By Karah Wilson
karah@southerntorch.com
RAINSVILLE, Ala.— Last month D.L. Stiefel was named Rainsville’s 2015 Person of the Year, an award bestowed on a deserving citizen each year by the Rainsville Chamber of Commerce. Stiefel was honored for his accomplishments on Jan. 21 during the 49th Annual Rainsville Chamber of Commerce banquet. Stiefel’s wife, Carolyn, nominated Stiefel for this award and introduced him to the crowd. “He is a positive influence on all who know him,” Carolyn said.
Stiefel moved to Rainsville with his parents in the early 1950’s as a child. He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1966 rather than waiting to be drafted. He spent four years serving during the Vietnam War. He moved back to Rainsville in 1971 where he’s lived ever since. While Stiefel’s children were attending Plainview, he was the president of the PTO and an officer in the band boosters. Along with serving on school committees, he participated in the summer baseball program and officiating football games.
Stiefel spent over 20 years on the Board of Directors for Rainsville’s original civic center. He was also a member of Rainsville’s JC Club and the Lion’s Club, in which he was president for two years. He was appointed to the Rainsville Industrial Development Board in 1983 and now serves as the current chairman. Stiefel has also owned and operated several small business within Rainsville. He was also on the Rainsville Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors from 2004 to 2007. He now serves on the board of directors as chairman for the Community Action Agency in Rainsville.
Stiefel volunteers to teach driving classes for senior adults as well. Stiefel has served on every committee at his church for 44 years and became church administrator in 2007. He was on the staff that helped during the deadly 2011 tornadoes and helped coordinate a temporary housing program. Stiefel was also the overall coordinator for 5 years for the Freedom Fest.
During his speech, Stiefel went on to talk about his childhood and his time in service. Before beginning his speech, Stiefel said, “I would like to thank the Chamber for selecting me for this honor, and it really is an honor. It’s very humbling as well.”
