Harold Joseph Stoecklein, age 73, of Clinton died Monday, December 3, 2012 due to medical complications from his battle with cancer. Funeral Mass will be 11:00 A.M., Thursday, December 6, 2012 at The Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Clinton. The Rosary will be at 9:45 A.M. with visitation following 10:00-11:00 A.M. at the church. Interment will be in the Englewood Cemetery, Clinton. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or the Holy Rosary Catholic Church Building Fund and may be left in care of Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton. Fond memories can be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com.

He was born to Isabelle Lammers Stoecklein and Bernard J. Stoecklein in Pilot Grove, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Bernard Jr. He served proudly in the U.S. Army Military Police overseas. He worked for General Motors for 30 years and was a member of the U.A.W. retirees at Warsaw, Post 217 American Legion and a Lifetime DAV. He was a member of Holy Rosary Church. He loved to tinker in his workshop, hunt, and fish with friends in Tightwad, MO. where he also served as a volunteer fireman until health stopped him. He was a great fan of the KC Chiefs and Missouri Tiger football and basketball and a new found enjoyment for youth soccer.

He is survived by Sharon, his loving wife of 45 years, daughter Angie Gates and husband Brian, son Deron and wife Kara, and the three lights in his eyes grandchildren, Brady, Sydney and Hunter; also sisters Dorothy Gibson and Shirley Preston and brother Bill Stoecklein; many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri.