Raymond L Stuhlmiller

Raymond will be greatly missed by those who love him.

Born August 31, 1932, in Cashmere, Washington, to Edward and Hulda (Schuh) Stuhlmiller, Raymond grew up on a pear/apple orchard in the Pine Flats area south of Dryden until he was 7. After his family moved to the dryland wheat ranch above Trinidad outside of

Quincy, he attended the elementary school at Crescent Bar. In the winter when they were snowed in, Raymond and his sisters would be taken by horse-drawn sleigh to Trinidad to meet the bus for elementary school either at Quincy or Crescent Bar. At Quincy High School, Raymond enjoyed playing football and was a four-year letterman on the football team.

Inducted into the United States Army after high school and trained in heavy artillery, he served in Korea and was honorably discharged in 1954. Raymond then worked locally on the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project and helped on the Priest Rapids Dam project until he left for college.

Raymond attended Central Washington College before transferring to and graduating from Eastern Washington College in December 1959 with a bachelor's degree in economics. It was at this time that Raymond and Johanna met and agreed to attend the Ice Capades show together in Spokane, Washington in January 1960. After leaving school, he then returned to farming with his father, Edward, on the Trinidad ranch and farmed until his retirement in his mid 50’s. Midway through his career, Raymond purchased a farm on the Frenchman Hills and farmed both it and the Trinidad ranch until he returned the Trinidad ranch to his uncles’ families. Before his farming career ended, Raymond sold his Frenchman Hills farm and purchased a 360-acre irrigated farm to retire on.

In November 1960, and after dating her for almost a year, Raymond married Johanna Eberl and brought her to the ranch where he was farming wheat with his dad, Edward. Living there until 1967, they then moved into their new home in Quincy. He and Johanna had 3 children, David, Michael and Heidi. Raymond was a patient and thoughtful husband and father. Through the years they enjoyed their shopping trips, snow-skiing, attending many family functions, flying together, taking a Sunday drive around the Quincy area, and doing different things with their family and friends.

After marrying Johanna, a girl from Bavaria in Germany, Raymond made sure that he and Johanna were able to travel to Germany as they wished. He very much enjoyed his times visiting with Johanna’s family and traveling throughout Germany. He had many stories of their travels, all told with a sweet recognition of his in-laws in Germany. Dad loved Johanna’s family very much and he always looked forward to seeing her family again.

In his later years, Raymond took up an intensive study of the writings of noted Lutheran theologians and of the various writings of Martin Luther. He enjoyed his readings and shared much of what he learned with his family. For his wife and children, Raymond was a strong spiritual leader, and he welcomed any opportunity to share his faith with his family. He also enjoyed serving as an elder in church and helping where he could.

One of the great loves of Raymond’s life was his time spent flying his airplane. Earning his pilot’s license and then later his instrument rating, he flew to various places throughout the United States. Dad greatly enjoyed flying many other family members and friends of his to different places for various activities – even if it was just for dinner – and nice times. Raymond flew his airplane anytime the opportunity arose.

Other enjoyments of Raymond’s life included fishing, woodworking, gardening and Johanna’s good cooking.

As his life approached its final days, Raymond could be found now and then taking a drive to the farm or around the Quincy area looking at how the community was changing. He was so impressed with Quincy’s growth and development, and he enjoyed watching it all take place day after day.

Raymond was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Johanna (Eberl) Stuhlmiller, his father and mother, Edward and Hulda (Schuh) Stuhlmiller and sister, Lois Nelson. He is survived by his son, David; son, Michael; daughter, Heidi Wurl (Rod); grandson, Jacob Deleeuw and his grand-daughter, Olivia Deleeuw. He is also survived by his loving sister, Edna M. Watters, and many nieces, nephews and cousins with whom Raymond shared such enjoyable times and for whom he held so much love.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Monday June 10, 2024, at the Old German Lutheran Church, located at 415 F. Street S.W. Quincy, Washington. A meal and graveside service will follow.

Please leave a memory for the family or sign the guestbook at www.scharbachs.com.

Scharbach’s Columbia Funeral Chapel, Quincy, is assisting the family with arrangements.