FORTIFIED WITH THE SACRAMENTS OF HOLY MOTHER CHURCH, PASSED AWAY MARCH 19, 2023 AT AGE 86. BELOVED SON OF RAY AND BERNICE STELZER, LOVING HUSBAND OF CAROLYN (NEE Ranzini) STELZER FOR 62 YEARS, FATHER OF RAYMOND (FREDA), JOHN, MICHAEL (PEGGY), ROBERT, MATTHEW (GAIL) STELZER AND JACQUELYN (PETER) WRIGHT. GRANDFATHER OF 12, CHRISTOPHER, IAN AND ROBERT WRIGHT, MADELINE, AUDREY, PHILLIP, DANIEL, MARTIN, MAX, DORA, EMILIA AND LEO STELZER. GREAT GRANDFATHER TO AVERY WRIGHT. BROTHER, BROTHER-IN-LAW, UNCLE, GREAT UNCLE, COUSIN AND FRIEND TO MANY. JACK WAS BORN AND RAISED IN THE DOGTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD OF ST. LOUIS. HE ATTENDED SOUTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL WHERE HE PLAYED BASEBALL AND FOOTBALL. HE PROUDLY SERVED IN THE US ARMY FROM 1956-1959. JACK WORKED AT ANHEUSER-BUSCH FOR 37 YEARS AS A LAB TECHNICIAN AND WAS A SHOP STEWARD FOR BEER BOTTLERS LOCAL 1187. HE ALSO OWNED AND OPERATED SEVERAL BUSINESSES INCLUDING STELZER PEST CONTROL, MAMA LOUISA’S DELI AND RANZINI’S PIZZA. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE HOLY NAME SOCIETIES AT ST. JOAN OF ARC AND ST. AMBROSE PARISHES, THE CRUSADERS CLUB, THE SOUTHWEST GARDEN NEIGHBOR HOOD ASSOCIATION (PAST PRESIDENT), THE 8TH WARD DEMOCRATIC CLUB, DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE, THE ITALIAN-AMERICAN BOCCE CLUB, ROLLO-CALCATERRA AMERICAN LEGION POST #15, AND FRATELLANZA. JACK PLAYED SOCCER FOR MANY YEARS ON DOROTHY’S LOUNGE AND THE BUDWEISER OVER 30 TEAMS. HE COACHED CYC AND PEPSI LEAGUE SOCCER AND CYC BASEBALL FOR MANY YEARS AND WAS A BOY SCOUT LEADER AND ADULT ADVISOR TO THE CYC YOUTH GROUP AT ST. JOAN OF ARC.
THE FAMILY WISHES TO THANK PATHWAYS HOSPICE AND THE SICK AND ELDERLY PROGRAM OF THE HILL FOR THE HELP AND SUPPORT THEY PROVIDED TO OUR FATHER THE PAST MONTHS AND WEEKS.
VISITATION IS FRIDAY MARCH 24, 2023 AT KUTIS AFFTON FROM 4-8 PM. FUNERAL MASS SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2023 AT 10:00 AM AT ST. AMBROSE CATHOLIC CHURCH. BURIAL TO FOLLOW AT RESURRECTION CEMETERY. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS PLEASE CONSIDER A DONATION TO THE SICK AND ELDERLY PROGRAM OF THE HILL.
Deepest sympathy to the family.
He will be missed.
Ron and Jean Puricelli.
Jack will be deeply missed by the Bonza family. He was a great cousin and friend to Ercole and Belinda for many years and very supportive to me when I moved here. He holds a special place in my heart. May you rest in peace Jack, and as my son Michael says, you’re now in heaven at peace with nonno Ercole and all of our dear ones.
I am deeply sorry for the loss of such a terrific man, I know he will be truly missed by all, such wonderful memories of a life well lived. He is an inspiration to all. Love and prayers to his family. I am sorry to have to miss his funeral but I will be praying with you.
Very sorry for your loss. Husband ,Father, Grandfather and Friend. Rest In Peace
My sincere sympathy and condolences to you and your family on the loss of your father. Praying you feel God’s love and comfort. He sounds like he was one heck of a man.
What a wonderful legacy he leaves behind in his family and through his device to others. My prayers and love are with all the family.
So sorry Jacque. I am not in town but my my heart is there. Prayers for your mom, you and your family.
Our sincere sympathy to Carol and family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
So sorry to hear of the passing of Jack. He was such a figure in the St. Joan of Arc community. He touched many lives and will be missed by both his family and friends.
Mike and Peggy—So sorry for your loss! May you find peace in your memories of your Dad!
Jenny Knapp
We want to express our sincere sorrow to Carol and all the family for the loss of Jack.
We have so many great memories with Jack and Carol when we all lived in
St. Joan of Arc Parish. Some of our children were in school, and Scouts with the
boys. They also played sports together, and Jack and John coached the teams together.
May God give you all strength to cope with his loss, and may he rest in peace.
To Judge Stelzer and family, earth’s loss is heaven’s gain, take comfort in knowing you will meet your beloved father again and his legacy lives on in you .
Mike, your dad sounds like a wonderful man who will be missed by many. Prayers for you and your family.
Sharon (Winterroth) Flanagan
Carol & Family,
We extend our deepest condolences to you and your family. I have great memories of visiting you and Jack for weddings when we were younger. I know his roots extend far throughout your community and he will be deeply missed, but his influence and memories are vast and will continue on.
Camron & Gulum
John
We are deeply saddened to hear of the loss of your Dad. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Carolyn, Ray, John, Mike, Jacque, Rob, and Matt,
We extend our prayers and sympathies to you and your families. Jack was a remarkable, selfless man who exemplified love and personified goodness. He impacted our sons’ lives through SLUH activities. May the strength of your faith bring you lasting memories and comfort. May Jack Rest In Peace.
Lou and Marilyn Dell’Orco–Louis, Michael, Philip
My deepest condolences to Carolyn and all of Jack’s beautiful family. I haven’t seen Jack in awhile but my favorite memory is when Jack attended an Arlo Guthrie concert together with his brother Carl and me…hesitantly I may say, and ended up having a great time! The 1st and only person I would ever campaign for. RIP Jack
Our condolences to Carol and the entire Stelzer family. Jack was a good guy, a good man and a trustworthy friend. He will be missed.
All of our love and prayers to the whole Stelzer family.
I am so grateful that I had an opportunity to meet Jack while working with John.
He was larger than life and I loved hearing the Judge and John tell stories about him.
His love for his family was felt the moment you met him.
Courtney and Nick Sakellaris
So sorry for your loss. Jack Stelzer was a great man to his entire family and a pillar of strength in the Ranzini family.
God bless and many prayers.
So terribly sorry to hear about Jack’s passing. May God bring his family some comfort through this difficult time.
St Joseph welcomed Jack on March 19. Deepest sympathy to Carol and family
Carolyn, Pat and write to express to you and family our sincerest condolences on the loss of your husband and father. We received a note from Pat Griffard passing on the information and the nice remembrance card; a beautiful verse.
Carolyn, a few memories: I am from Dogtown and got to know Jack around 1955. He had gone to Southwest HS as I believe you did. Pat also went there but was a couple years behind. I remember a car that Jack had which I rode in: probably a 1938 Chevy.
Around 1956, several of us joined up. Jack and Bud Pass went Army for three years and over to Germany. I know they played soccer over there. Me, Tommy and Kenny Nappier went into the Air Force for four. Pat Griffard went into the Marines for two. Several guys went into the Navy. Anyway, after we got out, we formed the Dorothy’s Lounge Soccer team.
Then I got married and Carolyn as you may remember, Jack had a bachelor party for me at your home. Thank you.
My work took us away from St. Louis to DC., New York and San Francisco. We live now in Wellington, Florida.
In reading the obituary, I note that you and Jack were married for 62. Well done!
Love. Hugs
Pat and Frank
Our deepest love, prayers and condolences to the entire Stelzer and Ranzini families. Cousin Jack always found a way to light up a room with his quick wit and his infectious smile. He was such a caring man and he provided a perfect example of how to live life to the fullest. We will certainly miss him. With love and prayers, the Quartermaines.
Cara Carolina, io e Carmen ti siamo vicini in questi tristi momenti. Ti abbracciamo forte.