Sol Staller

Sol Staller, 90, of El Campo, died Friday, July 18, 2008.

He was born April 28, 1918 in Philadelphia, Pa. to Louis and Dora Staller. He retired after working many years as an insurance salesman for Great American Reserve. Mr. Staller was a member of the Congregation Beth Yeshurun of Houston.

Prior to World War II, he worked in Washington, D.C. in personnel in the War Department at the Pentagon. In January 1942, Mr. Staller volunteered for the U.S. Army. Entering as a private, he rose to the rank of second lieutenant in less than one year, eventually attaining the rank of captain.

He was stationed at Camp Hulen in Palacios from August 1943 until June 1945. Soon after he arrived, he met Maureen Bishkin. After a whirlwind courtship, they married on Feb. 26, 1944.

With orders to ship to Okinawa shortly before the surrender of Japan, he remained there until October 1945. From there, he was shipped to Korea until his release in February of 1946.

After settling in El Campo, Mr. Staller opened a small department store called The Fair. In 1957, he joined Great American Reserve Insurance Co. of Dallas, and remained with that company for 30 years.

In addition to his passion for his family and many friends, Mr. Staller's love of community was evident in many of his activities.

He was an active member of the Shearith Israel Synagogue in Wharton and served as its president from 1982-95 and again from 1998-2002. At the closing of the Synagogue, he became an active member of Congregation Beth Yeshurun in Houston.

Mr. Staller was one of three founders of the El Campo Elks Lodge, where he remained a member for many years. He was a 60-year member of the El Campo Lions Club and a 60- year member of the American Legion Post 251. Mr. Staller was also a member of the El Campo Museum, honorary member of the El Campo Memorial Hospital Sunshine Ladies, lifetime member of B'nai Brith and lifetime associate member of the Wharton Chapter of Hadassah.

Mr. Staller will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and good friend to the many people of the El Campo community.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Maureen Bishkin Staller; daughter, Sue Staller Peixotto and husband Bob of Austin; sons, Richard Martin Staller and wife Elaine of San Antonio, and Joseph Bass Staller and wife Arlene of Houston; sister, Esther Zatlyn of San Diego, Calif.; grandchildren, Stefani Tichauer and husband Eduardo, Melissa Staller, Jason Staller and wife Amanda, Bradley Staller and wife Amira, Todd Staller, David Peixotto, Michael Peixotto, and Chris Petkus and wife Kelly; and great-grandchildren, Jordan Rhone, Jeremy Rhone and Joshua Tichauer.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Graveside services were held Sunday, July 20 at the Shearith Israel Cemetery in Wharton with Rabbi Brian Strauss officiating. Burial with military honors followed under the auspices of American Legion Post 251.

Pallbearers were Jason Staller, Bradley Staller, Todd Staller, David Peixotto, Michael Peixotto, Steven Bishkin and Neil Bishkin.

Memorial donations may be made to the El Campo Branch of the Wharton County Library or the donor's favorite charity.