David 'Smokey' N. Stehly Dies at 79; Dr., Professor and Master Woodcarver

David "Smokey" N. Stehly, Capt. (US Navy), Dr., professor, and master woodcarver, 79, of Lower Nazareth Twp. died peacefully surrounded by his family, Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at his residence. He is the husband of Susanne L. (O'Connor) Stehly.

Born in Bethlehem on October 3, 1933 to the late Charles Glenmore Stehly and Anna Catherine (Worsley) Stehly, he was the baby of the family and the last of seven children. As a youth he enjoyed horseback riding, camping, hunting and fishing.

He served our country faithfully in the US Navy during the Korean War and the Gulf War and retired in 1992 as a Captain after 42 years of service. He considered the most significant event  of his life to be when he took Fleet Hospital 15 in the Persian Gulf. His service as a Corpsman led him to pursue a career in Chemistry. He earned a Bachelor Degree in 1959 from Moravian College, Master’s Degree and PH.D from Lehigh in Chemistry. He began teaching Chemistry in 1960 and retired as head of the Chemistry Department at Muhlenberg College in 1998.

He was a master woodcarver best known for his walking sticks. He was a member of National Chemical Society, various Navy Organizations and various Wood Carving Clubs.

SURVIVORS

In addition to his loving wife of 9 years last May; children: Glen H. (Kisha) Stehly and their son Cameron Stehly of Jacksonville, FL, Jason D. Stehly (Fiance Jennifer Phillips) of Clinton, NC, Ellen M. (Raymond) Butler and their children Alex, Joe, Hannah, Derek and Shane Butler of Stafford, VA, Timothy R. (Tracy) Cerniglia and their children: Claire, Ethan, Samantha Cerniglia of Colorado Springs, CO, Mark D. Cerniglia and his daughter Cameron Cerniglia of Allentown, Susan C. Cerniglia (Fiance Richard Kuonqui) of Rockville, MD, Jean Stevens and her daughter Samantha Westman of Vallejo, CA, Pamela (Matt) Stoutenburg and their sons Reiley and Reid Brannon of Lacey, WA, and his son Jack Weinsheimer Jr. who predeceased him; Jack's children are Neil Perry, Shelly Ann Ulmer, Yvonne Weinsheimer, Jack Weinsheimer III; 8 great grandchildren.

SERVICE

Family and friends are invited to call 7-9 p.m. Monday, March 25, 2013 at the Heintzelman Funeral Home, Inc. 326 Main Street – Hellertown. The service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Egner Memorial Chapel, Muhlenberg College, 2400 Chew Street, Allentown. The interment will conclude services at Bethlehem Memorial Park with military honors. Online expressions of sympathy can be recorded at: www.heintzelmancares.com.

CONTRIBUTIONS

Memorials to the VNA Hospice of St. Luke's, 1510 Valley Center Parkway, Bethlehem, PA 18017 and or David Stehly Research at Muhlenberg College, 2400 Chew St., Allentown, PA 18104.