Charles J. Stillman

Charles John Stillman was born August 24, 1918, the son of Charles and Mary (Ryan) Stillman. He was raised on the family farm north of Emmetsburg. He was educated through the eighth grade at the Vernon #9 country school and then attended Emmetsburg High School where he graduated in 1935. Charles attended Emmetsburg Junior College for one year and one winter term at Iowa State University. During his time on the family farm, he served the rural community as a 4-H leader and a Rural Youth member. Charles was drafted into the Army and left for service on his 24th birthday, August 24, 1942. After basic training in Camp Walter, Texas, he was sent to the west coast and served 13 months in San Diego in the American Defense Command. He also served overseas in the 350th Infantry Regiment. He was injured twice. After the second injury, Charles spent five months in a hospital in Naples, Italy. He was then transferred to the states to Topeka, Kansas where he was hospitalized for four months after which he received a medical discharge. After the war, Charles met and married Maureen Murphy, of Emmetsburg, on January 4, 1947. To this union came seven children: Charles, Rose ...[more]

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y, Jerry, Tom, Joanne, Karen and Rich. Charles farmed eight miles north of Emmetsburg for 35 years. He served two terms on the Emmetsburg School Board and 24 years on the Pocahontas Rural Electric Cooperative Board. Charles also served on the Holy Family Parish Church Council for two years and as a Eucharistic Minister for several years. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Emmetsburg VFW Post #2295. After the death of his first wife, Charles married Jeanne Higgins from Ayrshire. With that marriage, his family expanded with two stepchildren: John (Linda) Higgins of Spirit Lake and Joan (Gary) Beckman of Iowa City. Charles enjoyed life to the fullest. Farming was his passion, but he also enjoyed several hobbies such as fishing, playing cards, and reading and attending or listening to E-hawk sporting events, but most of all he enjoyed spending time with family and friends and telling many stories of days gone by. After lengthy battle with prostate cancer, Charles passed away on Tuesday, December 20, 2011. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Maureen, and his second wife, Jeanne; a brother, Bill Stillman; two sisters: Laura Marcolini and Ruth Talenti; and a son, Charles Stillman III. He is survived by his children: Rose (Bob) Campney of Omaha, Jerry (Alice) Stillman of Graettinger, Tom (Lois) Stillman of Emmetsburg, Joanne (Dave) Garrelts of Emmetsburg, Karen (Duane/Yogi) McGregor of Algona, and Rich (Pam) Stillman of Emmetsburg, 17 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his two step-children: John (Linda) Higgins of Spirit Lake and Joan (Gary) Beckman of Iowa City; six step-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren; two sisters: Verona Stillman of Emmetsburg, Virginia Hermanson of Johnston and a brother, Phillip (Ann) Stillman of Emmetsburg.