John Allen Stadler passed away in his sleep on June 19, 2025, at the age of 86. He was born at home in St. Louis on January 21, 1939. He was the son of John Otto Stadler and May (Harold Wessels Stadler) Kapp. John’s mom was married three times and divorced twice. She had three children—one with her first husband and two with her second husband. John was the youngest. His half brother, Ed Wessels, was 5 years older, and his sister, Alice (Stadler) Mollet, was 2 years older. John was with each of his siblings when they died, as they were very close.
John’s dad owned a bar and motel at Broadway and Lynch named “Stadler Hotel and Tavern.” His mom was an amazing cook (which is where John got his knack for cooking, especially her dressing and dumplings). She would cook for the bar. The business was later bought, half by the city to widen Broadway and the other half by Anheuser-Busch (AB) for a parking lot. After the bar was sold, John’s dad bought multiple rental properties and taught John how to fix things, which is a skill John passed on to his own son as well.
John met his wife, Mary Hormberg, at Roosevelt High School. Mary was a twirler, and John played cornet in the band. They married on June 29, 1963 and were just shy of their 61st anniversary when Mary died on June 6, 2024. After their wedding, they drove in John’s 1961 Chevrolet convertible to the Rose Bowl Parade in California where Walt Disney was the grand marshal!
John was a wonderful husband, dad, grandpa, and friend. He is survived by his son, John Allen Stadler II; his daughter-in-law, Cheryl Stadler; his granddaughter, Lily Stadler; and many more loving family and friends.
John was a kind, humble man who wouldn’t take credit for all he did and would observe those around him, and when he had something to say it was interesting and usually involved kidding. He had a brilliant, problem-solving mind and was able to fix many things. He stood up for what was right, would do anything for his friends and family, and was a hard worker. He was also a great example, passing on to his son and granddaughter the importance of working hard and saving to live a wonderful life.
John’s first job at 16 was at International Shoe Company, working with bundles of rolled up hide. However, growing up by AB, John always wanted to work there. In fact, his mom’s next husband, Al Kapp, gave AB a recommendation to get John hired. So many family members worked there. In fact, Mary’s Great Uncle even drove the horse and buggy for Adolphus Busch as his chauffeur around the city. John was later able to get his brother and sister jobs there as well. In fact, he inadvertently got an internship on the corporate side for his son because of Mary talking to the right person at an event for John’s 25th year of employment! John did about every job possible over the years. He would observe how people did other jobs, such as how to fix the bottles when they got clogged, so when he got a shot at doing the role, he knew just what to do. His favorite was loading train cars. A team of 5 men loaded 160-pound half beer barrels stacked three high with 200 pound blocks of ice from a conveyor line onto the train. He enjoyed getting strong and working with the guys. On top of his very physical job, John also helped out his son with his lawn mowing business and moved furniture for friends who owned a furniture store. He truly spent a lifetime exercising! John retired from AB after 36 years at the age of 60.
John was also in the Reserves for nine years, starting at age 17 at Ft. Leonard Wood. He was an Army Sergeant and a marksman rated excellent with pistols becoming a sharp shooter with rifles and earning many medals. He also shot bazookas and even volunteered to carry the machine guns because they were so heavy. He also worked on machinery such as bulldozers and diggers when he switched to Jefferson Barracks as an engineer. Every year they would load equipment on big trucks for training, and he would drive.
John and Mary enjoyed spending time at their property in Greenville, Missouri, which was originally a land grant from President Buchanan to Mary’s family in 1863. They loved it there, so he kept buying the surrounding land and grew it to 250 acres. It includes the log cabin built by Mary’s grandfather, in addition to a house they built about 20 years ago.
John was so glad that with Mary’s urging, they did a lot of traveling, including going on numerous cruises around the world and driving to all 48 contiguous states in their 1966 Chevrolet Impala that is still owned today! On one trip to Florida, John and his son were swimming when they heard screams from a man and woman who were caught in the undercurrent. John was closest to the wife, so he got her out, and then John along with another man rescued the husband, which was much more difficult. What a blessing he was there and strong enough to save them! In fact, John was a great blessing to all those who knew him!
Visitation will be Thursday, June 26, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and the funeral service will be Friday, June 27, at 10:00 am, both at Kutis Affton Funeral Home, 10151 Gravois. Interment will follow the service at St. Trinity Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to his church, Hope Ev. Lutheran Church. Hope Lutheran Church Memorial Fund