Charles Austin Stemberger

Charles Austin (Pumpkin) Stemberger 

On August 2, 2023, Charles Austin Stemberger of Syracuse MO, passed away at the age of 80 years young. He passed away peacefully at his farm surrounded by his loved ones.

The second of five children, Charlie was born January 13, 1943 at a log home in Morgan Country, Missouri to Charles and Irene Stemberger. They did not have much, but it was then that Charlie learned how to live off the land. He graduated from Otterville High School in May 1960.

On January 18, 1964, he married Dorothy Battles and they bought a farm near Syracuse, built their home with their own bare bands and raised their three children: Troy, Terri Ann and Larry, until Dorothy passed in 1988.  Charlie worked 36 years as an ironworker throughout the Midwest during those early years and was well-known in creating structures such as the Truman Dam and the Royals Stadium.

“Pumpkin” (as many people called him) loved fishing! He’d sit for hours in a boat or on the bank and fish even when they were not biting.  He lived for the catch; it didn’t matter what type: catfish, crappie, snagging, he was always ready to go fish! His sons, Troy and Larry and his grandson Kyle Cobb, shared his love and they fished together every time they could.  He passed that love on to his grandchildren as well.   

He was always quite a story teller and loved to tell tall tales about being chased by a tornado, run over by his mom in her car, and being hit by lightning.  If he ran out of tales to tell, he would fill the silence with other stories from his formative years.

He met Pat Teague in 2001 at a dance one night and they have been inseparable since. Charlie and Pat both shared the love of dancing,and went dancing as often as they could.  

In his later years, he adored spending time with his kids and grandkids, especially watching them dance and play sports and would do anything to see them smile (including dressing silly and wearing nail polish to make his granddaughters giggle).  Sitting around the table in the evenings with his children and their spouses, Charlie made countless memories playing pitch but no one wanted to be on his team because he’d pout if he lost. He enjoyed hanging out with his daughter, Terri Ann and her family and relied on her to set him straight when needed.  He also loved traveling, especially going to the east coast to see his son, Larry and visiting Pat’s family.

Charlie also loved going to the casino with his step-son Davyjoe Teague, grandson Bryan Teague, and grand-daughter Samantha Hedrick.  They always had a good time.  Charlie always loved family.  He loved going to Davyjoe and Bev Teague’s home for a family dinner. 

During the winter, Charlie was always plotting his next garden and spent most of the spring and summer tenderly caring for it.  He’d get up before dawn to ensure frost had not ruined it and set traps to keep varmints away.  For years, he planted over an acre and relished in sharing his treasures with others.   

Charlie always loved to see others happy.  He would help anyone out and was generous (sometimes to fault).  Most of all, he loved being around people; it fueled his life. 

He was a proud member of Fortuna Baptist Church.

Survivors include: Pat Teague (of the home), Troy (Melisa) Stemberger of Cameron, MO, Terri Ann (Craig) Hutchison of Versailles, MO, Larry (Christina) Stemberger of Bluemont, Virginia. step-son Davyjoe (Bev) Teague of Versailles. Grandchildren: Kyle Cobb, Kylie and Ashley Hutchison, Elizabeth, Wyatt, Paige, and Barrett Stemberger, Dominic, Dylan, and Payden Teague, and Samantha Hedrick and great-grandchildren:  Kolten and Kimberly Cobb and Zoey Hedrick. Siblings: Ray (Mae) Stemberger, Roy (Mary) Stemberger, Jerry (Faye) Stemberger, Martha (the late Howard) Jones and countless other friends and family. 

Funeral services will be Saturday, August 26, 2023 at the Fortuna Baptist Church, Fortuna MO.  Visitation will be at 9:00 a.m. and services at 10:00 a.m. After the services the burial will be at the St. Andrews Catholic Cemetery in Tipton MO. 

Condolences may be shared at www.marklandyager.com.

Markland-Yager Funeral Home of New Franklin is honored to serve the Stemberger Family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charles Austin Stemberger, please visit our floral store.