Stanley H. Kerestes' Obituary
KERESTES
Lt. Col. Stanley Henry Kerestes USA (Ret) died on 8/24/12. He was the son of Steven and Mary Kerestes, born 3/8/22 in Vocin,Yugoslavia (Now Croatia). He came to the US in 1928, and grew up in Philadelphia. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lt in the Army before his 21st birthday. In WWII he served in Italy and earned the combat infantryman’s badge and bronze star. He was a patient at the VA Hospital at the Biltmore Hotel in 1945 and fell in love with Florida. He served in the Conn. National Guard, the Florida National Guard, and Army Reserve and won many honors and awards. Stan married Gloria Ruth Litke, daughter of Brig. Gen. and Mrs. William E. Litke on 6/26/46 and they lived 57 years together until her death in 2004. Stan graduated from the U of Conn in 1950, moved his family to Miami and worked for the New York Life Insurance Company, becoming a general manager, and in 1973 won the Chairman’s Trophy as the top manager in the USA and Canada. He was awarded the Chartered Life Underwriters (CLU) by the American College of Life Underwriters. He loved his Coral Gables home for 52 years, and enjoyed golf, traveling, his work, family and many friends. Stan is a member of Plymouth Congregational Church, a perpetual member and past Commander of the Military Order of World Wars, Past President of the Century Club of Coral Gables, Past President of the Army Navy Club, a member of Elks Lodge #948, and a member of Coral Gables Country Club. He is survived by his sons, William Steven Kerestes and wife Sally (Kimbrell) of Rome, GA, Bruce Stanley Kerestes, and wife Janie (Miller) of Coral Gables, granddaughter Katherine de la Fe (husband Francois), two great-grandsons Dante and Deacon, and granddaughter Avary Kerestes. He is also survived by his dear companion of the past several years, Anne Coppedge. The family also wishes to express their great appreciation to his caregiver, Althea Turner. Visitation on Monday 9/3/12 from 5-7:00PM at the VAN ORSDEL CORAL GABLES CHAPEL on SW 8th Street, Funeral service at Plymouth Congregational Church 11:00AM Tuesday 9/4/12 with entombment at Woodlawn Memorial mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Maggard Migrant Ministries c/o Plymouth Congregational Church, 340 Devon Road, Coconut Grove, FL.
What’s your fondest memory of Stanley?
What’s a lesson you learned from Stanley?
Share a story where Stanley's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Stanley you’ll never forget.
How did Stanley make you smile?
