Rev. Arnold Berton Stilwell

Reverend Arnold B. Stilwell Jr. Arnie died Tuesday, January 21, 2014. He was born in Owatonna, MN November 29, 1930 son of late Arnold Bert Stilwell Sr. and Myrtle E. (Edwin) Stilwell. He grew up in St. Paul, MN, graduated from Macalester College, St. Paul in 1952, graduated from Northwestern Theological Seminary, Minneapolis in 1955, and was Ordained in 1955. He was Chaplain in the Air Force 1955-1958. He served parishes in WI, IA, and IL. He was an interim pastor from 1991 in the East Central Synod of WI until his retirement. He had many talents working with the cemetery and funeral industry and was AKA the Balloon Man in Chicago and St. Louis areas. He was a member of Rotary in Belleville IL and Kiwanis in Elkhorn WI. He was especially proud of his dog Zach. Arnie along with his wife Penny were Therapy Dog Handlers at AMC and Martha Siekman Cancer Center. Arnie and Zach brought a lot of smiles to both patients and staff. He is survived by his wife, Penny, of 34 years. He was the father of Elyse, Greg, Jeff, Marco, Scott, Susanne, Valerie, and John (deceased); grandfather of 9 grandchildren (1 deceased); and great-grandfather of 8. A funeral service for Arnie will be held Friday, January 24, 2014, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Rev. Karen Jewell officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the service. In lieu of flowers a memorial to the Theda Care Hospice has been established. Thirty years ago he was part of a new experiment in the St. Louis area beginning a Hospice Program in a new living facility for people like himself. He was part of the development and on the board, what an important impact over these years it has become for all of us. We are so grateful for these people who gave themselves for others, they are truly Angels from God. Thank you Theda Care Hospice from the bottom of my heart.