John Paul Stermer

John Paul Stermer, 53, beloved father, grandfather, brother, son, entered into eternal peace May 10, 2006 in Lakewood, Colorado. Mr. Stermer was born August 9, 1952, in Palaiseau, France. He was the son of the late John Henry Stermer and Lucianna Stermer. He is survived by son Jonathan Paul Stermer, wife Rineldi "Charlie" and their children Daimon, Devinn, Athena, and Brooke of Las Cruces, New Mexico; and son Michael Christopher Stermer of Denver, Colorado; sisters Maria Lane Walsh and husband Philip of Bosque Farms; Suzanne of New Mexico; Michelle Anne Stermer of Denver, Colorado; Margaret Grace Stermer-Cox and husband Robert of Ocean Shores, Washington; Dorothy Lee Stermer and husband Stacy Sacco of Albuquerque, New Mexico; his mother, Lucianna Stermer of Silver City, New Mexico; friend and soul mate Anneliese Schneider and loving relatives, friends and former students. Mr. Stermer was a history teacher, counselor, administrator, referee and coach in New Mexico and Colorado high schools. His concern was to encourage young people to strive for excellence. He was state president of the Teen Pregnancy Prevention group and chair of Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Running was Mr. Stermer's joy and led him to triathlete and ironman competitions throughout the Southwest. John was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) in September 2004. When John Stermer was selected for the Annual Southwest Challenge Series Sportsmanship award, it was remarked of him, "John has found the elusive secret to defeating the fear of our own earthly demise