Walt Stoddard

CORTLAND — Walter “Walt” Ward Stoddard, 86, passed away peacefully, Saturday, July 27, 2024. 

He was born Sept. 1, 1937 in Warren, the son of Ward and Frances Hefner Stoddard. 

Walt graduated from Howland High School, Class of 1955, and Youngstown State University, with a degree in business. 

His work career started early in life with delivering the Tribune Chronicle newspaper on horseback, working at Ward’s Auto Parts in Warren and at Packard Electric until retiring on his 60th birthday in 1997. He also drove bus for Anderson Bus And Tour for almost 30 years.

A lifetime resident of Trumbull County, Walt belonged to 4-H and many other service organizations. One of his volunteer efforts was establishing the Cortland Moose Lodge 1012 in the early 1980s. He served as governor of the Lodge for multiple terms and served in almost every other Moose office, as well as sponsoring 454 new Moose members. Walt was promoted to the highest office of Pilgrim, in 2018. 

His hobbies included donating blood, helping others, watching sports, attending NASCAR and dirt track races, snowmobiling and traveling. 

Walt was blessed with over 40 wonderful years of marriage to Betty Miles Stoddard. 

Walt and Betty saw 48 states, Canada and Mexico in their travels. Their motorhome travels were epic. Walt definitely had the gift of gab and seemed to somehow know, and find, at least one person he already knew everywhere he went during these travels.

Precious memories will live on with his three daughters, Linda (Jon) Turner of California, Margie Finona, also of California, and Mandy Miles of Niles; his two sisters, Eleanor (Tom) Finta of Houston, Texas, and Kay (Earl) Kerr of Doylestown; six grandchildren, Teag (Amber) and Emily Turner, Tyler Finona and Paige (Alex) Meshot, Gabe Hartshorn and Catarina (Ethan) Hillier; two great-grandchildren, Torin and Harrison Turner, and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, at the Cortland Moose Lodge 1012, 6400 state Route 46, Cortland, OH 44410. Friends and family are welcome to attend the Pilgrim Moose Service of Remembrance, following calling hours. 

In lieu of flowers, you may donate to the Cortland Moose Lodge Scholarship Fund. 

Family and friends may send their heartfelt condolences by visiting www.lanefuneralhomes.com.