Anthony Catholic Church.
Inurnment: St. Anthony Cemetery
Memorial donations may be made to Quincy Humane Society. Memorial Donations may be made online at https://memorials.hansenspear.com
Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.