John STILWELL

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STILWELL: On Saturday, June 16, 2012 John Dixon "Jack" Stilwell of Brandon passed away peacefully with family by his side at the Brandon Regional Health Centre. Born November 29, 1920 in Baldur, Manitoba, he was the youngest of nine children. Jack attended school in Baldur and graduated from high school. When the war broke out, he joined the XII Manitoba Dragoons. Jack was deployed overseas and fought from the Normandy beachhead to the liberation of Holland. While on leave in Scotland, he met Agnes Aitken and they were married in Glasgow on May 16, 1945. They were inseparable for the next sixty-seven years. Jack trained as a bookkeeper in England, then returning to Canada attended university in Alberta for a period and at the age of 60, graduated with honours from the Certificate in Municipal Administration course at the University of Manitoba. After the war, Jack and Agnes returned to Baldur to build their lives, start a family and were blessed with three children. In 1952, they moved to Elgin Manitoba where they lived until 1996 when they moved to Brandon. While in Baldur, Jack worked for the Highways department and spent a winter working in a logging camp in Flanders Ontario. In 1952, Jack and family moved to Elgin where he singlehandedly built their family home. From 1952 to 1977 he developed his repair business - Stilwell Welding & Repair. His shop was a gathering place in the community with many a visit or argument taking place while repairs were being done. In addition to owning and operating his business, Jack wasReeve of Whitewater Municipality from 1971 to 1977. In 1977, Jack closed his repair business and became Secretary Treasurer of Whitewater Municipality. He retired in 1988. Jack was appointed Reeve of Whitewater Municipality in 1989 and served until 1995. When he was not working, Jack served on most community committees in Baldur and Elgin where he was president of the rink building committee, a member of the Elgin community committee, Chair of the 1971 centennial celebrations, President of the Elgin Legion, served forty years as People's warden and sec-treasure of St. John's Anglican church in Elgin as well as numerous other boards in Elgin, Whitewater Municipality and Manitoba. Jack was awarded the Canada 125 Commemorative Medal in 1992 by Governor General Ray Hnatyshyn, in recognition of his significant contributions to his community, Province and Canada. He had a love of the outdoors which included hunting and fishing plus he curled. In the mid 1950's, Jack built the family cottage at Pelican Lake where the family spent most summer weekends and where Jack and Agnes spent most of their summers in their retirement. Jack is survived by his wife Agnes; his children, Annie(Werner) Nowak of Winnipeg, Andrew (Penny) Stilwell of Winnipeg, Bill (Evelyn) Stilwell of Neepawa; grandchildren, Heather, Sean, Stephen, Scott, Greg, Tyler; great grandchildren, Hannah, Connor, Emma as well as numerous nieces & nephews. He was predeceased by all eight brothers and sisters. The Funeral Ceremony was held at Memories Chapel on June 22, 2012. Rev. John Dolloff of St. Mary's Anglican Church officiated. Interment followed in the Brandon Cemetery. Donations in memory of Jack may be made to the Brandon Area Community Foundation - for the Elgin Community, Box 22096, Brandon, MB, R7A 6Y9. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com.Arrangements withMemories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jun 30, 2012