Mr. Stoneham was born March 14, 1926 in, Norwalk, Ohio to John R. and Bertha T. (Emmons) Stoneham. He married Martha J. Transue June 16, 1951 in Bellevue, and she survives in Tiffin.
Other survivors include a son, John W. (Kimberly) Stoneham, of Crestline; three grandchildren, Sara (Brian) Weller, of Sandusky, Benjamin Stoneham of Columbus, and Kelsey Stoneham of Toledo; and one great grandchild, Max Weller.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a son, Robert K. Stoneham.
Mr. Stoneham was a 1944 graduate of Norwalk High School. He attended Heidelberg College and Bowling Green University and was a graduate of Dallas Air College. He flew commercially until entering the industrial field with the Cockshutt Farm Implement Co. as a liaison between plant engineering and production control. He later joined General Motors Corp. with the New Departure Division as a member of the Methods Engineering and Works Standards Dept. In 1961 he was asked to come to the Betty Jane Rehabilitation Center as business manager. During his 32 years with the Center, he served in many positions and retired as the Executive Vice President of the Center.
Mr. Stoneham was a veteran of World War II, having served with the 34th Bomb Group Heavy of the 8th Air Force as a combat crew member on a B-17 Flying Fortress. He flew many missions over the European Continent.
As a member of the Episcopal Church, he taught Sunday school classes in Bellevue and Tiffin. Robert served as a lay reader for 33 years in the parishes of Bellevue, Clyde, and Tiffin. He served on the vestries of Bellevue and Tiffin where he filled the positions of Junior and Senior Warden.
His interest in the development of young people took him into the Boy Scouts of America, where he served in various positions in the towns of Norwalk, Bellevue, and Tiffin.
Robert was member of Old Trinity Episcopal Church, the Elks Lodge, the American Legion, the 34th Bomb Group Assoc., the 8th Air Force Historical Society and Kiwanis International. His professional affiliations included the American Institute of Plant Engineers, the National Rehabilitation Assoc., the Vocational Evaluation and Work Adjustment Assoc. and others.
Over the years he had served on various boards including; The Salvation Army, The American Red Cross, the Mercy Hospital Advisory Board, the Seneca County Humane Society, and the Chamber of Commerce. A strong believer in conservation, he was a member of the Izaac Walton League and many other wildlife organizations and outdoor sporting groups.
A memorial service will be held at 11 am, Saturday July 14, 2012 at Old Trinity Episcopal Church in Tiffin with the Rev. John Reinheimer officiating. Entombment will take place in the church Columbarium.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Seneca County Humane Society or to a charity of the donor’s choice.