Wesley James Stewart

Loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, great uncle, and friend, passed away Saturday, September 8, 2012 at the age of 72 at home surrounded by family. Wes was the son of the late Richard Grant and Edna (Bailey) Stewart born August 4, 1940 in Harrisville. He was a graduate of Oscoda High School, class of 1959. Wes married Patricia Spillar August 15, 1998. He had been employed throughout his adult life in many jobs in the field of construction and metal fabrication and retired from Starboard Industries of Tawas in 1992 where he was employed after receiving a degree in tool and die manufacturing from Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse City. Wes loved baseball, football, western movies, woodworking, fishing, hunting, and gardening. Until his health declined, Wes attended church regularly with his family at the Harrisville United Methodist Church and was a former member of the Oscoda Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie #4237, where he loved going on Wednesday evenings to pitch horseshoes and Friday nights for Karaoke. Above all Wes loved his family and friends often going without to make sure others had what they needed. He was at home, in the woods, and on a boat, truly a man for all seasons. Surviving are his wife, Patricia (Spillar) Stewart, of Harrisville, MI; his children, Debra (Ken) Keech, of Kalkaska, MI; Macklin (Tonya) Stewart, of Harrisville, MI; John (Stacey) Stewart of Black River, MI; Kristina (Terry) Zuchowski, of Spruce, MI; Morgan Stewart, of Harrisville, MI; Michael Spillar, of Harrisville, MI; Michelle Rayner, of Traverse City, MI; Michael (Mehrzod) Rayner, of Mission Veijo, CA, 11 grandchildren, Kendell (Adam) VanMeter, of Mt. Morris, PA; Nate Keech, of Kalkaska, MI; Josh (Erika) Keech, of Fife Lake, MI; Ashley and Zachery Rayner, of Mission Veijo, CA; Logan Zuchowski, of Spruce, MI; Blake and Chase Goodin, of Frasier, MI; and Matthew, Tara, and Christian Spillar, of Oscoda, MI, six great grandchildren, Jordan Keech, Aubry, Ayden, and Lelynd Keech, and Savannah and Hunter VanMeter, three sisters; Evelyn (Arthur) Good, of Lincoln, MI; Janet (Robert) Johnson, of Jacksonville FL; Vivian Griffin-Miles, of Mikado, MI; three brothers, Gordon (Becky) Stewart, of Harrisville, MI; Arlyn (Linda) Stewart, and Wayne (Carol) Stewart, of Longview, TX. He was predeceased by his parents, his parents-in-law, William and Patricia Spillar, Loyalhanna, PA; a brother, Leslie Stewart, two sisters, Connie Jones and Elenore Stewart. At Wes’ request, cremation arrangements have been through Gillies Funeral Home, Lincoln. A memorial gathering will be held Saturday, September 15, 2012 from 1:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. at The Alcona Township Hall in Black River. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider Heartland Hospice of West Branch. The family would like to thank our friends on “the block” and family for all the support and help during his extended health decline, especially Dan and Tammy Brandt and family. Morgan, Mike, and myself will never be able to repay all the help and kindness you’ve shown to Wes and our family over the past years. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Wesley James Stewart, please visit our flower store.