Lavern W. Stamm

Lavern W. Stamm, 84, of Shannon, passed away at his home surrounded by family and friends on Wednesday February 15, 2023. He was born in Stephenson County on January 2, 1939, the son of Milford and Elta Mae (Lestikow) Stamm. He graduated from Forreston High School and started working as a carpenter. He later began his own business, with two other men, and continued that work under the name SAM Builders. He was a long-time member of the Forreston Lions Club. He received the Melvin Jones Fellow award from the Lions Club International Foundation for Dedicated Humanitarian Services. Lavern enjoyed playing cards and having a beer with his friends. He spent a lot of time cutting and chopping wood, tilling the garden, and picking beans and tomatoes. His family was his greatest joy. He is survived by his wife Helen, his two sons, Cody Stamm and Marc (Jill) Stamm, his daughter, Denise (Dan) Ball, his grandchildren Braxton Stamm, Lizzy Stamm, Annalise Stamm, Shayla Stamm, Stephanie (TJ) Stamm, his great-grandson, Parker Stamm, his two sisters, Glenda Carter and Theo Harrenstein, and his brother, Gary Stamm. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Gail Babcock, Carol Barker and Donna Runte, and his grandson, TJ Stamm. Lavern will be remembered as fun-loving, kind, and "always ready to help" by his family and his many friends. A Celebration of Life party will be held in the near future for his family and his close friends. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established for the St. Jude Children's Hospital.