Gerald A. Stilwell

Gerald A. Stilwell, 79, of Stoddard died peacefully at his home, with his family at his side on Monday August 2, 2010. He was born May 22, 1931 to George and Elsie (Michel) Stilwell in La Crosse. He was baptized at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Stoddard and confirmed at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Chaseburg. Gerald worked for Burlington Northern Railroad for 37 years. He married Joyce (Wolfe) on February 14, 1983.

He was a member of St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Stoddard. Gerald was an avid fan of DeSoto High School athletics and attended many football and baseball games. He enjoyed racing Coon Hounds with his brother Harland for many years. He was a proud sponsor of numerous demolition derby cars and enjoyed the stock car races in West Salem along with watching NASCAR. He also enjoyed horse pulls, especially the Carl Wolfe Memorial Horse Pull which he attended on July 24, 2010.

Survivors include his wife Joyce; 2 step daughters Mary (Bret) Haydysch of Onalaska and Jody Duwe of DeSoto; 2 step granddaughters Ashley and Amanda Duwe along with their father Bruce Duwe of Genoa; 1 brother Harland of Westby; 1 sister Darlene (Don) Zink of Stoddard; 2 nieces Verona (Fred) Lachman of La Crosse and Dawn (Dean) Nerison of Westby; 1 nephew David (Deb) Zink of Stoddard and their families; 3 brothers-in-law Irvin Goplin of Coon Valley, Robert (Lorraine) Wolfe of Brodhead and Awalt Wolfe of Stoddard and their families and a special friend Daniel Sandvick of DeSoto along with many other relatives and friends to mourn his passing.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister Betty Goplin; a sister-in-law Darlene Wolfe and a step great grandson Tristan.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday August 7, 2010 at St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Stoddard. Rev. Philip Arnold will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Friends may call Friday evening at St. Matthew's church from 5 to 8 p.m. and at the church on Saturday from 10 a.m. until service time. Memorials may be given to St. Matthew's Lutheran Church.