Vilas Dale Stalnaker, age 95 years, formerly of Kerens, WV and recently a resident of Pensacola, FL passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at the Life Care Center of Pensacola. He was born February 6, 1925 near Monterville, WV a son of the late Alva Wade and Carolina Channel Stalnaker. Surviving is one daughter, Donna Sue Stalnaker and one son, Ronald Michael Stalnaker and wife Glenda, all of Pensacola, FL. Also preceding him in death was one daughter, Beverly Kay Stalnaker, one brother, Garnet Glen Stalnaker and five sisters, Maxine Winters Stalnaker who died at the age of three; Opal Fern Stalnaker Bennett, Freda Mae Ray Buehler, Nola Stalnaker Starcher and Jewell Gladys Stalnaker Hight. Mr.Stalnaker graduated from Tygart Valley High School, Davis and Elkins College and the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH. He also attended the Clarksburg Business College, Clarksburg, WV. During World War II, he served in the United States Army Air Force. Before being shipped overseas, during training, he suffered five fractured vertebras. Later, was shipped overseas to Hawaii and served in the Air Force Command. General Ord Rynn offered him a job but he chose to come home. He was employed by the Portsmouth Factory in Virginia. He also served as a Pastor in the EUB and Methodist Churches in West Virginia, Rio and New York. He was a lifetime member of the DAV and H.W. Daniels Post 29 American Legion. In his early years, he loved to hunt, fish and work on farms. A graveside service will be held at 1:30 pm Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at the American Legion’s Little Arlington Cemetery with Rev. Brian Seders officiating. Internment will follow. The Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for Vilas Dale Stalnaker.
