Carroll "Gene" Eugene Stalnaker

Carroll Eugene “Gene” Stalnaker, 87, passed away in his home on September 27, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. Gene was born in Akron on August 2, 1930 and attended East High School (home of the Orientals) where he met his wife of 66 years, Betty Ann (Gardner). He and his wife lived in Tallmadge for the past 52 years where they raised their three children.

Gene served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and upon return worked for the U.S. Postal Service. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Akron and later pursued his Masters in Finance & Economics at Kent State University. In 1960, he started working as a bookkeeper for Falls Savings & Loan Association and in typical Gene fashion, worked his way up to President. After serving as President, CEO, and a member of the Board of Directors, he retired from Falls Savings & Loan in 1993 but only to continue his career as Co-Founder and Chairman of Falls Bank in 1999. Gene spent countless hours preparing tax returns for the past 47 years for people all over the country.

As an active member of his community, Gene served on Tallmadge City Council for 16 years, serving as an at-large representative for the first seven years and as Ward 2 representative for the past nine years. He was also a member of the Tallmadge Chamber of Commerce, Tallmadge Foundation, Director of Warriors’ Journey Home, and a founding member of The Korean War National Museum. Gene and his wife were actively involved in High Street Christian Church for 59 years, where they made many memories with great friends. They spent the last four years as members of First Congregational Church of Akron. Other organizations he was involved in include NEOUCOM, Rockynol, Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services Foundation, Blue Coats Society, Pension Fund of Christian Church, American Cancer Society, Hilltoppers, Akron Gyro/Sunshine Investment, Men’s Garden Club, United Way, Rotarian, Walk America, and American Diabetes. Gene’s hardworking nature and many business and life accomplishments were recognized through some of the awards he received: Tallmadge Citizen of the Year, Tallmadge Lifetime Achievement, East High School Hall of Fame, Frank Simonetti Distinguished Alumni, and Tallmadge Foundation Acorn Award.

Gene was a very hardworking and knowledgeable man, always reading and determined to learn everything he could. Although an incredibly successful businessman, more than anything, he enjoyed time with his family. From annual summer vacations to Cape Cod, Massachusetts to family trips to New York City for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, Gene and his wife made the lives of their children and grandchildren very special. He also enjoyed wonderful trips to Switzerland and England with his beloved wife. Anyone who would pass by Gene and Betty’s beautiful century home had the chance of seeing Gene--always active--outside mowing his lawn, raking his leaves, or working on the home that he loved very much.

Gene is survived by his wife of 66 years, Betty Stalnaker; daughters, Becky (Brian) Allman, Beth (Brad) Burch both of Tallmadge; son, Russell (Traci) Stalnaker of Louisville; grandchildren, Andrew (Deidre) Allman of Grandview Hts., Blake (Sami) Allman of Tallmadge, Amibeth Allman of Tallmadge, Seth (Bailey White) Burch of Medina, Paul (Chelsea) Stalnaker of Louisville, and Sarah Burch (David Bartlett) of Tallmadge.

Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, October 6, 2017 at the Donovan Funeral Home, 17 Southwest Ave, Tallmadge (on the Historic Tallmadge Circle).

Funeral service will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 7, 2017 at First Congregational Church of Akron, 292 E Market Street, Akron with Rev. Nanette Pitt officiating. Additional visitation will begin one hour before the service.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Summa Health Hospice and Warriors’ Journey Home in honor of Gene.

Interment will be at Tallmadge Cemetery.

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