Ann F. Stemple

Ann Focke (Mischler) Stemple, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend and beloved daughter of God, died of complications related to dementia on August 8, 2023.

Ann was born September 18, 1929 in Dayton to Elmer and Marie Focke, one of 6 children, growing up in the big, green house on Oakwood Ave. with a brook running through the property. The kids raised ducks in the spring house, collected watercress in the stream and had adventures playing in the tunnels that ran underneath the street. She attended Oakwood Schools and later with her four sisters, attended Georgetown Visitation Junior College in Washington, DC graduating in 1950.

She came back to Dayton and while working at a law firm, met James J. Mischler, Jr. of Troy. They were married on June 9, 1956 (the same year 3 of her sisters were also married) at Emmanuel Catholic Church. Ann and Jim raised their five children on Hadley Road in Oakwood surrounded with dozens of wonderful neighbors. Ann volunteered with the Junior League, The Little Exchange, the PTA and later with a program to teach reading to illiterate adults.

For many years, Ann played tennis every chance she could get at the Dayton Country Club and the Dayton Indoor Tennis Club. She perfected her deadly alley shot to become DCC Champion in 1976. Ann also played platform tennis at DCC and used the same alley shot to defeat many opponents. She was a devoted Catholic attending first St. Albert's Church and later Holy Angels. Her faith was very important to her; her rosary a constant companion especially in later years.

In 1987, Ann married Bill Stemple and moved to Sea Girt, NJ. Every summer the children and grandchildren would visit Sea Girt and play many rounds of bocce ball, pick- up beach games, swim in the ocean and enjoy cookouts on the back porch. Ann volunteered with the Visiting Nurses Association and to "hold the babies" at a single mother's support group. She also sang in the church choir and was an involved parishioner at St. Mark's Catholic Church located two blocks from their home.

After Bill's death, Ann stayed in Sea Girt and participated in a women's prayer group which she loved. Through her friend Bob Wells, she developed a love of croquet; she quickly mastered the game and won many rounds on trips to Florida to compete.
In 2012, Ann moved to Lincoln Park Manor in Kettering where her sister, Connie Breen, also lived. Ann loved her friends at Lincoln Park, taking many walks around the neighborhood, going to concerts at the Fraze and visiting with the other 3rd Floor gals after dinner.

Brookdale of Oakwood became her next home in 2016 and again she made many friends amongst the staff and residents. We are grateful for the care she received and the love she was surrounded by at Brookdale.

Ann is survived by her five children and their spouses: Jim Mischler, Bill Mischler, Dave (Mande) Mischler, Fred (Lisa Wolfe) Mischler, Margo (Jim) Philbin; her three stepchildren and their spouses: John Morris, Don (Cathie) Stemple and Steve Stemple and 13 adored grandchildren: Kara Morris, Beth (Jay) Motley and children, Lila, Jack, William, Emma; Katie Morris, Julie Peiffer and Kevin ( Lorena) Morris and daughters Lucia and Maya, Christie (Nelson) Bozzelli and her children, Gemma and Tony, Andy (Katie) Stemple and Will (Mariah) Stemple , Gavin (Joanna Guo) Mischler and Meriel Mischler, Lucy (Jake) Carlson and Rose Philbin and Bram and Phoebe Mischler along with many nieces and nephews, and special friends. Ann became a great-grandmother on August 2, 2023 with the birth of Asher Joseph Carlson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Stemple, step-daughter, Susan Morris and five siblings.

The family is deeply grateful to all her care providers, her visitors and friends who kept Ann in their prayers during these years of memory loss. You all helped her to live well, to love and to be loved.

Family will receive guests from 9:00 - 10:00 am on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at Holy Angels Church (1322 Brown St, Dayton, OH 45409). A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:00 am with Fr. Len Wenke, Celebrant and assisted by son-in-law, Deacon Jim Philbin. Ann will be laid to rest following Mass at Calvary Cemetery, Dayton.

Contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org) and/or Brunner Literacy Center (www.brunnerliteracy.org), in Ann's memory.

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