STILLE, Chester R. (1902-2002)

STILLE, GAST, MECKSTROTH, LIPKA, SCHULZ, ANDERSON, FUNK

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society
Date: 2/19/2023 at 21:16:31

Chester R. Stille

Chester R. Stille, 99, of Garner died Saturday (September 21, 2002) at the Concord Care Center, Garner. His funeral was held 10:30 A.M., Tuesday at the United Methodist Church in Garner with the Rev. Kay Hooper officiating.

Music was provided by organist, Beverly Cataldo who accompanied soloist, Bill Renner and congregational hymns. Special music was provided by Robin Thada and Adam Thada. Ushers were Marvin and Maynard Schoneman.

Honorary bearers were the Garner Rotarians and their spouses.

Casket bearers were his great grandchildren, Johnathon Trone, Robin Thada, Matt Sell, Crystal Kruse, Josh Sell, Cinnamon Schulz, Jason Schulz, Clarissa Welsh, Adam Thada, Elizabeth Tedder, Brad Thada, Lydia Seelhammer, Chet Olson, Abby Olson, Jamison Alleman, Emily Olson and Chets special friend, Lori Garetson.

Interment was in Concord Township Cemetery. Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Chester Ray Stille, the son of August Frederick and Lydia Anna (Gast) Stille, was born October 4, 1902 on a farm in Liberty Township west of Klemme. He attended school in Garner where he graduated from high school in 1921. Chet briefly attended Iowa State University at Ames and then worked as a carpenter for his stepfather, Fred Meckstroth.

On August 5, 1925 he married Leorene Annona Lipka at the Forest City Methodist parsonage. They made their home in Garner their entire lives. Chet worked as custodian of the Central Park Grade School for 26 years where he took an active interest in the kids. He also sold Moorman Feed to the area farmers until he retired at the age of 65. Chet was an accomplished painter and wood finisher in the community. He enjoyed his morning coffee group which met at Bills Family of Foods. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping and collecting stamps, coins, and butterflies. As a woods artisan he collected wood specimens from around the world and from them, created objects d'art.

Chet was a member of the Garner United Methodist Church where he served in many leadership roles. He had been a Rotarian for nearly 60 years in Garner and had received his Paul Harris Fellowship Award. He was a Boy Scout Leader, served on the Boy Scout Council and had attended Boy Scout Ranch at Philmont, NM.

Survivors include his wife, Rene, of Garner; 2 daughters, Muriel Schulz of Klemme and Val Anderson of Garner; a son-in-law, Donald Funk of Gold Canyon, AZ; 8 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; a niece; 6 nephews; and a host of friends.

Chet was preceded in death by his parents, August and Lydia Stille; his step-father, Fred Meckstroth; daughter, June Funk; 2 sons-in-law, Dale Anderson and Robert Schulz; grandson, Mark Anderson; and 3 brothers, Roy, Earl and Cecil Stille.

source: News-Tribune, Britt, Iowa, 25 Sep 2002, page A8, column 3