Robert "Jack" William Stine

Robert William “Jack” Stine, 94, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 4, 2018 at the Billings Clinic in Billings, Montana, surrounded by 4 generations of family. Jack was born in Worland, WY on April 15, 1924 to Daniel and Edna (Lewis) Stine. His family moved to Long Beach, CA, returned to Thermopolis, WY and then moved back to Worland, WY. He became interested in baseball with his brother’s encouragement at a young age.  He graduated from Washakie County High School in 1942, and enlisted in the Navy in 1943.  He was a seaman 1st class, and was assigned to the USS Suwanee. He played on a baseball team for the Navy. He was wounded in the Leyte Gulf Battle when a Kamikaze hit the carrier. He was one of 5 survivors on his deck. He recovered for 18 months in Farragut ID. He was the recipient of a Purple Heart. Following his honorable discharge, he spent a short amount of time working near his parents in Washington.

 He moved back to Worland for a short time, and then enrolled at Eastern Washington in Cheney, WA. He studied history and played college baseball. During his second year at college, he married the girl from Worland whose pigtails he had pulled in his school days. Bernice Lucille Lungren became his bride on December 27, 1948 in Worland WY at Zion Lutheran Church. The Lord gave them 3 children – Marsha Jean in 1951, Lisa Jo in 1953, and Rodney Jack in 1956.

Jack and Bernie’s faith in Jesus was an integral part of their lives. They both gave their lives to Jesus, which changed and influenced not only their family’s life, but the lives of many others, young and old alike.

 Jack loved baseball, the left-hander pitched for the Worland Indians and the Torrington team. He had a wicked curve ball.  He pitched against Billy Martin when Billy played for the Army team. Billy hit the ball so hard, Jack would say it was still in orbit. He also got to play against Satchel Paige. The Stine family went camping every weekend in the summer. They also hunted at the Lungren family ranch. They have enjoyed watching their family grow to now include 10 grandchildren, and 28 great-grandchildren.  They celebrated nearly 70 years of marriage this past September with almost all of their immediate family.

Jack worked as a bookkeeper for Pure Oil and Denny Plumbing. He purchased Denny Plumbing with 2 partners. He worked for Pony Express, and kept books for a rancher in Thermopolis. He worked at the hospital cleaning operating rooms. He got on with the city parks department, and worked for them until he was 90 years old.

He loved TV and entertained his mother-in-law by yelling up from downstairs about what was happening on the screen. He loved word searches, exaggerating his golf and cribbage scores. Jack loved to start each day with daily devotions. He loved going for drives to look for deer, and eating at Maggie’s café and at the Highway Café in Manderson.

Jack was preceded in death by both parents, stepfather Frank Kalisek, an infant sibling, brother Richard Stine, nephew Bobby Stine, and great-granddaughter Reagan Wagner. Also preceding him were 8 brothers in laws, 5 sisters in laws, a niece and a nephew.

He is survived by his wife, Bernie, and their daughters Marsha (Dan) Wagner of Billings, MT,  Lisa (Dale) Hartley of Worland, WY and son Rod (Debbie) Stine of Loveland , CO. They have 10 grandchildren: Jamie (Denny) Williams, Troy (Aimee) Wagner, Katie Wagner, Joshua (Tricia) Hartley, Anna (Jeremy) Carver, Jonathan (Brooke) Hartley, Mackenzie (Brandon) Ross, Alyssa (Sean) McDevitt, Christopher (Chelsey) Stine, and Brennan (Randi) Stine. They have 27 great-grandchildren: Ryan & Brooklyn Wagner; Taylor & Makenna Bailey, Donivan & Lailah Dixon, Chloe Wagner; Noah, Declan & Hudson Hartley; Elizabeth, Adrianna, Haylie, Emerie & Elijah Carver;  Easton, Amethyst & Sterling Hartley;  James, Peter, Silas & Martha Ross;  Joseph, Michael, Patrick, Thomas & Mariam McDevitt.

We appreciate all the wonderful care he received from Washakie Memorial Hospital, Guardian Flight Service, West Park Hospital in Cody, and the Billings Clinic.

Viewing for the public will be held from 1:00 – 3:30 pm on Friday, November 9th at Veile Mortuary on 301 South 8th St, Worland WY.  Viewing for the family will be from 4:00 – 6:00 pm the same evening.  A celebration of Jack’s life will be conducted on Saturday, Nov. 10th at 11:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 1500 Circle Road, Worland, WY. Graveside service with military honors immediately following at the Riverview Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be directed to either the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) or the Zion Lutheran Church ZEST fund, care of Veile Mortuary, P. O. Box 730, Worland, WY  82401. Arrangements have been entrusted to Veile Mortuary.

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