Antelope Valley Press
Classification 1000
Obituary notices and memorials
These ads appeared in the Antelope Valley Press
Friday, July 17, 2009

JAMES JOSEPH STEGMAN Was born Aug. 23, 1920, in Offerle, Kansas. His parents were Alexander and Frances Stegman. He was the 6th son of 18 children. In 1940, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps as a Private. As he worked up in rank to Sergeant, he also was sent to pilot school. He received his wings in 1943, and soon after that, married Elinor Allison in Golden, Colorado. A few months later, he was sent to the South Pacific for 14 months duty in World War II flying dive bombers. In 1951, he was recalled to active duty in Korea where he flew missions in jets for 10 months and attained the rank of Major. In 1955, he became a civilian and was hired by Douglas Aircraft. In 1958, they assigned him to Palmdale Plant 42 as Chief Production Test Pilot. He was there for 21 years until the last of the A4 Skyhawks was rolled out. He retired in 1982. He is preceded in death by his wife Elinor by only 3 months. He is survived by 3 of his brothers, Rev. Leonard Stegman, Dr. Carl Stegman and Harvey Stegman, 2 sisters Betty Quigley and Stellie Huelskamp. He is also survived by his son John Stegman (wife Barbara) and his daughters Vicki Wilson (husband Bill), Peggy Meyer, Diane Stegman and Jeanie Stegman, 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Elks Lodge #2516 local, Moose Lodge #1926, VFW #3000, American Legion #311 and the Society of Experimental Test Pilots. His family is proud of his long accomplished life and will greatly miss him and Elinor and deeply appreciate the help of Hoffman Hospice. A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., with a video at 6:30 p.m., Vigil Prayer Service starting at 7:15 p.m., Monday, July 20, 2009, at Halley- Olsen-Murphy, Lancaster. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 21, 2009, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Lancaster. Interment to follow at Good Shepherd Cemetery.