VENICE, Fla. – John Milan Stookey, 90, Venice, Fla., and formerly of Leesburg, died Sept. 23, 2014. He was born Oct. 1, 1923, to Frederick and Leora Martin Stookey. On June 16, 1945, he married Karolyn Patricia McConnell, his wife of 68 years, who preceded him in death. He grew up on a family farm in Leesburg and was a lifelong admirer of things that fly. He left the farm to serve as a flight mechanic in the 60th Fighter Squadron of the Army Air Corps. The squadron received the Distinguished Unit Citation while on campaign in Tunisia, and he left Europe as crew chief on a P-47 in 1945. He was a pilot and a lifetime member of the Experimental Aviation Association. A master mechanic, woodworker and natural engineer, he was most happy using his hands; they showed the scars of a lifetime of thoughtfulness and patience. His family traveled in cars and airplanes he restored, sailed in boats he built and told time by clocks he crafted from trees he felled. Oh, and he did love a good game of euchre. His curiosity and innate sense of play lived in his wit and kindness rooted in God and salvation through Jesus Christ. Surviving are two daughters, Snowden (and Bill) Mowry, Venice, and Carol (and Paul) Stookey-Naas, Sarasota, Fla.; a brother, Martin (and Lorene) Stookey, Leesburg; a sister, Oma Mae Eppley, Nappanee; three grandchildren: Miles (and Jen) Mowry, Venice; Katie (and Ginn) Mowry White, Bel Air, Md.; and DJ (and Niki) Mockler, Pendleton; and five great-grandchildren: Lexi Mockler; Owen and Annabel Mowry; and Garrett and Lydia White. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Diana K.; a brother, Robert; and a sister, Mildred Teeple. A casual gathering to remember him is planned today at Service Club Park, Venice. Burial will be scheduled later at Violet Cemetery, Goshen.
