Willis H. Stine

"Well done, my good and faithful servant," was the greeting that Willis (Bud) Stine received on Saturday, December 14, when he arrived in Heaven. Bud was born in Wheatland, WI on August 4, 1932, the second son of Lon and Alma (McManus) Stine. He grew up farming in the Burlington and Waupaca areas.

He served in the US National Guard, and was then drafted into the US Army at Fort Knox, KY and Mainz, Germany, achieving the rank of Corporal. He returned from Germany in 1955 to join his wife Ardine Peterson and the first of their three daughters. Returning to school, Bud completed his GED and continued his education, earning a diploma in Auto Mechanics Technology in 1959. He was still in the National Guard while working at the Chevy garage. Bud then started working at Rockwell Standard, and used his mechanical talent to teach one semester of automotive skills at the local technical college.

In 1994, he married Jane (Schneider) Blanchette, and after retirement from Rockwell, he stayed busy with family, friends and church activities. He enjoyed fishing in Florida and hunting in the woods of Waupaca. A man of many abilities, he not only worked on cars, but knew how to make all sorts of home repairs. This resulted in lots of calls from his daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was always willing to help wherever needed, and did it with a sly sense of humor.

Arriving in Heaven, he rejoined his wife Jane, parents, brother Wayland Stine, sister and brother-in-law Dora and Bob West, brothers-in-law George Frey and Arlen Peterson, great grand-children Brielle, Braxton, Bryce and Brewer Coats, companion Judy Seiler, as well as other loved ones.

Bud is survived by his daughters and sons-in-laws: Dottie (Bob) Reinke, Linda (Peter) Glander, Sherri Sue Stine (Andrew) Doemel, their mother Ardine Barry, sister Joyce Frey, brother Victor (Carol) Stine. Also grandchildren Faith Goodacre-Reinke, Stephan Glander, Megan Stine, Eleah Glander, Jordan Brown, Beau (Lindsey) Doemel and Dannielle (Matt) Coats. Great grandchildren are Nick and Ty Heuer, Rebekah (Ryan) Franti, Finleigh and Hudson Burton, Thomasin Brown, Blandon and Bristol Coats, and Brody and Blake Doemel. Uncle Bud will be much missed by his many beloved nieces and nephews as well.

Bud's daughters would like to thank the caregivers at Senior Helpers and the Aurora Hospice staff for their excellent care of our father as his health waned. A celebration of life will be held for Willis (Bud) Stine at the new location of RiverValley Church, 425 N. Washburn St., Oshkosh on Friday, December 20 with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m., service at 11:00 a.m., military honor and luncheon to follow. Interment will take place at Lake View Memorial Park at 2:00 p.m.