J.C. Stilwell

J. C. Stilwell 84 of Mackinaw City passed away peacefully Saturday evening, January 26 at Mackinac Straits Hospital following a short illness. He was born in Emmet County near Mackinaw City on August 9,1928. to John C, and Inez (Quinn) Stilwell. J.C will be remembered as an icon in the Straits Area, and was an Iron Worker Local 340 and worked on the Mackinac Bridge from in inception in 1954 until opening in 1957, and has honored the Iron Workers with a fabulous Museum in Mackinaw City for over 30 years. He was the founder of the International Iron Workers Festival and that has continued for over 30 years. He has been a businessman in Mackinaw City since 1964, owning MaMa Mias Pizza on Central Avenue;; a w ell known business in the area where familiies could come and dine and enjoy a reasonable meal.It was destroyed by fire in August, 2005 , and was rebuilt and reopened in May 2007.. . He never retired and was busy at the Restaurant until closing in the fall of 2012. J.C also built the Flamigo Motel in 1954 and is still run by his son and daughter in law Jay and Fay.. He was an active member of the Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce; Sons of the American Legion; and St.Anthony Catholic Church. He also sailed on the Chief Wawatam for a short time. He is survived by his wife Debbie; children, Gary and Val Stilwelll, in Mississippi; Donna and Michael Kronick, in Missouri; Kim Stilwell, Clawson; Jay and Fay Stilwell. Mackinaw City; Jalynn Schnur, Kalamazoo; step children, Michelle and Keith Cornell, St.Johns; Michael Thompson, Rock Springs, Wyoming; his father in law, Leonard Swagart, Cooks;; many grand children and great grandchildren; nieces and nephews and a host of friends..He was preceeded in death by 8 brothers and 1 sister, his parents, and a son, Jason. Visitation will be on Monday, January 28 at St.Anthony Catholic Church in Mackinaw City from 6 to 9 pm, with a Vigil service at 8 pm under the Direction of Sister Chris Herald. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, January 29 at 11 am with Fr. Harry Speckman and Sister Chris officiating. Visitation also will be from 10 to 11 am on Tuesday. Memorials may be directed to St.Anthony Catholic Church; Food Pantry of Church of the Straits or Wawatam Senior Center with envelopes available at the visitation or from Dodson Funeral Home, St.Ignace who assisted the family with arrangements.

Tributes

J.C. Stilwell

January 26, 2013