John Stengel Senior Has Passed Away, we just heard this sad news. John Stengel Senior died today after a long battle with cancer. John was the owner of Marxman which was a fixture at various shows around the country. Also John ran several toy soldier shows. You knew John was at a show with his six foot high display loaded with plastic figures and accessories. John’s tables would have new and old figures. You could find many interesting things at his table. I have as others have bought from John.
I have know John for years. We had many pleasant conversations at shows. I will always remember those conversations. John will be missed
My condolonces to family.
Specially to Stengel Juniors who I always talk when see.
I had few time met senior at his sponsored new Yorker show at Queens .NY and was very entusiastic and talkative person.May rest in pease and never forgotten.
At this moment of hardship may his son stronger .
I’m hurt to hear that. I enjoyed buying and talking with John at San Antonio.
May he rest in peace, Russ Arendell
May I add my condolences. I had many a pleasant conversation with Mr Stengel back in the pre-Internet days when I received mailing lists and ordered over the phone. I don’t know how many times a “quick” order would turn into a two-hour conversation of this or that project or a favorite playset. It was both a pleasure and an honor to finally meet him at San Antonio. Though it’s been several years since I had the opportunity to speak with him I not only feel the enormous loss to our hobby, but also a personal loss. I can only imagine the loss felt by those who knew him much more closely than I.
To John Jr, condolences and thanks to your Dad for not only the great contributions he made to our hobby but also some fond memories.
Condolences to John Jr. So sorry for your loss. I am glad i got to meet and know your father. He was quite the character. Meghan and i will always remember the good times we had at the Chicago shows. Peace, Love, And Happiness.
Oh, man. I’m really shocked. I was looking forward to seeing him at the Freeport, Long Island show. John and I go back to the day he started in this business. It was at the JFK Airport show back in the late ’70’s. John had a table next to mine and we became friends ever since that day. I was to his home dozens of times and I watched his kids grow up.
God damn cigarettes killed him. He couldn’t stop, no matter what.
Our ranks grow thinner.
God speed my friend.
I guess most of us knew John hasn’t been well for the past year or so, but to learn of his passing is certainly a shocker. I remember way back when his kids were little rug rats running around and getting into mischief at shows. Now they are all grown up with families of their own. My heart goes out to his wife, his children and his grand kids, and our hobby all of which have lost a good man.
Very sad news. I never met the Stengels but I admire all he has done for our hobby.
When I saw John Stengel Jr. at OTSN on Thursday morning, I inquired about his father, and at that time he was still alive with no expectation of imminently passing away.
When I got back home Saturday evening, it was a shock to see on this website his father had passed away while John Jr. was still at the show.
I always liked both father and son, and looked forward to seeing and interacting with both of them each year when the Chicago, Michigan, and Indiana shows rolled around.
I’m genuinely sorry not to have John Sr. with us anymore.
On behalf of the Hill family I just want to say John will be greatly missed. He has always been a great friend and mentor to me over the year in toys. I am going to miss him very much. To his wife and kids I send my love.
John will be missed. My condolences to his family.
It was a sad day indeed, when John Jr informed me of his dad’s passing. I always considered John JR and SR as my fiends and I will miss John , his stories and his sense of humor. The world is truly a sadder place without him.
John was always ready with a smile and a corny joke or two, he loved visiting the rooms and loved trading. I met him years ago and got to know him better at the Texas Show( a) . He and John Jr. were always fair and honest in their dealings with me as I’m sauté they did with many others.
Prior to the Annual opening of a MIB Marx playset Craig Remington gave a very moving eulogy on John and asked for a moment of silence in his honor. No exaggeration, you could have heard a pin drop, and there were more than a few sniffles.
We ‘re going to miss you John, we know you will be there in spirit with us at future shows.
Rest in peace my friend,
Mike K
I heard the news at the show, hoped it was not true, John Jr came to my room later in the day and I knew right away.
What a gut punch; John and I always had fun at the shows, he had a great ability to make me laugh at the most important times, like he sensed I needed it and he’d deliver every time.
All I can say is I am a better person for having known him, God’s speed to you John, I’ll see you again someday.
The room is getting dusty now, time for me to sign off ………..
Sad news for the family of our hobby.
God will take him to his side until we meet again.
rest in peace.
There went a great guy. Every time I talked to him it was fun and lively. Guys like him made the hobby twice as fun and he added lots to it with his creations. My sincere condolences to his family.
Saddened to hear news of John’s passing. He was one of the best. Will miss him and his efforts in the hobby. Always had a story or experience to share that entertained me and made me glad to know him and his beautiful family. They will be remembered in my thoughts and prayers.
There will be a “In Memory of John Stengel Toy Soldier Collector” remembrance book at our show this Sunday. Everyone is invited to write a couple of sentences in memory of John in the book. The book will be given to his family at the end of the show.
Great idea and well thought Bill.
I’m sure everyone will write great words x his family to remember x ever!!! 🙂
What a thoughtful thing to do, I am sure his family will cherish that book.
Going to have an extremely difficult time keeping it together on Sunday, not going to lie about it, that hall is going to be really, really dusty for me……………..
I wish I was going so I could sign the book.
If you want to send me any thoughts you would like to add to book I wwill have Laurie or someone add as my handwriting is so bad any more.