Samuel J. "Sam" Stellrecht

Samuel J. "Sam" Stellrecht Battle Creek Samuel J. "Sam" Stellrecht, 89, of Battle Creek, died at Southwest Regional Rehabilitation Center Wednesday, September 24, 2008. I passed away Wednesday, September 24, 2008 after spending 89 years made wonderful by many friends and loved ones. I was the second child born on the 25th of June 1919 to Jacob and Reva (Bailey) Stellrecht on the Mississippi River on my grandparent's farm in Muscatine, Iowa. In my early years I worked with my father learning his trade as a harness and shoe maker. After graduating from high school I attended Iowa State University until the fall of 1941 when I was drafted and because of religious beliefs was assigned to the Department of Agriculture and Forestry Service in California and mental institutions in Washington and New Jersey. In 1943 I married Louise (Hess) in Spokane, Washington. After the war I joined Stanley Engineering as a structural draftsman before returning to school with my wife. After completing my BS degree in Landscape Architecture with a major in city planning, I joined the firm of Harland Bartholomew and Associates in St. Louis, MO. Later, Louise and I moved to Battle Creek where I became the resident Planner in the preparation of comprehensive plans for the cities of Battle Creek, Springfield and Marshall. In 1951 I was hired by the City and Planning Commission of Battle Creek as its Director of Planning and Community Development; a position I held for 31 years until my retirement in January 1982. During this time, Louise and I had three children and they blessed us during our 61 years of marriage with 8 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. As the family matured our vacations were spent traveling and camping throughout the U.S. and Canada. This interest continued into our retirement years attending family reunions in the U.S., Germany and Amsterdam and trailer caravanning in Alaska, Mexico, Canada, and the U.S. In 1954 we joined First United Methodist Church which became our worship and fellowship center where I served many years on the administrative board. Following Louise's passing in 2004, Jeanne Winer became a very special friend and companion and I was embraced by her family. I did enjoy the many years spent in Boy Scouting and the 20-plus years as a charter member of the Calhoun County Planning Commission. (The preceding was written by Dad) Dad's main passions in life were his family, church, community, cooking and Brass Band concerts. He cherished family gatherings, attending the activities and sporting events of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and even changing diapers. He enjoyed being outdoors, nature and animals. Dad liked hunting but it was more about the dogs than bringing home a trophy. He was recognized for his ongoing involvement and contributions in the community by the city naming a park in his honor, awarding him to the Volunteer Hall of Fame, and in June he was awarded the Salvation Army's Volunteer of the Month. Recently he was on the committee for the church's 175th anniversary celebration. Dad's special project was restoring the clock tower. Sam is survived by his daughters, Ann (Larry) Postula, Linda (Dan) Crawford of Battle Creek, and son Kim (Carla) Stellrecht of Ann Arbor; eight grandchildren, Kathy (Dan) Schwartz, Elizabeth (Thomas) Schwartz, Scott Crawford, Just Crawford, Jake Crawford, Jodi (Tony) Brandi, Chae Stellrecht, and Brynn Stellrecht; and great-grandchildren, Abigail, Josiah, and Jayna Schwartz. He was preceded by the death of his wife, Louise, and his sister, Elizabeth (Charles) Gilmore. At the request of the family, friends may call after 2:00 p.m. Thursday, October 2, 2008 at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home where they will be received 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 p.m. Services to celebrate Sam's life will be officiated by Dr. Donald R. Ferris at the First United Methodist Church 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 4, 2008. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com