Sept. 20 Obituaries of the Swannanoa Valley
John Rauschenberger
Swannanoa
John Rauschenberger, 79, of Swannanoa, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018 at the J.F. Keever Solace Center.
Born in Butler, PA to the late Norman and Lucille Hepler Rauschenberger, he graduated from Thiel College in PA and received his Masters degree at Duke University. He was an Entomologist with the US Forest Service, past owner/operator of Humpty Dumpty Shoe Store and later worked for Kenny Pipe and Plumbing Supply. He was a veteran of the US Army and a member of St. Marks Lutheran Church.
Survivors include his wife of fifty-four years, Beverly Blistan Rauschenberger; son, Norman Rauschenberger of Black Mountain; daughter, Lori Wilhelmi (Scott) of Swannanoa, and grandson, Jackson Wilhelmi.
A memorial service was held Sept. 15 at St. Marks Lutheran Church. Rev. Dr. William Trexler officiated.
Burial was on Sept. 14 at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Marks Lutheran Church, 10 North Liberty St., Asheville, NC, 28801; or to J.F. Keever Solace Center, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, NC, 28813.
Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Road is assisting the family.
William Martin
Black Mountain
William Robert Martin Jr., 84, of Black Mountain passed away peacefully on Friday, Sept. 7, 2018 at his home.
Penland Family Funeral Home is caring for the family.
Daniel V. Stupka
Black Mountain
Daniel Vincent Stupka died Saturday, Sept. 8, in Asheville, of complications from dementia.
He leaves his beloved wife of 33 years, Sydney Wilson and their family: Allison Stupka and husband Harry Fried of Ann Arbor, MI, Brian Wilson and wife Doreen Matters of Hillsborough, NC, Rob Wilson and wife Marla Annen of Rogers, AK, Amy Stupka and husband John Dzubay of Bloomington, IN, Andrea Burks and husband Adam Burks of Traverse City, MI, Jenny McPherson and husband Greg McPherson of Sylva, NC; and eight grandchildren: Bailey, Juliana, Mischa, Ivy, Silas, Zinnia, Lachlan and Lily. He will also be missed by friends and family in Chicago (Karl and Karla), Traverse City, Asheville, and Salida, CO.
Dan was born to Mary and Vincent Stupka in Chicago in 1934. He attended Beaubian and Prussing grade schools and Steinmetz High School. Dan played basketball for Michigan Tech (1952-53) and Northern Michigan University (1954-56). During summers he worked as a seasonal ranger on Isle Royale.
He was stationed in California and Hawaii in the Marines Corps from 1956-58 and in the reserves until 1964. Dan received his Masters in Education from Michigan State University and taught chemistry and earth science at Traverse City Central from 1966 until 1982. He then operated an energy efficiency consulting business in western North Carolina, where he worked with private and municipal utilities and manufacturers. Dan became a glass artist after retiring. He enjoyed hiking, geology, skiing, biking and time with friends and family.
A celebration of life will be held at 4 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018 at Givens Highland Farms in the Assembly Room. There will be parking available outside of the Assembly Room. A private family service will be held at a later date.
Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army at 204 Haywood Street, Asheville, NC 28801.
Penland Family Funeral Home is honored to be caring for the Stupka Family. The online memorial register is available at www.PenlandFamilyFuneralHome.com.
Elizabeth Butler
Johnson City, Tennessee
Elizabeth J. Butler passed away on Aug. 19, 2018. Elizabeth was born on Oct. 27, 1924 in Asheville. In 1950 she married Bill Butler.
She worked for Dr. James Love and was a faithful member of Black Mountain United Methodist Church.
Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, sister Sarah, brother Richard, and husband Bill. She is survived by her daughters: Mary Maercklein of Newberry, SC (grandsons Vance of Mankato, MN and Peter of Madison, TN and daughter Nancy (Ernest) Campbell of Johnson City, TN (grandchildren Will of Isle of Palms, SC and Ben and Martha of Johnson City, TN). Thanks to special friends Mary and Freddie Robinson, Cecilia Adams, and members of the Sarah Circle.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 22, at noon at Black Mountain United Methodist Church with Rev. Michael MacDonald and Rev. Rick Mills officiating. A reception lunch will be immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Memorial Fund at Black Mountain United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 517, Black Mountain, NC 28711 would be appreciated.