Donald E. Stiles

HONOR — Donald E. Stiles, 82, of Honor, passed away on his birthday, Sept. 11, 2008, at Paul Memorial Hospital in Frankfort. He was born in St. Clair Shores on Sept. 11, 1926, to Ralph and Gladys (Wolfe) Stiles.

One of six children, Don grew up around Mt. Pleasant and later Lansing. He and his brothers had a "Tom Sawyer" childhood, and they loved to get together to reminisce about their adventures, leaving the children to wonder which ones were true and which were whoppers.

He graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School and enlisted in the Air Force during World War II. After discharge, he took flight classes in Lansing.

He married Billie Hilley in 1946. They moved to Ypsilanti, where their three daughters were born.

Don began working at Motor State, moving up the ranks until he took a job at Garwood Industries, turning a nearly bankrupt company into a thriving one. In 1967, he became the personnel director at Interlochen Arts Academy. He retired at the age of 42 and began a career as a stone carver, and developed a new business, Tamarack Trout Farms, which he later sold.

Don was known for his quick, dry humor. He was at ease with all people, joking with everyone, from corporate executives, to strangers in a check-out lane, to his great-grandchildren. He loved to cook so his kitchen was a gathering place for great food and great fun.

He was a man of all seasons and seemed have the ability to do everything well. He was creative, adaptable and a quick learner. He knew carpentry, masonry, plumbing and electricity, as well as geology. He possessed a self-confidence that allowed him to try anything.

Don enjoyed boating, fishing (particularly in the Gulf of Mexico), and traveling. He loved living in his home on Little Platte Lake, where he could watch the wildlife and the changing of the seasons.

He is survived by his loving daughters, Dodie Bedell, Gail Stiles and Patsy (Robert) Burkhart; his beloved grandchildren, Kasey Jennings, Heather Colby, Josh Bedell, Billie Deadman, Mandy Foulon and Cassidy Wysocki; and his beloved great-grandchildren, Tyler Catton, Dylan Colby, Rachel Colby, Sydney Deadman and Carson Deadman. He is also survived by his siblings, Dorothy Brewster, Jack Stiles and Joan Moffit; and his longtime companion, Jeanne Powell.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Billie Hilley; and his brothers, Harry Stiles and Jerry Stiles.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, Sept. 29, at 1 p.m., at the Bennett-Barz Funeral Home in Beulah, with the Reverend Jim Boehm officiating. The family will begin receiving friends at noon.

Memorial contributions may be made to Ducks Unlimited.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Bennett-Barz Funeral Home in Beulah; www.bennett-barzfuneralhome.com.

This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.