Marty Sticht

ADVANCE, Mo. — Marty Lee Sticht, 70, of Advance passed away Wednesday, March 13, 2019, at his home.

He was born Jan. 7, 1949, the son of Leo Paul and Jerry Mae Dickman Sticht.

Marty was drafted into the U.S. Army in August 1968. He did basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, from August through October and then was sent to Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was shipped to Bien Hoa Air Base in Vietnam in January 1969 for a one-year tour of duty. He was then stationed in Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colorado, from January to August 1970, when he was released from the Army after his two-year draft commitment. He was a specialist fourth-class or a corporal.

After he was released from the Army, he bought a trailer and a small piece of land his son now owns and has built a house on. He worked for Cape GMC Pontiac a few years until he could afford to open up his own shop, Advance Auto Sales.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and also a member of the Advance Knights of Columbus.

Marty first met the love of his life, Dorothy Leible, at Jackson Homecomers. He then met her again at Apple Creek, Missouri, picnic, and they started dating in 1967. They were united in marriage May 4, 1968, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Apple Creek. In 2018, they celebrated their 50th/golden wedding anniversary. They had their first child, Charity, in 1975, followed by Leo in 1977 and John in 1979.

Marty was an amazing man. He had a love for antique cars and we considered him to be our local “American Picker” or “Junkyard Refugee.” He had an eye for finding a treasure in any pile of junk, whether it be along side the road, in a box, in a broken down barn or local yard sale or flea market. “One man’s junk is definitely another man’s treasure.” He was also the one everyone came to when they had a part to a car they needed identified. If he didn’t know it off the top of his head by looking at it, he knew how to navigate the internet to find it.

He had the biggest heart and was one of the most giving individuals. He was known for towing cars or going to unlock a vehicle at all hours of the day or night. At times, he usually did this out of the goodness of his heart and wouldn’t take payment in return. He truly would give you the shirt off his back if it meant helping someone in need.

His legacy will live on through his kids, Charity, Leo and John, and grandkids, Gavynn and Colton. He did a great job passing on his big and giving heart to each of them, and he was a teacher of many things. He knew the meaning of dedication, whether it be to his wife, kids, community, church and country. This shined through with his family by his marriage to his wife, Dorothy, and them celebrating their golden 50th anniversary in 2018. It also shown through with his long commitment to the Advance chapter of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion and St Joseph Catholic Church.

Also, he was an Army veteran and served in the Vietnam War.

He was a visionary and an entrepreneur at heart. He was the owner and operator of Advance Auto Sales, which he started in 1972. He built his own creation of a car called the Elegante. Marty was a man ahead of his time, utilizing his vast knowledge of the classic American automobile and eBay to sell parts all over the world. They broke the mold with Marty Sticht. There will never be another one like him and the world is a better place because he was here.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Sticht; a daughter, Charity Ann Sticht (Dean) Little of Scopus, Missouri; two sons, Leo Lee (Vanessa) Sticht of Advance and John Travis (Amy) Sticht of Scott City; a sister, Loretta Yvonne Proffer of Jackson; and two grandsons, Gavynn Leo Sticht and Colton Paul Sticht.

He was preceded in death by his parents; cousin, Wesley Mediocle; aunt, Goldie Green; and grandmother, Letha Dickman.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., with rosary at 7 p.m., Monday at Morgan Funeral Chapel in Advance.

A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Advance. Burial will follow at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield. After the burial, a lunch will be served at Advance Knights of Columbus Hall.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Joseph Catholic Church Renovation Fund.