Donald Edward STILING

Age 83, of Sebastopol, Donald Edward Stiling passed from this life and was received by his Lord March 31, 2012. His was a life well lived. A selfless, loving, and courageous man, he was born in Huntington, WV on June 12, 1928. Don was a child of the depression, but rose to become a corporate executive and trend-setting winegrower. The only son of the late Benjamin Edward Stiling and Eva Mae Chafin Stiling, Don moved to California early in life and spent his formative years in Ventura, graduating from Ventura High School in 1946. He then attended Ventura College and the University of California, Berkeley where he completed a Masters in Industrial Engineering in 1951. That same year, he married his high school sweetheart, Margaret "Peggy" Joan Raysor, who also graduated from Cal. Don began a long and noteworthy career with the Proctor & Gamble Company, first in Long Beach, CA, and then rising through management ranks to P&G's headquarters in Cincinnati, OH. He and Peg raised a family of four boys in Ohio and participated in many church and community events, always giving their all. In 1976, Don became International Paper Company's Director of Purchasing in New York City. Residing in Greenwich, Connecticut, he achieved success in business, church and community activities. Peg passed away in 1981, and Don later returned to northern California in the mid 80's to remarry and settle on 50 acres in Sebastopol. Here he left an indelible mark, becoming one of the premier wine growers of Sonoma County. With the help of his wife Barbara, he continued to excel, never forgetting where he came from or where he was going. He is survived by Barbara Stiling, of their Sebastopol home, three sons, Gregory (and wife Christine) Stiling of Farmington, NC, Douglas Stiling of Cincinnati, OH, Jeffery (and wife Karen) Stiling of Beaverton, OR, daughter-in-law, Mrs. James H. (Susan) Stiling, of Fairfield, 10 grandchildren, one great granddaughter, and his faithful canine companion Luke. He was preceded in death by his first wife Peggy and his eldest son Jim. The family would like to express our deep appreciation to Don's caregivers of the last four years, especially Mr. Eppi Boginisoko who was an angel sent from heaven and Fiji, to care for Don. Don was a truly amazing person, especially in his resolute purpose to get the job done. We will miss him greatly. C.S. Lewis wrote: "Our sorrow now will be a measure of the joy we will know then, when in heaven heart shall find heart." A Memorial service will be held in Don's honor at the Sebastopol United Methodist Church at 3:00 p.m. on April 28. Friends and family please visit, sign in and view the guestbook online at The Press Democrat. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Parkinson's Support Group of Sonoma County, 1717 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95405