Richard "Joe" Stamper

Richard “Joe” Stamper, 68, of Terre Haute, passed away on Monday, July 9, 2018, at the Gibson Family Center in Union Hospital, surrounded by his family. He was born on May 26, 1950, in Terre Haute to Thomas McCleery and Patricia Smithhart Smith.

Rick is survived by his fiancee’ and partner of 12 years, Susan Wilson of Terre Haute; children, Michael Richard Stamper of Terre Haute, Michelle Swiger (Mike) of Terre Haute, Jill Fitzek (Frankie) of Bloomington, Allison Emery (William) of Terre Haute, Cory Stamper (Kaila) of Libertyville, and Pete Wilson (Heather) of Terre Haute; grandchildren, Amanda Perry, Alexis Fitzek, Emma Warnock, Peyton Warnock, Mariah Hines, Kale Stamper, Taylor Hines, Ryley Emery, Lucy Bullock-Wilson, Kendall Wilson, Sophia Stamper, and Izsak Emery; brothers, Paul Scott (Deborah) and Norman McCleery (Kristie); sisters, Tammy Miller (Louie) and Vickie Vester (Ken); and many step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren, adopted sisters, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; adoptive parents, May and Joe Stamper; a son, Andrew Wilson; and brothers, Thomas McCleery, Johnny Michael Stamper, Dirk Elwood Stamper, Denny Scott, David McCleery, Billy Joe Scott, and Kenny McCleery.

Rick was a hard worker and loved every minute of it. As a teenager, he began working as a Whistler at the WigWam. He also worked at Old Days Restaurant and in the soda shop at Tracy Page Pharmacy. He joined the United States Army and was stationed at Ft. Meade in Baltimore. He was a self-taught carpenter and jack of all trades. He built and delivered mobile homes for Thomas Mobile Homes, Hoosier Homes, and Dreamland Homes. He also worked for the Vigo County School Corporation and St. Mary of the Woods. He used his various construction skills working for Encore Development. He later went to work in the maintenance department at Wyndmoor Senior Living, retiring in 2012. He loved being helpful and handy.

In his spare time, Rick enjoyed doing side jobs. He also liked to do crafts and listen to music. He loved sailboats and collected anything sailboat related. He was looking forward to his trip to Michigan for his first ride on a sailboat. Rick loved his family and worked to take care of them. He was a wonderful partner, dad, grandpa, brother, and uncle. He will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, July 13 at Roselawn Funeral Home and from 10 a.m. until time of services on Saturday, July 14. A funeral ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, at the funeral home, with Pastor Kyle Andrews officiating. Rick will be laid to rest in Roselawn Memorial Park with military honors provided by American Legion Post 104. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.roselawnfuneralhome.net