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Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday,    July 3, 2019, at Walnut Street Church of Christ for Mr. Rutherford B. “Tete” Stabler, 102, of Greenville, who passed away peacefully on Monday, July 1, in Greenville. Burial followed in Magnolia Cemetery. Minister Charles Box officiated. Visitation was held one hour prior to the start of the service on Wednesday, July 3.

R.B. was born in 1917 in the Wild Fork Community in Butler County, and grew up in Sand Cut and Forest Home. He entered the Army Air Corps in 1942, then was transferred to the 6th Army, 33rd Infantry Division, 130th Regiment, during World War II. During his service in the Pacific Theater, he was part of the occupation force in Japan until he was deactivated in 1946, following the end of the war.

After his discharge, R.B. worked for many years in Fort Deposit, Greenville and Montgomery in vehicle maintenance. A master mechanic, he could name every truck and car he ever purchased, the make, model, color and purchase price. He always said his favorite car was the black ’29 Model A Roadster with a rumble seat, accessorized with curtains ordered from Sears-Roebuck that snapped over the window openings to keep out the weather. He paid $125 for it in 1939.

His parents, Lloyd Napoleon and Mary Magdalene Pope Stabler; a brother, William Stabler; sisters, Pauline Pope and Claire Williams; his first wife, Mary Frances Gordon Stabler, and their son, Douglas Stabler, preceded R.B. in death.

Survivors include Doug’s wife, Peggy, and their daughter, Darla Stabler Rogers (Anthony) and grandchildren, Braxton, Gavin and Grayson; son, Stephen Stabler (Deborah) and their daughter, Della Killingsworth (Joel) and grandchildren, Allen, Ember and Oren. He is also survived by his wife of 33 years, Eleanor Davis Stabler, whose family he dearly loved, Patricia Hyatt (Darrell) and their children, Angie and Derek; Ed Starkie (Patricia) and their children, Ben, Hunter and Summer; Robert Starkie (Vickie, deceased) and their children, Mollie and Jenny, and Sandra Barnhart (deceased/Barney, deceased) and their children, Michele and Jennifer.

In addition to these family members, R.B. will be missed by numerous nieces and nephews; his church family at Walnut Street Church of Christ; his gang, The Hardee Boys and special friends and caregivers at Pine Needle Assisted Living and Alacare Hospice.

Pallbearers were Jimmy Jones, Bruce Cauthen, Wheeler Chance, Mike Bagents, Walter Johnson and Dennis Lowery.

The family is accepting flowers or in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Guyana Mission Fund, P.O. Box 551, Greenville, AL. 36037 or to a charity of your choice.

Dunklin and Daniels Funeral Home directed.