Rosalie Stohler

September 12, 1939 – October 21, 2022

My Mother, Caroline Rosalie Stohler of Tampa, Florida died unexpectedly but peacefully Friday October 21st at her home. She was 83. Mom was born in New Castle in Henry County, Indiana on September 12, 1939, to parents Lloyd and Mary (Coomes) Stomm.

Rosalie attended grade school and high school in Hagerstown, Indiana, graduating in 1957. She worked several jobs over the years, one was for Welliver’s Smorgasbord, which at that time, was just a small restaurant on main street in Hagerstown. She also worked at the Perfect Circle Piston Ring Corporation in Hagerstown.

Rosalie married Francis Stohler on November 27, 1959; they lived in the Hagerstown area. During this time Rosalie had her only child, a son, me - Steven Stohler, in November of 1966.

She assisted with Francis’s business, Stohler Landscaping, as financial advisor, accountant, landscape design and layout plus numerous other things. However, in the mid 1970’s she purchased a dress shop in Hagerstown, later called The Heritage Toggery. This was her claim to fame as she was welcomed and adored as a Hagerstown female business owner. The husbands would come to her store from far and wide to get items for their wives. Rosalie had quite the following and reputation of honesty, integrity, beauty, and class. As her son, I would spend many a Friday, Saturday or Sunday helping in back with packages, clean-up, and such. The shop was always busy with clients both local and ones that came in to eat at Welliver’s or that attended The Nettle Creek Players shows in the summer.

Economic conditions led to a move to Tampa, Florida in 1986 where mom and dad both enjoyed the warm and sunny Florida weather. Rosalie went to work at the local First Florida Bank in Tampa which eventually ended up being Bank of America. She worked there as a teller, then a lead on the floor and most of her career in customer service. She retired from the bank and spent many years with Francis and her three granddaughters.

After dad passed in 2020, she spent her time keeping up the formal garden at their home. She enjoyed planting fresh flowers and had many hanging baskets with annuals each year, orchids, Christmas cactus, etc. She loved interior design and was always painting the walls and moving furniture around. She enjoyed drawing, coloring, and reading books. She was full of life, took diligent care of herself and was always busy. Her passing was unexpected as we all felt we had many years left with her, but God had other ideas. As her son I was blessed with a wonderful loving and strict mother that prepared me for my journey in life, later in life she was always a great person for advice and guidance for me and my family. Her lovely personality and support will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her son Steven Stohler (Amy) of Lutz, FL. Granddaughters, Shelley Stohler, of New Castle, IN, Savannah C. Stohler and Sierra A. Stohler, both of Lutz, FL. Nephews Bill Sutherland (Pam) of Hagerstown, IN, Mike Sutherland (Stacey) of Hagerstown, IN, in-laws Mary Louise Adamson of Hagerstown, IN, Richard Stohler (Marilyn) of Tampa, FL, Gale Stohler (Lana) of Carmel, IN, and several nieces and nephews. Rosalie was preceded in death by her father, Lloyd Stomm, her mother, Mary (Coomes) Stomm, her sister Margaret (Stomm) Sutherland, her brother-in-law James Sutherland and her husband, Francis Stohler.

Memorial service will be held on November 12, at 2:30 pm, Blount & Curry Funeral home, 3207 West Bearss Ave., Tampa Florida. The family will receive friends one hour prior at 1:30pm.

Graveside service will be held in Hagerstown, Indiana on December 13th, at 2:00 pm at Brick Church Cemetery (weather permitting).