Sybil M. Stanles, 99, of Plover, WI went to her Heavenly home to be with Jesus, her Lord and Savior, on May 3, 2014.
She died peacefully in her room at Whispering Pines Lodge, Plover, WI with her family at her bedside, praying and singing the hymns she loved so much. Sybil was born in Bemidji, Minnesota on March 6, 1915 to Sever and Etta (Snow) Synoground. During the early years of her life, she and her brother Roy lived with her parents on a houseboat her father built and anchored on the Mississippi River shoreline. Sybil married Theodore (Ted) H. Stanles on December 30, 1934 in La Crosse, WI. Ted was a WWII veteran and recipient of a Bronze Star. They had one son, Leroy T. Stanles. Sybil had a deep and devoted Christian faith. She taught Sunday School in La Crosse for 15 years, was a Sunday School Superintendant, youth speaker, head of daily prayer meetings, guest speaker at home Bible studies and prayer meetings and visited the La Crosse jail to read the Bible and pray with the prisoners. Her faith in God and living for Him was utmost in her life. But next to her faith, was her family. Having her grandchildren around always put a sparkle in her eye and a smile on her lips. When we were small, she taught us stories of the Bible on her “flannel board” of Bible characters and played us those lovely old hymns on her accordion. And every day, in every way, she modeled a life of her faith in God that gave her family an example to follow in love. In 1961, Sybil and Ted moved to Waupaca, WI where Ted took the position of caretaker at Spencer Lake Bible Camp for the Assemblies of God Church. They were there for 12 years before a heart condition forced Ted’s retirement. While at Spencer Lake Bible Camp, Sybil made sure the camp personnel staying in the main house had comfortable quarters and all their needs met. But when not busy with that, she was taking her grandchildren to the camp meetings or down to the beach to watch them swim or catch minnows.
Sybil was preceded in death by her husband, Theodore H. Stanles, her son, Leroy T. Stanles, two brothers, Roy Synoground and Vernon Hatke, and a sister, Jewel Gilbertson. She was also preceded in death by her two sisters-in-law, a brother-in-law, and her parents. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Donna Stanles (Shuda), 5 grandchildren: Denise (Neal) Roland of La Crosse, WI; Cheryl (Larry) Hammond of Almond, WI; Dan Stanles of Largo, FL; Chris Stanles and Lee Stanles of Waupaca, WI; 8 great-grandchildren, 7 great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Although we will miss her dearly, we know she’s where she wanted to be…with her Savior in Heaven. She left us a letter with these parting words, “God loves you, I love you, I’ll see you in Heaven – Make sure you are there!”
Burial was at Spencer Lake Cemetery in Waupaca, WI by Maple Crest Funeral Home of Waupaca. There will be a private family memorial service at a later date, per Sybil’s request and wishes.