Edward J. Stinner Jr., 71, of Orefield, died peacefully Sept. 22, 2025, at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, following a courageous 10-year battle with lung cancer.

Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late Edward J. Stinner Sr. and Joan R. Gergits Stinner.

He was a proud graduate of William Allen High School, Class of 1972. He earned his degree from Mansfield University in 1976. He dedicated 36 years of his life to teaching special education and emotional support at Trexler Middle School. Beyond the classroom, he was deeply committed to the Allentown community as a playground instructor and supervisor for the Allentown Playground Program, where he especially loved participating in Romper Day.

Softball was one of his greatest passions. Over nearly 50 years of coaching, he guided players on various high school and travel teams. As head coach at William Allen High School for 19 years, he led his team to the 1990 PIAA State Championship. Later, he contributed as an assistant coach at Parkland and Whitehall, celebrating another state title in 2015 with Parkland. Among his proudest memories were the years spent coaching his daughter, Deanna throughout her softball career and sharing the dugout with both Deanna and Kyle as fellow coaches.

He was also the longtime chairman of the Carole Weil Scholarship Fund, where he devoted 33 years to honoring the memory of a former player by providing over $125,000 in scholarships to local athletes through an annual college tournament and high school All-Star Game. His dedication to the sport and his players was recognized with inductions into the Lehigh Valley Softball Hall of Fame, Lehigh Valley Sports Hall of Fame and William Allen High School Athletics Hall of Fame.

Away from the field, he loved spending time with family. He enjoyed exploring U.S. national parks, was passionate about the Philadelphia Eagles and Philadelphia Phillies and loved beach vacations with his family.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 38 years, Melodie M. Schumaker Stinner; children, Deanna M. Stinner Moussa (Ramie), Kyle E.; sisters, Kathyrose Neff (Richard), Barbara Feiertag-Boehmer (Mark); stepmother, Sharon C. Landis Stinner; nieces, Jayme and Tanya; great-niece, Gianna; the Schumaker family; numerous God children; aunts; uncles; cousins; beloved dog, Chase.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Michael.

Heintzelman-Stephens Funeral Home, P.C. 274 N. Krocks Road, Allentown, handled the arrangements. Online expressions of sympathy may be recorded at www.heintzelmanstephens.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Ave., Philadelphia, 19111 and/or Friends of the Allentown Parks (Memo: Summer Romper Day Program), 3000 Parkway Blvd., Allentown 18104.