Funeral services will be held for John Robert Stermer, 75, of Arapaho at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Custer Avenue Church of Christ.

He died Thursday, May 2, 2019, at AllianceHealth Clinton.

Stermer was born Feb. 5, 1944, to John F. and Jessie (Tackett) Stermer in Elk City. He was raised in Arapaho where he lived with his grandparents, Robert and Emma Stermer. He attended Arapaho Schools and graduated from Arapaho High School in 1962. He continued his education at the Oklahoma School of Bankers in Oklahoma City and also at IBM School.

On Nov. 3, 1962, he married Gail Berry in Clinton.

Stermer was employed at the First National Bank in Midwest City and then returned to Arapaho.

He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1966 and served in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in 1967. He returned to Custer County, where he and his wife made their home in Arapaho.

In 1970 he was involved in a serious accident while riding a horse to round up cattle, which left him totally disabled for more than a year.

He later operated a cabinet shop and rock shop in Arapaho. He was then employed as a rural mail carrier and retired in 2009 after 15 years. Following his retirement he worked at Tornado Car Wash with Aaron Sauer.

Stermer was a faithful and active member of the Church of Christ. He enjoyed collecting, cooking, spending time with his grandchildren, watching western movies, and was an excellent fisherman.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; his parents; and a sister, Johnette Quintana.

Survivors include his wife, of the home; a son, Lane Stermer and wife Jill of Phoenix, Ariz.; a daughter, Shona Stermer of Arapaho; a brother, Steve Stermer and wife Janie of Clinton; and his favorite sister-in-law, Kathy Heard of Clinton.

He also is survived by three grandchildren, Callie Stermer and Clent Stermer, both of Phoenix, Ariz., and Lexy Stermer of Arapaho; and two adopted families, Monte, Dana Kent and family of Elk City and Harvey, Karen Cabaniss and family of Arapaho.

The family has suggested those wishing to give a memorial contribution may do so to the Custer Avenue Church of Christ Youth Group, 2601 Custer Ave., Clinton, OK 73601.

The service will be officiated by Patrick Peters. Burial will follow at Arapaho Cemetery under the direction of Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home.