Wilma M. (Castleman) Stoever

Southbridge/Charlton...Wilma Mae (Castleman) Stoever, 89, a former longtime resident of Southbridge, died peacefully Wednesday, October 19th, 2022, at The Overlook in Charlton, MA surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years in 2020, Robert A Stoever Sr.

She was born December 25, 1932, to the late John and Goldie (Edwards) Castleman in Paducah, Kentucky.

She is survived by her 8 children, 14 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.

5 sons: Richard Brian and his wife Dara of Putnam, CT, Robert A. Stoever, Jr., John Stoever and his wife Paula, and Michael Stoever all of Southbridge, MA, Mark Stoever and his wife Darlene of Sterling, MA and 3 daughters Bonita Stinson and her husband Jeff of Gig Harbor, WA, Terri Gough of Charlton, MA and Maryann Wood of Southbridge, MA.

She also leaves several in-laws, cousins, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a sister Dorothy Johnson, and a brother, Harry Allen Castleman. She was also predeceased by a son in law, daughter in law and two granddaughters.

Wilma graduated from Brookport, IL High School in 1950 and spent her early years living and working along the Ohio River area of Southern Illinois and Kentucky until moving to Maryland, where she met and married her husband Robert in 1961.

A devoted military spouse for 22 years, Wilma embraced her role as homemaker, raising eight children and enthusiastically establishing a new homelife for family and friends with each new Army transfer station assignment.

Eventually settling in Southbridge, MA she spent most of her next year’s providing domestic health care for the elderly in the area. In 1994, she retired to Dade City, Florida with her husband.

She was a member of the former United Methodist Church in Southbridge and the Free Methodist Church in Dade City, FL, where she enjoyed participating in the Women’s Club, Church Choirs, teaching Sunday School, and volunteering for numerous committees and congregational activities.

A matriarch more than anything else, she cherished any time she would spend visiting with family. And when she was not with family, she loved and appreciated her many adoring friendships through the years. She was an avid reader, enjoyed watching Sports, the occasional game of poker, and relished in any opportunity to play Bingo.

Never losing her hospitable southern heritage (and often detected expressive accent) Wilma had an innate ability to celebrate the good in everyone she met. She was often described as someone who never knew a stranger. Her contagious laughter and unending hope and optimism will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her.

The family would like to thank all the staff at Overlook for their kindness, care, and compassion.

A Funeral service will be held Saturday, October 29th at 11:00am at the Charlton City United Methodist Church, Charlton MA followed by burial at the West Ridge Cemetery, Charlton, MA. There are no calling hours.

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