Heaven has gained two angels, and the rest of us have gained two very special guardian angels. James Lester “Jim” Stauder and Nancy Ruth (Copeland) Stauder passed away together on vacation, as they always were, on April 15th, 2022. Jim was 67 years old and Nancy was 64.
Nancy was an amazing and inspiring wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. She simply cared more than anyone, and she would do anything anytime for anyone. Nancy truly dedicated her life to her family and friends, constantly providing and giving without the slightest ask in return. Nancy was a mother at her core, for her two sons, Rusty and Randy, and anyone else who would let her. She was a nurturer until her last day and a Super Mom by all definitions, but Nancy also had a tremendously successful career. It is incomprehensible how she was able to do everything she did. When she retired in 2019, Nancy was the Senior Director of Communications at Mallinckrodt, where she played a critical role in their spinoff from Covidien, frequently working 80 hour weeks. She still made it to every last soccer and basketball game for her sons.
Jim was a caring and passionate husband, father, son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. Jim was a particularly unique person and lived life entirely on his terms until his last day. You will never find anyone like him. He possessed an admirable degree of, often hilarious, candidness – he would tell it like it was and he would ask you anything without a care in the world. Jim was a remarkable role model for his two sons in how to be a father – he passed to them his undying love for sports and music, constantly provided valuable advice even when unsolicited, and he was a trusted friend but also played the bad cop to Nancy’s good cop when necessary. Jim had a number of careers, from the sign business to the roofing business, but finally found his passion in business brokerage and advisory which allowed him to draw on his diverse knowledge. Jim was the CEO of Biz Owner Advisors and Founder of the How to Plan and Sell a Business website. When he passed, Jim was working on his final deal before he would retire.
Nancy and Jim were world travelers and had elaborate travel plans for their retirement, which their family and friends will certainly be fulfilling for them. Together they had traveled to an impressive 6 continents, 57 countries, and 45 U.S. states, each trip extensively planned by Nancy in 15 minute increments. When they passed, they were heading to the beach for their 3rd vacation of 2022, living life to the fullest.
The loving couple are survived by their children, Russell Stauder (wife Karishma), Randall Stauder (girlfriend Kaitlyn); Nancy’s father Vernon Copeland and Jim’s mother Marilyn Massey (husband Delbert); Nancy’s brother Mark Copeland; Jim’s sisters and brothers Margie (Ralph) Wasielewski, Mary (Hank) Spencer, John (Joanie) Stauder, and Jeff (Tina) Stauder; Jim’s Massey step-siblings; 11 nieces and nephews; and countless lifelong best friends. Nancy and Jim are preceded in death by Nancy’s mother Hazel Ruth Copeland, Jim’s father Jack Stauder, and their best friend Donald Hasler.
Visitation will be held at Kutis Affton on Sunday, April 24th from 4-8pm. A memorial mass will be held at St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church on Monday April 25th at 10am (live streamed at https://stjustinmartyr.org/youtube), followed by burial at Resurrection Cemetery, and a Celebration of Life at Sunset Hills Community Center at 12pm. In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to the Gary Sinise Foundation or the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation.