Ferdinand Miller Stauch Jr.

Ferdinand Miller Stauch Jr., 95, of Greencastle, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015.

The son of Ferdinand Miller and Frances Marie McAvoy Stauch, he was born on his grandfather's farm near Cloverdale, and was a 1937 graduate of Greencastle High School.

A career soldier, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam Conflict.

His wartime assignments included service with the 32nd Infantry Division in the Papua Campaign in New Guinea and with the Burma guerrilla unit "Merrill's Marauders" during World War II. In the Korean War he was assigned to Headquarters, First U.S. Army Corps.

Mr. Stauch was a highly decorated soldier receiving a total of 24 medals, including the Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars.

Following his retirement from active duty, Mr. Stauch was employed by Department of the Army as the information representative for the XXI Army Corps, then as the public information officer for Fort Benjamin Harrison and later as the information officer for the U.S. Army Finance and Accounting Center.

He retired from civil service while serving as chief, Public Affairs Office, Chicago District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

A former member of the Indianapolis and Chicago Federal Executive Boards and Press Clubs, he held lifetime memberships in the Disabled Veterans Association, the Burma Star Association, VFW Post 1550 and the Merrill's Marauders Association.

He was a past Indiana State Commander of the China/Burma/India Veterans Association and held memberships in the Greencastle American Legion Post 58, and Elks Lodge 1077.

He was also the co-founder and past president of the Lawrence National Exchange Club.

Mr. Stauch and his wife Mary Florence (Albin) owned and operated a number of businesses in Indianapolis and Greencastle, including the former Down Beat Record Shop, a Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio and Beauty Boutique and Towne Beauty Shops.

Mr. Stauch was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Florence (Albin); son Douglas Miller Stauch; brother Gerald Stauch; and close friend of many years, Bobbie Bloomer.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Jo Dunn; daughter-in-law Brenda Jo Stauch; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life service and interment will be announced at a date to be determined.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Greencastle High School Alumni Scholarship Fund.

Arrangements are entrusted to Shirley Brothers Washington Memorial Chapel, Indianapolis.