Paul Monroe Stubblefield, a Pearl Harbor Survivor, 106 years of age of Rochester, Illinois, formerly of Salem and Alma, IL passed away Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at Wyndcraft Assisted Living in Rochester, IL. Paul, his sister and brother went to live with their grandfather in Missouri after his parents died in the 1918 flu epidemic. He then moved to Salem where he worked at the Brown Shoe Factory for many years. In time, he married the love of his life, happily married for 65 years. He was drafted into the U. S. Navy in 1941 and was in Hawaii at the time Pearl Harbor was bombed. He was discharged from the Navy in 1945. He bought the Alma Hardware Store in 1950 He owned and operated it for 30 plus years. He loved hunting, fishing and bowling. He went to South Dakota pheasant hunting several times. He went fishing every chance he could get away from work. He bowled on several leagues. He belonged to the Salem Elk’s Club and the Salem Moose Lodge. He bowled in National and State tournaments. His team won several league championships. Paul also attended the Salem Presbyterian Church.
Graveside inurnment service will take place at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, April 17, 2021 at the Paradise Cemetery in Salem with the Salem American Legion Post #128 providing military honors. His daughter Susan (Russell) Boblitt and family invite friends to gather with them at the cemetery prior to the service hour to celebrate Paul’s life.
Memorials may be made to the Salem Presbyterian Church, Wounded Warriors or to the Donor’s choice and will be accepted by the Sutherland – Rankin Funeral Home, P.O. Box 97, Salem, IL 62881 (618) 548-1234, entrusted with the family’s care. It is important that you respect social distancing in accordance with the CDC and State of Illinois Phase 4 Revitalization guidelines. On line condolences may be left at sutherlandfuneralhome.com.
He is survived by his loving daughter Susan (Russell) Boblitt of Rochester, IL, along with 2 grandsons, Mike of Springfield, IL and Josh of Rochester, IL. Also two nephews.
He was born on February 5, 1914 in Twin Falls, Idaho, the son of William Finis and Dovey (Arnhart) Stubblefield. He married Vella “Doris” Leone Layman on August 12, 1939. She preceded him in death April 8, 2005. Proceeding him in death in addition to his wife and parents are his sister, brother and one nephew.
