Charles Edward “Charlie” Stottlemyer

Charles Edward “Charlie” Stottlemyer, devoted husband, loving dad and “Poppi”, faithful friend, successful businessman, and generous community leader, was called home to his Lord on March 20, 2025. He was 95 years old. Born on November 19, 1929, in Anderson, Indiana, just days before the stock market crash and the start of the Great Depression, Charlie was the second of six children and the eldest son of Garnet and Maggie Dee "Peggy" Stottlemyer. Raised on rural Ridge Road and surrounded by an extended family, his upbringing was humble but rich in resourcefulness, hard work, and a deep commitment to family and faith. His lifelong love for Sarasota, Florida, began on a family vacation in 1946 when he was just 16. Charlie graduated from Anderson High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Indiana University in 1951. A member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, he served as its President his senior year. A gifted athlete, he excelled in football, baseball, and basketball, playing on Anderson High School’s 1946 Indiana State Championship Basketball Team. His talent as a fast-pitch softball pitcher made him a valuable asset for any team, whether church league, fraternity or military intramurals, or semi-pro. Charlie attended Officer Candidate School and served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army during the Korean War, 195-1953. “One of the best decisions of his life” was his courtship and marriage to his beloved Dee in 1952. Two years later, they made Sarasota their permanent home. In 1954, Charlie, with the help of his Dad, founded Stottlemyer Lumber Company. His brother-in-law, John Shoemaker (married to sister, Jean), joined him in 1956, and the business was renamed Stottlemyer and Shoemaker Lumber Company. Known for their integrity, commitment to quality, and dedication to both customers and employees, the business flourished for 34 years until its sale in 1988. Charlie’s leadership in the industry earned him recognition as President of the Florida Lumber and Building Materials Dealers Association and "Lumberman of the Year", induction into the Florida Lumber Hall of Fame, and designation as an Honorary Member of the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange. He was also honored as "Business Man of the Year" by the Chamber of Commerce and Sarasota Herald Tribune in 1984. Beyond the lumber business, Charlie was involved in various commercial real estate ventures in the Sarasota area. Deeply committed to his community, Charlie invested his time, wisdom, leadership, and resources to make Sarasota a better place. He served as President of the Sarasota County Chamber of Commerce, Founder and President of the Argus Foundation, President of the Selby Foundation, Chairman of the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Foundation, Director of the FCCI Insurance Group for 40 years, Commodore of the Field Club, President of the Sarasota University Club, and Trustee of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Van Wezel Foundation, and Frank Berlin Foundation. He played a key role in local banking, serving on the boards of Palmer Bank, Southeast Bank, United First Federal, and Barnett Bank. In recognition of his lifelong dedication to Sarasota, he received the Argus Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award. A man of quiet and steadfast faith and a follower of Jesus, Charlie was an Elder and member of First Presbyterian Church for 70 years. He lived his faith through a life of integrity, love, generosity, wisdom, and kindness. Charlie's friendships were wide and deep, and spanned generations. He was a mentor to many, known for his wise counsel, fair treatment of others, and strong moral compass. He was an avid reader, loved playing golf and watching sports, and enjoyed traveling with Dee, friends, and family. Perhaps, more than anything, Charlie Stottlemyer was proud of his family. He recently celebrated 73 years of marriage with Dee. He was devoted to his four children and their spouses, and cherished his 15 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Family gatherings were a priority for him and Dee. Holidays drew the large, extended family together, including grandparents, aunts, uncles, and many cousins. Charlie is survived by his loving wife, Delores "Dee" (Ryan) Stottlemyer; daughters, Peggy LaRochelle (Peter) and Karen Eastmoore (Ted); sons, Kent (Kathy) and Joe (Laurie); grandchildren, Patrick LaRochelle (Anna), Ryan LeBlanc (Allan), Rachel Moore (Alex), Maggie Richards (Adam), Emily Weitekamp (Todd), Rebecca Walther (Eric), Evan Eastmoore, Marshall Eastmoore, Matthew Eastmoore, Brennan
Johnson (Matt), Rydell Stottlemyer, Joseph LaRochelle (Julia), Susanna LaRochelle (Wes), Emmett Stottlemyer, and Saylor Stottlemyer; 19 great-grandchildren (Abbie, Lilly, Zander, Luke, Charlie Mae, Miriam, Evelyn, Virginia, Mabel, Marguerite, Lily, Wells, Vivian, Emily Rose, Ted, Isaiah, Charlie, Emery, and Kinsley; brother, Stephen Stottlemyer (Terry); and dozens of Stottlemyer and Ryan nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Garnet and Peggy Stottlemyer, and siblings, Jean Shoemaker (John), Patricia Seybert, David Stottlemyer (Mary), and Michael Stottlemyer.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Friday, April 11, 1 pm, at First Presbyterian Church. A graveside service for the family will be held on Saturday, April 12. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to First Presbyterian Church, the Congo Health and Development Fund (give.serge.org, Project 19145), Sarasota Library Foundation, or Affinity Care of Sarasota (hospice). The family is deeply grateful for caregivers, Joycelyn Shipe, Lourdes Camarero, and Kim Gonzalez, and Affinity Hospice Care