OBITUARY

Fred Stobaugh

August 22, 1917 – November 23, 2016
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Fred Stobaugh

Fred Stobaugh, 99, of Peoria, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, November 23, 2016, at the OSF Richard Owens Hospice Home in Peoria. He was born on August 22, 1917, in Peoria to Fred and Elizabeth (Clark) Stobaugh. He was married to Lorraine B. Dinquel on June 26, 1940, in Peoria. She preceded him in death on April 26, 2013, in Peoria. He was also preceded in death by a son-in-law, Rocky Hemp Sr., one sister and two brothers.

He is survived by two daughters, Marcy Hemp of Bartonville and Valarie (Mark) Mason of Peoria; four grandchildren, Rocky (Anne) Hemp Jr., Angie (Jeff) Brabson, Sarah (Alex) Schreiber and Samuel Mason; five great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter. He is also survived by one brother, Donald Stobaugh of St. Louis, Missouri.

Fred was a delivery driver for over 30 years at the West Bluff Cleaners, retiring in 1975. He was a member of the Teamsters Union. He loved gardening and his love for his family was of the utmost importance in his life. In the fall of 2013, Fred captured the hearts of millions when he wrote a song for his late wife titled “Oh Sweet Lorraine.” Fred was honored as ABC Person of the Week and credited as the world’s oldest songwriter to top the Billboard charts.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM Tuesday, November 29, 2016, at the Davison Fulton Bartonville Chapel. Pastor Harold Greene will officiate. Visitation will be Monday evening from 5pm to 7pm at the funeral chapel. Burial will be in the Lutheran Cemetery in Peoria. Memorials may be made to the OSF Richard Owens Hospice Home in Peoria. You may create an online condolence at www.davison-fultonbartonvillechapel.com.

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  • Visitation

    Monday, November 28, 2016

  • Funeral Service

    Tuesday, November 29, 2016

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Fred Stobaugh

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Gerry Poe

May 6, 2020

Fred,
Never knew you or any of your family. I ran across your video on YouTube about your wife. The song was amazing and it swoll up my heart and teared me up! I will listen to it often. Hope you are enjoying glory with your wife!

Phillip Hedrick

April 21, 2019

I just found out that Fred had passed on. The video of him showing the world what true love is made me change myself. Thank you Fred and now you and Lorraine will be together forever.

P Huffman

December 22, 2017

Thank you Fred. You've shown the world what true love is. I'm sorry that the world has lost you, but so happy that you have reunited with the love of your life.

Samantha G

August 26, 2017

Dearest sweet Fred I too came across Sweet Lorraine a couple years ago, and purchased from Itunes but did not know about Took Her Home.( just purchased this one too) Oh my, such tenderness, such love, no doubt you are reunited with your sweet Lorraine. You blessed us all with your love, thank you....

Gaby Garcia

August 1, 2017

I just finished watching A Letter From Fred: The Complete Story and was searching on where I can send Fred a letter when I came across his obituary. There has not been a time when I've listened to Sweet Lorraine without crying.

Troy Perkins

July 3, 2017

Thank you Fred; your story has actually helped me with a poem I've been working on to recite at a retreat this fall. It is centered around God's grace and watching your videos really touched me and helped the words flow for God's grace, his love and the gifts he gives us everyday. God bless the family and friends I know miss you deeply. You are a wonderful man.

Ainsley Demesster

January 23, 2017

Hi Fred I watched your video I've actually watched them quite a few times it's really awesome I hope I can live a life as long as you have that's awesome that you wrote a song Oh Sweet Lorraine for your wife Lorraine and just today I watched the other one took her home congratulations buddy! I have both of them on Spotify see you guys soon one day!! :( <3

Mark Farist

January 18, 2017

I am so sadden by the loss of your dear Fred. I am a high school health teacher in Georgia at a large metro Atlanta high school, Sequoyah High. Each semester I use Fred's wonderful love story as a teachable experience of marrying the right person and how that brings an individual such a high quality of life. The students in my health education classes are so touched, some even to tears, when they reflect on this great love story. As a family, may God continue to bless you all for your willingness to share this sweet man's story with the world.

Meg Johnson

January 9, 2017

I did not know you personally but I knew your songs and the story of your wonderful life that you shared with your "sweet Loraine". I just lost my husband of 45 years on New Years Day and hope I can grieve with the same dignity you showed. My sympathies to your family.

Julie Smithson

January 9, 2017

Like many, I never met Fred or his sweet Lorraine, but my heart was enriched by his story and song. God is so good, to gift the world with this man and his love, and make a way for his love to be shared worldwide!

FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
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FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY