STORMONT, Elmer E. (Bunch)

The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona March 17, 2005 Elmer E. "Bunch" Stormont, 87, of Tempe, Arizona, peacefully passed away on March 15, 2005. Born on March 30, 1917 in Dighton, Kansas. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Lorene; daughter Dena LASATER of Cascade, Colo., sons, Duane of Tempe, AZ, Marc of Sacramento, Ca.; grandchildren Mary Meghan HOLDEN of Kansas City, Ks., Lauri Marie SANDERS of Folsom, Ca., Brenda Rene SELISKAR of Azusa, Ca., Douglas Durr LASATER of San Diego, Ca, and great granddaughters Brittney and Ashley SANDERS and Ellen HOLDEN. Bunch and Lorene DURR were married on November 1, 1940. During World War II, he served as a Naval Aviator. After the war, Bunch returned to his home town of Dighton, Kansas, to raise wheat and milo on his family farm. In 1956, Bunch moved his family to Tempe, Arizona, where he was a teacher at Laveen Indian School and later at Judson School in Scottsdale. After retiring from teaching, he enjoyed nurturing his many backyard fruit trees. Bunch received college degrees from Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri, and Emporia State Teachers' College in Emporia, Kansas, and a Master's degree from Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ. Through the years, Bunch maintained a passion for farming. He returned to Dighton each summer through 2003 to operate the family farm. Graveside services and burial will be held in Dighton, followed by a celebration of his life. The date to be announced later.