Christopher DeForest Stinespring, 48, of Madison, Ohio, and formerly of Arthurdale, passed away following a traffic accident on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022. He was the loving husband of Martina Mancino Stinespring.
Chris was born in Morgantown, on March 4, 1974. He spent his early years in Arthurdale. At the age of seven, he moved with his family to Chelmsford, Mass., where he attended elementary, middle school and began high school. When he was 15, the family returned to West Virginia, where he attended Doddridge County High School and later graduated from Preston County High School in 1992. During those years, he loved spending time with his maternal grandparents at their home in West Union and with his paternal grandparents on their farm in Greenwood. After high school, he worked as a carpenter in West Virginia and as a chef in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming. In 2000, he attended and graduated from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute, after which he worked as a chef in Pittsburgh.
Shortly after 9/11, he enlisted in the United States Army. He was proud to be a member of the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment serving his country in Operation Enduring Freedom. He was involved primarily in the battles for Bagdad and Fallujah, where the fighting was door-to-door. Upon his discharge from the army in 2005, he returned to West Virginia, where he worked as a journeyman carpenter, as a partner and operator for DeForest Transportation and as a field technician and shop foreman for Downing in Morgantown. Most recently, he worked for Climate Pros near Cleveland, where he and his wife Tina have lived for the last few years. He and Tina attended New Life Pentecostal Church in Perry, Ohio. Chris had a consummate work ethic, and he became extremely skilled at everything he put his hand to.
Chris deeply loved his family and was equally loved by them. At every stop along his way, he made many, many true and lasting friendships. If Chris was not working or with his family, he could be found in the woods. In his youth, Chris loved riding his BMX and skiing. Later in life he enjoyed fly fishing, foraging for ramps and mushrooms and spending time at the beach and in the mountains. He never got too old to tease his sisters. He was a white-water raft guide and loved being on the river. The 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment motto is Toujours Prêt – always ready, and that is what he was.
Chris is survived by his wife, Tina; his parents, Charter and Stephanie; his sisters, Ashley (Nathan) Harris and Lauren (Varian) Mattingly; his children, Christopher Stinespring, Sydni (Zach) Coffman, Nicholas (Madison) Stinespring and Justin Stinespring; his grandchildren, Maddox Stinespring and Christian and Isabella Coffman; his stepchildren, Richard Mundell Jr., Alexis Mundell and Atlanta Mundell; his step-grandchildren, Jace Cutlip, Aubree Cutlip, Raylee Mundell, Gunner Mundell and Westlynn Wolfe; his grandmother, Marian Spurlock; his uncle, Howard (Amy) Spurlock; and his uncle, Victor (Pamela) Stinespring. They, along with his many nephews, nieces and friends, will miss him beyond measure. Chris was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Howard DeForest Spurlock and his paternal grandparents Charter and Mary Jane Stinespring.
The family will receive guests at Morgan Funeral Home in Reedsville, from 4-8 p.m. on Monday and before the service from 11 a.m. until service time of 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 11, with Pastor Christopher Baker offficiating. Interment will take place at the West Virginia National Cemetery at a date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his name can be made to Project Healing Waters: (https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/projecthealingwatersflyfishing) which is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of active military service personnel and disabled veterans through fly fishing and associated activities.
