Emil Lee Stinger, Sr.

Emil L. Stinger, Sr. passed away on Friday, March 20, 2026 at home with his beloved family by his side. He was born in Brownsville, PA on January 25, 1949, son of the late Philip W. and Mildred (Diehl) Stinger. He was the youngest of 14 children.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers: Philip “Bill”, Eli, Joseph “Joe”, and Walter; sisters: Cleota Grant, Ruth Prugh, Mildred “Vi” Novasel, Doris Wolfe, Mary Louise Pascale, Thelma Arneson, Clara Bohatch, and a sister Shirley in infancy.

He graduated from Brownsville Area High School, Class of 1967. He ran track in Junior & Senior High and received numerous awards.  He managed Little League Baseball in Brownsville and was a Cub Scout Leader. He worked at Maple Creek Mine for 34 years until retiring in 2005. He was also a member of UMWA Local 1248.

He is survived by his wife and high school sweetheart, Geraldine (Palaisa) Stinger; sons, Emil Stinger, Jr. and wife Tina, and Brian Stinger; grandchildren Eric, Jordan (Kaitlyn), Dylan (Taylor), and  Lucas, who are the children of Emil, and Brian (Brittany), Jacob “Jake” (Tiffany), and McKenna, children of Brian; great granddaughters: Lennyn, Ellie and Baylen; and his puppy Jesse. He was loved dearly by his grandsons and granddaughter (his “Sweetie Pie”) and great granddaughters, who never failed to show him how much he was loved.  He was also survived by one sister, Wanda Field and numerous nieces and nephews. We will miss him terribly and he will always be in our hearts. A special thank you to his friends, Harry Rutherford, Gary Patterson, Mike Crouch, Tony DeFabbo, and Jess Parnell for calling him friend. Thank you to Allegheny General Hospital doctors and nurses and Amedysis Hospice Care for the care and comfort they provided to our family.

Family and friends will be received at The Skirpan Funeral Home, 135 Park Street, Brownsville, PA 15417 on Tuesday from 4 PM until the Blessing Service at 8 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Wounded Warriors Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256 or woundedwarriorproject.org, in Emil’s name. www.skirpanfuneralhome.com.