Edward J. Stinner, Jr. February 1, 1954 - September 22, 2025

Edward J. Stinner, Jr., 71, of Orefield, PA, passed away peacefully on September 22, 2025, at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, following a courageous 10-year battle with lung cancer.

Born on February 1, 1954, in Allentown, Ed was the son of the late Edward J. Stinner, Sr. and Joan R. Gergits Stinner. He is survived by his wife of nearly 38 years, Melodie M. Schumaker Stinner; his children, Deanna M. Stinner Moussa (Ramie) and Kyle E. Stinner; his sisters Kathyrose Neff (Richard) and Barbara Feiertag-Boehmer (Mark); his stepmother Sharon C. Landis Stinner; nieces Jayme and Tanya; and great-niece Gianna. He was preceded in death by his brother, Michael Stinner. Ed was also survived by the Schumaker family, numerous God Children, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and his beloved dog Chase.

Ed was a proud graduate of William Allen High School, Class of 1972. He earned his degree from Mansfield University in 1976. He dedicated 36 years of his life to teaching Special Education and Emotional Support at Trexler Middle School, where he left a lasting impact on generations of students and colleagues. Beyond the classroom, he was deeply committed to the Allentown community as a playground instructor and supervisor for the Allentown Playground Program, where he especially loved participating in Romper Day.

Softball was one of Ed’s greatest passions. Over nearly 50 years of coaching, he guided players on various high school and travel teams leaving an enduring mark on Lehigh Valley athletics. As head coach at William Allen High School for 19 years, he led his team to the 1990 PIAA State Championship. Later, he contributed as an assistant coach at Parkland and Whitehall, celebrating another state title in 2015 with Parkland. Among his proudest memories were the years spent coaching his daughter Deanna throughout her softball career and sharing the dugout with both Deanna and Kyle as fellow coaches. Those moments were some of the greatest joys of his life.

Ed was also the longtime chairman of the Carole Weil Scholarship Fund, where he devoted 33 years to honoring the memory of a former player by providing over $125,000 in scholarships to local athletes through an annual college tournament and high school all-star game. His dedication to the sport and his players was recognized with inductions into the Lehigh Valley Softball Hall of Fame, Lehigh Valley Sports Hall of Fame, and William Allen High School Athletics Hall of Fame.

Away from the field, Ed loved spending time with family and cherished their time together. He enjoyed exploring US National Parks, he was passionate about the Philadelphia Eagles and Philadelphia Phillies, and loved beach vacations with his family the most. Caring for his family was at the center of his life, and he took great pride in being present for them in every way he could. Known for his kindness, humor, and ability to make every interaction meaningful, Ed touched the lives of all who knew him. His legacy is significant and widespread, reaching students, athletes, colleagues, friends, and family — a testament to a life lived in service to others.

Service: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 1, 2025 in the St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church, 1879 Applewood Drive, Orefield with the Rev. Nikolai Brelinsky, MDiv., M.A. officiating. Family and friends may pay their respects from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 30, 2025 in the Heintzelman – Stephens Funeral Home, P.C. 274 N. Krocks Road, Allentown and 9:30-10:45 a.m. Wednesday, in the church. Interment will follow the Mass at Resurrection Cemetery, Allentown.  Online expressions of sympathy may be recorded at www.heintzelmanstephens.com.

Contributions: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Ave, Philadelphia PA 19111 and/or Friends of the Allentown Parks (Memo: Summer Romper Day Program), 3000 Parkway Boulevard, Allentown PA 18104.