ERIKA KATHARINA STAPLETON

Erika Katharina Stapleton, 85, Cicero, formerly of North Syracuse passed away peacefully on May 26, 2026. Erika was born October 1, 1940 in Köln, Germany and raised in Prüm, Germany. She came to the United States a few years after she met and married her husband, Charles K. Stapleton on April 4, 1959 when he was stationed in Germany. They were stationed at several Air Force bases, including Eglin AFB, Florida, Selfridge AFB, Michigan and finally Hancock Field NY. They went on to have 4 children. Erika was a wonderful mother who loved her children, grandchildren, and great children with her whole heart. She was an exceptional cook, making many meals for her family. Her sauerbraten, potato pancakes, and potato salad were legendary. A child of war-torn Germany during World War 2, she had memories of having to hide in shelters during bombings. When she was about 9 years old, she and her twin sister, Monika, had to leave school to help at the family store after their father was injured during an explosion. She had a very hard childhood, but never felt that way. They were happy that they could help and never complained. After her husband retired, they settled in North Syracuse. She worked at the NCO club at Hancock Field, NY, Benjamin Rush Center, Williams Grocery Store and Mario’s Bakery. She loved going to Point Place and Turning Stone Casino to donate money. She loved the New York Yankees, Buffalo Bills, The Price is Right, and would watch Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy with her great grandsons every night and it gave her so much joy. She loved to plant flowers, especially rose bushes- she had such a green thumb. She had a great sense of humor and made people laugh by the things she said. She made friends wherever she went. She was predeceased by her husband of 39 years, Charles Kenneth Stapleton; her sons, John Gilbert Stapleton and Dennis Wayne Stapleton; her parents, Johan and Katharina (Braun) Regnery; a sister, Hildegard; brother, Peter; and birth parents, Anna (Regnery) and Rudolf Schommer. Erika’s memory will be cherished and kept alive by her daughters, Catherine (Ron) Santocki, Monika (Tom) Dudley, Debbie (Keith) Wallace; daughters-in-law, Carol Kreydatus and Betty Ruth Stapleton; 7 grandchildren, Brandi Wallace, OJ (Becky) Stapleton, Adam Stapleton, Jamie (Jason) Gielarowski, Daniel (Lindsay) Hayes, Tyler Stapleton, Casey Stapleton; 6 great grandchildren, Emily Stapleton, Molly Stapleton, Joshua Gielarowski, Jordan Gielarowski, Jacob Gielarowski, and Eliana Erika Hayes; her twin sister, Monika (Wolfgang) Rolef of Prüm, Germany; and her nieces and nephews, also of Germany; and she also had a son, James (Lisa). Per her request, there will be no calling hours. Private family services will take place at the Onondaga County Veterans Cemetery and a Celebration of Life will take place on June 14, 2026 at the Central Square American Legion Post 915, 3301 Fulton Ave., Central Square, NY 13036 from 2:30 – 5:30pm Donations in her name can be made to Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network General Fund in memory of Erika Stapleton.

ERIKA KATHARINA STAPLETON

October 1, 1940 - May 26, 2026