Merwin R. Stalker Jr.

Merwin "Rusty" Stalker Jr., 67, of Painesville Township, passed away March 20, 2011, at his residence in Painesville Township. Born Aug. 17, 1943, in Painesville, he had been a lifelong Painesville Township resident. Rusty was a former president of the Chefs Club at Riverside High School, a U.S. Army veteran, which included working at the Pentagon, enjoyed fishing, was a collector of many, many things, member of a local metal detecting club, and a "Breakfast Group," and during retirement, Rusty and his wife, Darla took pleasure in spending several years at their home in Como, Colo., enjoying metal detecting and gold panning. Mr. Stalker retired as a member of the Ohio Operating Engineers Local 18, working many years for Schloss Materials. Survivors are his wife, Darla J. (nee Dory); daughter, Jaclyn Stalker; son, Jason (Kristen) Montague; grandchildren, Jack and Stella Montague, who admired their grandfather as "big papa belly"; sisters, Karren Bryson, Kristine (Jim) Treadwell and Kim (Larry) Kary; and uncles, Robert (Bertha) Stalker and Pete (Helen) Dominish. He was preceded in death by his parents, Merwin Sr. and Kathaleen Stalker. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Gattozzi and Son Funeral Home, 12524 Chillicothe Road, Chester Township. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 24, 2011, Gattozzi and Son Funeral Home. Burial will be in Western Reserve Memorial Gardens in Chester Township.