Stacey Weisenfels -1982 photo by Deann Alford RIP - see below

From Fort Smith Times Record: Wednesday, February 1, 2006 8:44 AM CST Stacey D. Weisenfels, 50, of Fort Smith departed this life because his Jesus called him home Saturday, Jan. 28, 2006, in Fort Smith. He was a respected and admired teacher of Spanish and German with the Fort Smith Public School System. “Senor” will be missed by students and former students in the River Valley from Charleston, County Line and Fort Smith. Stacey was a devoted father and father-in-law, and an ecstatically happy grandfather. He loved his siblings, his parents, nieces, nephews and his in-laws with a quiet but passionate love. Two of Stacey’s gifts were compassion and service, and he served his family in ways both large and small. Stacey married later in life, but always said that he had married his “soulmate and best friend” and even though they had only been married since 1989, they had been friends since 1975 and had traveled the world together. After graduating from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville in 1976, he attended the University of Hamburg, Germany, eventually returning to the University of Arkansas to complete his master of arts. Stacey was a bird lover and gardener. He had several birds and a greenhouse that he loved. He was a whitewater canoe enthusiast and a voracious reader. He loved movies, especially those that he called “grand historical costume epics.” Stacey loved and taught judo for many years in both Louisiana and Arkansas and was a 3rd degree Black Belt. It was, however, for God that Stacey reserved his greatest love. A Benedictine oblate, a member of Christ the King Catholic Church, and a lifelong Roman Catholic, Stacey was a true scholar of the Bible and the teachings of the church. He wife often told him that he, more than anyone, continually showed Jesus to her and others. Stacey is survived by his wife, Terry Patterson Weisenfels of Fort Smith; his son, Nicholas and his daughter-in-law, Jessica Barenberg Weisenfels of Fort Smith; his granddaughters, Jonah and Havah; his mother, Bridget Nelson and her husband, Glen of Fort Smith; his sister, Pam Pyland and her husband, Bruce; his mother-in-law, Beverly Patterson; his brother-in-law, Wayne Patterson and his wife, Jeanne Hawkins Patterson; sister-in-law, Leona Manuel Weisenfels; his nieces and nephews, Catlin Weisenfels, Dillon Weisenfels, Devin Weisenfels, Laura Pyland, Derek Pyland, Cara Patterson, and John Patterson; along with numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Bernard Weisenfels; his brothers, Gary and Ronald Weisenfels; and his father-in-law, J.W. Patterson. Rosary will be said today at 7 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, and Mass will be Thursday, Feb. 2, 2006, at 5 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, all under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. Following Mass, the body will be cremated and later interred with a private family service at the Barling City Cemetery. Pallbearers will be David Franks, Charlie Mitchell, John Casey, Kurt Sachschewsky, Bruce Pyland, Dave Wilson, Oliver Heintz and Greg Crawford. Honorary pallbearers will be faculty of both Northside High School and Butterfield Junior High. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Scholastica Monastery, 1301 S. Albert Pike, Fort Smith, AR 72901; the Good Samaritan Clinic, 615 N. B St., Fort Smith, AR 72901; or the Humane Society of Sebastian County, P.O. Box 10953, Fort Smith, AR 72917. To sign an online guest book visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.