Bernardus “Ben” Johannes Stapel, age 91, of Chelsea, Michigan, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family, on May 31, 2026.
Ben was born on January 22, 1935, in Tilburg, Netherlands, the son of Willem and Johanna (Swolfs) Stapel. He immigrated to the United States and built a life centered on faith, family, service, and hard work.
On June 30, 1962, he married Dorothy T. (Kosnik) in Detroit, Michigan. Together they shared nearly 64 years of marriage and raised their family in Dearborn Heights. Ben worked as a Mechanical Engineer throughout his career beginning at Burroughs Corporations and finally retiring from Ford Motor Company on 1/1/01. Ben became a citizen of the United States of America on February 25, 2016.
Ben enjoyed reading, learning, and sharing his knowledge with others. He was especially skilled with his hands and took great pride in helping his daughter rebuild her home.
Ben's Catholic faith was an important part of his life and guided his commitment to serving others. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus as well as the Secular Franciscans. He along with his wife, Dorothy, led pre-marriage weekends for engaged couples and taught natural family planning classes helping couples achieve and avoid pregnancy in the Archdiocese of Detroit.
In 2017, Ben and Dorothy moved to the Chelsea area, where he became an active member of St. Mary Catholic Church leading the Monday morning bible study and sharing his knowledge and insights with anyone who would listen.
Ben is survived by his wife, Dorothy; his children: Bill (Marie) Stapel of Howell, Mary (David) Percell of Chelsea, John (Claudia) Stapel of Chicago, and Theresa (Kevin) Edwards of Howell; seven grandchildren: Alexander Edwards, Christopher (Angelina) Edwards, Joseph Edwards, Joshua (Sarah) Edwards, Andrew Edwards,Casey Edwards, and William “Will” Stapel; three great-grandchildren; and four siblings, Elly DeBruijn-Stapel, Ad Stapel, Rosemarie Stapel, and Marian Stapel, all of the Netherlands. He was preceded in death by two children lost to miscarriage; a stillborn son, Paul; a sister, Ineke Franken-Stapel, and a brother, Carl Stapel.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church in Chelsea on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 10:00 a.m., and the Rosary will be prayed at 10:45 a.m.
Interment will take place at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Louis Center, 16195 W Old US Hwy 12, Chelsea, MI 48118, or St Bonaventure Secular Franciscans, 1780 Mt Elliott, Detroit, MI 48207.
Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.
