Lester P. Stemm

Les was born in Chicago,IL and was the biological son of John Paul (Jack) Heinen and Edna Halkola Isaacson. After his father’s tragic passing, Les was adopted by the parents who would raise him: Lester R. Stemm and Viola Heinen Stemm. Les graduated from Glenbard East High School in 1971 and began his college education at Florida State University, where he became a brother of TKE fraternity. In 1973, he transferred to the University of Florida to attend their College of Pharmacy. While at UF, he met and married the love of his life, Mary, who was also a pharmacy student. After graduation, the couple moved to Mary’s hometown of Arcadia to begin their family and careers. Les earned a reputation as a friendly, dedicated pharmacist who always had a smile and a joke to tell. His greatest joy in life was helping others.

Les retired in 2015 after serving as pharmacist for many locations, notably DeSoto Memorial Hospital, Eckerd’s Drugs(now CVS), and FCCC. He honored his Finnish heritage through his spirit of “Sisu” – embodying extraordinary determination, resilience and grit.

Above all, Les prided himself on being a devoted husband and father, with most of his free time spent with his family. He volunteered as a mentor for Take Stock in Children for six years and a Band Booster at DeSoto High School for eight years – notoriously manning the grills at the Bulldogs’ football concession stands.

Les loved fishing, traveling, spending summers at Englewood Beach, hiking at Morgan Park, and playing his instruments – he was an avid guitar player with an innate talent for music.

Les was preceded in death by his parents and sister-in-law Sandra Christ Piver. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mary Christ Stemm; his daughter Elizabeth Burke (Mike); his brother George Isaacson (Maryanne); brothers-in-law Raymond Christ (Patricia) and Robin Christ; many nieces and nephews; and many cousins across the US and in his grandparents’ native country of Finland.

There will be a private family memorial at a future date.