Stephen Edlinger

Stephen Francis Edlinger was born August 11, 1951, to Louis Austin and Lois Ann Ladebauche Edlinger in Saginaw, Michigan. Stephen passed away July 2, 2022. Stephen was preceded in death by both his parents and his oldest brother Ralph Edward. Stephen’s family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico when he was 6 in 1958, and the moved to Trinidad, Colorado in 1969 where he attended 3 different High Schools during his senior year. He graduated June 2, 1970, and did his Boot Camp in San Diego, Ca. He had schools in Millington, TN. Then was stationed with VP30 San Jose, CA. ; Naval Station Adak, Adak, AK where the Air Force sent him through 3 of their FTD schools on the A10 Wart Hog Aircraft. Then back to CA at VX5 Ridgecrest, CA. From there he was transferred across America to VP31 & VP49 Jacksonville, FL. With VP49 he deployed the Sigonella, Sicily and Rota, Spain. He was a Navy recruiter in Saginaw, MI for 4 ½ years then was stationed with VP11 Brunswick, ME and deployed to Keflavik, Iceland and Sigonella, Sicily. Stephen retired on January 31, 1991, with his ceremony onboard a P3 aircraft flying over Mt. Etna volcano Sigonella, Sicily while it was blowing up. Stephen met Judith in Tucson, AZ on November 29, 1978, after they both had moved there in July 1978. He had his first date with Judy on December 5, 1978, where they saw “Grease”. They were engaged February 13, 1979. He married Judith Carol Wickins August 11, 1979, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bad Axe, Michigan. They adopted their 3 ½ month old daughter Amanda Carol on January 6, 1984, in Jacksonville, FL. Stephen was an avid RVer. He had traveled in 33 states enjoying seeing America with his family since buying their first RV in Saginaw, MI in 1987. Stephen was a life member of the International Good Sam Club, and a member of both the Kentucky Veteran Sams and the Happy Campers Chapters within Kentucky. Stephen was a member of Holy Sprit Catholic Church in Bowling Green, Kentucky since 2011. Stephen was deeply into genealogy and his family tree. In 1998 he wrote a book on his family tree. He enjoyed making walking sticks and hiking staffs since 1974. In 1998 he wrote a book , “The Rose Lady” about the first 75 years of his mother’s life and arranged for her whole family to come together for the 1st birthday party she had ever had. He also put together put together a family cookbook. Stephen has a handle he used, ”the hiker” along with a saying; “have a safe and wonderful hike across America”. He treated everyday like it was a holiday, as long as he could do something worthwhile every day, enjoy himself some during each day, put a smile on someone’s face every day, learn something new each day, share knowledge with somebody every day, help someone out every day, share a laugh with someone every day, get a chance for someone to tell him where to go every day. Stephen loved his country; The United States of America, had a strong belief in his God, and was devoted to his family; not necessary in that order. No one loved his family more than he had! A Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Friday, July 8, 2022, at 12 noon. You may post your condolences on the tribute wall of this page, or on our Facebook page at www. facebook. com/conefuneralhome Please note the memorial tree links do not connect to a local arborist in Bowling Green, KY. If you wish to plant a memorial tree locally you may contact the Lost River Cave (270-393-0077 – Katie Cielinski) or the City of Bowling Green Parks and Recreation department at www. bgky. org/bgpr/cemeteries/memorial-tree or the Warren County Parks and Recreation department.

Funeral Service
07/08/2022
12:00 PM
Holy Spirit Catholic Church