William Mead Stapler

Wantage - William Mead Stapler, age 89, passed away on Friday, November 13, 2009 at Belle Reve in Milford, Pennsylvania. Born in Wilmington, Delaware to the late William and Ethel Stapler, he had graduated from Butler High School and had lived in Riverdale before moving to Wantage in 1984. He graduated from Casey Jones School of Aeronautics and worked at Curtis Wright in West Caldwell as a propeller specialist. Mr. Stapler had served in the United States Army Air Corps. as a Sargent during World War II. After the war, he worked at Reaction Motors and Bendix before starting his own business, Ramapo Instrument Company and later Mead Instruments Corporation in Wantage until he sold the company in 1991. Mr. Stapler was a member of the North Jersey Highlands Historical Society and had served as President for many years. He had served as the Editor of the journal, The Highlander for 18 years, was a member of the Minisink Historical Society, a member of the Walpack Historical Society, a member of the New England Antiquities Research Association (NEARA), a member of the Orange County Chapter, New York State Archeological Association, serving as a trustee and also Treasurer, and was a member of the Instrument Society of America (ISA). Mr. Stapler was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Mary R. Stapler on May 4, 2006. He is survived by his two sons, Peter Mead Stapler of Los Alamos, New Mexico and Thomas E. Stapler of North Kingstown, Rhode Island; his two grandchildren, Captain Sean Stapler, USAF who is currently stationed in Germany and Ryan Stapler of Newark, Delaware. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at the Pinkel Funeral Home, 31 Bank Street (Route 23), Sussex. Interment will follow at Pompton Reformed Church Cemetery, Hamburg Turnpike, Pompton Lakes. Friends may pay their respects to the family on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations may be made to Schoenstedt Humanitarian De-Mining Initiative, c/o Woodstown Friends Meeting, P.O. Box 13, Woodstown, NJ 08098. Online condolences may be offered to the family on www.PinkelFuneralHome.net