Vivian Stilwell, 85 / Sept. 21, 1925 — Jan. 15, 2011
Published 10:45 pm Monday, January 17, 2011
Vivian Ann Stilwell of Dowagiac passed away Friday, Jan. 15, 2011 at Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph.
Vivian Stilwell, 85
Vivian’s life began Sept. 21, 1925 in South Bend, the daughter of Walter and Clementine (Stazewski) Urbanski.
She was united in marriage to Richard “Dick” Stilwell on Jan. 20, 1945 in Dowagiac. Vivian worked beside her husband at The Stilwell Co. for 59 years in Niles. She continued to work at the company after his death, working 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day. Vivian worked right up to her passing, a total of 63 years.
She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star 263 in Dowagiac and Silver Creek United Methodist Church. Dick and Vivian were very active in the Niles Four Flags Apple Festival, where they were named King and Queen of the Apple Festival in 2000.
She is survived by her loving family, including her sons, Tim R. (Gloria) Stilwell of Niles and Ned A. (Jeanie) Stilwell of Inverness, Fla.; five grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Richard Urbanski of Indian Lake, Walter (Eldora) Urbanski, Jr. of Dowagiac and Henry (Virginia) Werus of South Bend; three sisters-in-law, Mary Stilwell of Dowagiac, Pat Stilwell of Dowagiac and Sharlene Minshall of Congress, Ariz.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Dick, in 2006 and brothers-in-law, Ted, Leo and Jack Stilwell.
Vivian’s family will gather with friends Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Yazel & Clark Chapel, where her funeral service will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. led by Pastor Julie Greyerbiehl of the Silver Creek United Methodist Church.
She will be laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to the Four Flags Apple Festival or Silver Creek United Methodist Church. Please sign her guestbook and leave a memory of Vivian at www.yazel-clark.com.
