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302-478-7100 Wilmington & Hockessin, DE

Michael Walter Stetter

Michael Walter Stetter, D.Ed., aged 77, of Wilmington, Delaware, passed away on September 20, 2024, surrounded by loving family and in the care of Christiana Hospital.

Mike was born in 1947 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to Walter and Audrey Stetter. The Stetter family line in Lancaster stretches back two hundred years. Through four generations, they ran the family fish business, Stetter’s Seafood, and Mike helped his grandfather, father, uncle, and other family members at the market stand. Throughout his life, seafood was a favorite meal: all kinds of fish, cioppino, hardshell crabs, and seafood chowder.

A graduate of Conestoga Valley High School, Mike went on to earn degrees from Franklin & Marshall College, James Madison University, and Pennsylvania State University, from which he earned his Doctorate in Education. Mike also served three years in the United States Army.

Throughout his career in education, Mike served children and families through a wide range of positions: school psychologist with the Capital Area Intermediate Unit; child and family psychologist of his own practice in Harrisburg, PA; principal at Mountain View Elementary in Harrisburg and Schaeffer Elementary School in Lancaster. Mike and Linda then moved to Wilmington, Delaware, where Mike served as the Executive Director of Accountability & Research in the Brandywine School District in Wilmington. Later he joined the Delaware Department of Education in Dover, where he was Director of Curriculum Development, followed by the position of Director of Accountability Resources, from which he retired.

During his time at Franklin & Marshall, he met his future wife, Linda Manspeaker, a student at the Lancaster General Hospital School of Nursing. Their marriage endured and strengthened through nearly 55 years. Together they raised three sons, celebrated the births of two granddaughters, nurtured lifelong friendships, and enjoyed the companionship of a long line of Standard Poodles. He and Linda relished their travels abroad, with tours of Egypt, China, Argentina, and all over Europe.

Mike loved many things: hiking in the Pennsylvania forests, riding his bicycle along the Delaware shore, working in the yard and garden, taking on house projects of all sorts – with a special fondness for building rock walls – and reading in a wide range of topics (politics, American history, education, philosophy) and authors (James Baldwin, Graham Greene, Kurt Vonnegut, John Steinbeck, Shakespeare).

Mike was a member of St John’s United Church of Christ (UCC) in Red Lion, Pennsylvania, where Mike and Linda married. He was also a member of the Consistory at the Church, and the treasurer of the neighborhood’s civic association.

He is survived by his wife Linda; son Timothy (Sandra) Stetter; son Kevin (Kristy) Stetter; two granddaughters Ava and Grace Stetter; and brother Christopher (Anne) Stetter and sister Ellen (Jon) Armstrong.

He is preceded in death by his father, mother, and son Matthew Stetter.

Funeral Services

Service will be held on Saturday, October 5 at St John’s UCC, 161 N Main St, Red Lion, PA 17356. Welcome from 10-11am, service at 11am, and luncheon to follow. The service will be officiated by Pastor David Tietje.

Donations in Mike’s honor can be made to St. Johns UCC and Food Bank of Delaware.

Condolences

    Thomas Kilcoyne writes,
    Linda and Family, Please accept my sincere condolences. Mike's passing caught me by surprise. I haven't seen you and Mike since my wife, Beth and I ran into you at the Delaware Art Museum about 15 years ago. I believe it was an exhibit about the Pre-Raphaelites. Mike served as my mentor when I trained in school psychology. We worked together as colleagues and friends in the Central Dauphin School District. We had some enjoyable and memorable times walking and playing cards at Joe Schell's cabin. He was a dedicated professional, and more importantly, a good man. I will keep you in my prayers. I am sorry that I cannot make his funeral as I am caring for my wife who is very ill. Tom Kilcoyne, Hummelstown, PA
    09/28/2024 10:18 pm
    Karen Hartschuh writes,
    Linda and family, I was so sorry to hear of Mike's death. He was such a kind and gentle man. His calls and visits to Wayne, when he was sick, were very comforting, and his notes of support after Wayne's passing all were examples of why Wayne referred to Mike as a "good" man. Please know I am praying for comfort for you and your family. Karen Hartschuh Lewes, DE
    09/29/2024 12:18 pm
    Kathy Beistline writes,
    I was privileged to be a teacher at Mt. View Elementary when Dr. Stetter became principal there. He was only there a short time but it was obvious he would have quite a future in education. I appreciated his leadership and the sincerely caring person he was. My condolences to his family.
    09/30/2024 03:35 pm
    Karen Root Brunken writes,
    To the Stetter family. The class of 1965 Conestoga Valley High School would like to extend our sympathy to you and your family on the passing of our classmate Michael Stetter. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. He was a great classmate.
    10/01/2024 05:02 pm
    James F Hertzog writes,
    Mike was much more to me than a former boss. He was a great friend. More than once, he went far out of his way to help my wife and I when travelling in an unfamiliar city or when here in Delaware. Both Pennsylvania natives, we shared having lived and worked in Harrisburg and Dover as well as brief military duty. Being older than Mike, his passing came as a shock to me. As recent as last Saturday, I was thinking of him since he often showed up at the New Castle Arts and Crafts Fair to say hi. I will miss that possibility.
    10/01/2024 06:50 pm
    Dori Barkby lit a candle and writes,
    My heart goes out to you and the family! Thinking of you and sending healing prayers and heartfelt hugs Gis Bless
    10/01/2024 07:53 pm
    Bob Ruder writes,
    Please accept my condolences. Mike and I worked at Manheim Township at the same time. He was a gentleman and well respected colleague. He was always kind, thoughtful and professional. May his memory be a blessing.
    10/02/2024 07:05 am
    Laima Kristina Carlisle (nee Launags) writes,
    As a member of CV's class of 1966, I was both surprised and saddened to read of Mike's recent passing. He was a kind soul with a gentle strength. My sincere condolences to the family.
    10/02/2024 07:21 am
    Jacqueline Edge writes,
    This tragic news came as a huge shock and my thoughts and condolences to Linda and the family. I worked for Mike for about 6 years at the Delaware department of education. He was so very intelligent and an inspiring leader. He was patient, kind, and always took time for his staff. It was a very sad day when he retired.
    10/04/2024 07:39 pm

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