November 9, 1948 – September 16, 2026

Stanley Richard Duffin, age 77, of St. Louis, Missouri, entered God’s eternal rest peacefully at home on September 16, 2026.

Left to cherish Stan’s memory are Nancy Duffin, the love of his life; his children, Kathryn (Sharon), Jonathan (Cara), Patrick (Ashley) and Elizabeth Jane; his honorary sons, Anthony Stone and Chauncey Felder; and his seven grandchildren, affectionately known as the “Magnificent Seven”: Grace, Owen, Ryley, Regan, Mackenzie, Eloise and Matilda.

He is also survived by his siblings, Robert (Sharyn) Duffin, Roger (Barb) Duffin, Marsha (Jay) Delano and Denise (Ron) Elliott; his brothers- and sisters-in-law, Margaret Noltkamper, Betty (Wayne) Knaust, Shirley Noltkamper, Lenard (Suzanne) Noltkamper and Judith Stone; as well as his beloved nieces, nephews, extended family and many dear friends.

Stan was preceded in death by his parents, Paulene and Willard Duffin; his in-laws, Mildred and James Glenn and Carl Noltkamper; his sisters, Phyllis Pennamon and Rebecca Duffin; his brothers- and sisters-in-law, Charles Noltkamper, David and Ruby Jean Noltkamper, Harry Noltkamper and Douglas Stone; and his nephew, Mark Noltkamper.

Stan was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and uncle, as well as a treasured friend, mentor and youth sports coach. He lived by a simple but powerful motto: “Live with Gusto,” bringing joy, determination, grit and integrity to everything he did. He loved his wife, family, friends, sports, Corvettes, Triumph motorcycles, history, English literature, cheeseburgers and butter pecan ice cream—in that order.

Perhaps Stan’s greatest gift was his ability to truly see people. He never judged; he simply met people where they were and made them feel accepted, valued and cared for. His children cannot recall him ever having an enemy, a reflection of the rare and genuine way he connected with others.

Stan had a wonderfully dry sense of humor and could easily become the life of the party, but his heart was what drew people to him. He loved his people hard—with loyalty, compassion and his whole heart. Through his example, he taught his children the value of hard work, strong character and caring deeply for others. These were not simply lessons he spoke about; they were values he lived every day.

Stan dedicated 38 years to Sunnen Products Company, where he led the die-cast setup departments and built lasting friendships with colleagues who became like family. He carried many fond memories of his teammates and their years together. Before joining Sunnen, he worked for Weyerhaeuser and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

He proudly served in the United States Army from 1969 until his honorable discharge in 1975. His service began at Fort Ord, where he completed basic training alongside his brother Roger, and later took him to Augsburg, Germany, where he spent most of his military career.

A proud Army Ranger who attained the rank of sergeant, Stan treasured the friendships, experiences and adventures of those years. In his free time, he and his Army buddies explored Europe together in a Karmann Ghia, creating stories he carried with him throughout his life. For his service, Stan received the National Defense Service Medal and the Expert Infantryman Badge. He also qualified as Expert with the M-16 and Sharpshooter with the M-14.

Stan met Nancy, the love of his life, in November 1973. The following year, they married on November 1, 1974, beginning nearly 52 years of marriage and a lifetime of friendship.

They were truly best friends and never hesitated to show their affection—anywhere, anytime—often to the playful embarrassment of their children. Together, they modeled love, commitment, respect and teamwork, facing each of life’s joys and challenges as one team.

Stan and Nancy also shared a love of travel and adventure. When their children were young, they packed everyone into the back of their Ford Econoline Super Van to explore the United States, making sure to visit seemingly every Civil War battlefield and museum between St. Louis and the East Coast.

The family treasured many happy times together, including trips to Colorado, Port St. Lucie for Cardinals Spring Training, Dauphin Island and Tybee Island, as well as summers spent at Sunnen Lake.

In retirement, Stan and Nancy continued exploring, with memorable travels to Ireland, Scotland, England and Hawaii, as well as an Alaskan cruise. Wherever they went, the greatest joy was simply experiencing it together.

Stan was also an avid reader with a special love for English literature. His favorite authors ranged from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Jane Austen to the Western adventures of Louis L’Amour. He shared that passion generously, fostering a love of reading throughout his family and encouraging them to discover stories and authors of their own.

A treasured memory from London was getting up early to be first in line at 221B Baker Street, eager to step inside the world of Sherlock Holmes.

Named after “Stan the Man” Musial, Stan was a lifelong sports fanatic and devoted Cardinals fan. Baseball and softball were among his greatest passions, and he shared that love by coaching his children’s teams and hundreds of young athletes over the years. His teams included the St. Louis Owls, the St. Louis Cowboys, the St. Louis Classics and the American Legion Thoman Boothe baseball team, which he coached alongside his brother Robert.

Stan also served as president of the Sunnen Golf League, loved bowling and took particular pride in winning the Sunnen Bowling League championship multiple times. He was a member of Marvin Park United Methodist Church and American Legion Post 338 in Maryland Heights.

Athletic talent ran in the family. His sister Becky was a phenomenal athlete who played softball for Team USA and owned a pitching school, where Stan worked part time. He was an exceptional coach and a true student of the game. Any player fortunate enough to learn from him knew how to throw properly, hit for the situation, lay down a bunt and field a smoking hot ground ball.

Stan’s philosophy was simple: play wherever the best competition could be found. That pursuit of excellence took the family across the country in search of stronger opponents, greater challenges and opportunities to improve. Those miles became part of the family story, filled with competition, adventure and countless memories made together.

Stan passed his love of sports on to his children. Three of his four children competed in college; the fourth chose a different path, although Stan believed all four had the talent. He also loved football and faithfully supported the St. Louis Rams, although he never fully forgave them for moving to Los Angeles, which forced him to become a reluctant Chiefs fan.

Until his final days, Stan loved watching, analyzing and, of course, coaching a game from whatever seat he occupied. Among his favorite memories were attending the 1982 World Series, Game 7 of the 2011 World Series, and many Cardinals Opening Days.

For Stan, sports were far more than games. They were a lifelong source of joy, connection and memories shared with the people he loved.

In the final chapter of his life, Stan courageously faced dementia with the same strength, determination and tenacity that defined him throughout his life. Through every challenge, Nancy remained faithfully by his side as his loving caregiver, embodying the devotion, partnership and one-team commitment that shaped their nearly 52 years together. Although the disease changed many things, it could never diminish the love Stan gave or the lasting impact he made on everyone fortunate enough to know him.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Mercy Hospital and Stan’s hospice nurses, Tracy and Carrie, for their compassionate care and support.

Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m., followed by funeral services at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 25, at Salem United Methodist Church in Ladue, Missouri. A graveside service and interment will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Vienna Public Cemetery in Vienna, Missouri.

Pallbearers are Kathryn Duffin, Jonathan Duffin, Patrick Duffin, Elizabeth Duffin, Grace Duffin, Owen Duffin, Ryley Duffin, Regan Duffin, Anthony Stone and Chauncey Felder.

Honorary pallbearers are Robert Duffin, Roger Duffin, Marsha Delano, Denise Elliott, Mackenzie Duffin, Eloise Duffin-Hafner and Matilda Duffin-Hafner.

Arrangements are under the direction of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home in Vienna, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Louis Sports Outreach or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.