David STIREWALT

STIREWALT, David David Earle Stirewalt was born April 9, 1940 in Newton Centre, Massachusetts, where his father was studying at Andover-Newton Theological Seminary. The oldest son of Christine O'Farrell Stirewalt and Earle Franklin Stirewalt, a Baptist minister, he grew up in towns all over his home state of Georgia, including Dublin, Lithonia, Madison and Millen. He graduated from Jenkins County High School in Millen, and studied at Mercer University in Macon before entering the United States Coast Guard, where he served honorably in Alaska as a hospital corpsman. A visit to Lithonia with his parents reintroduced him to old family friends and their daughter, Anne Marie Stembridge. Three years later, he and Anne Marie were wed - the beginning of 50 beautiful years of marriage together. For most of his adult life, he lived in Lithonia, where he raised his family as a devoted husband and loving father to his three children and worked tirelessly as a plant engineer at Lithonia Lighting in Conyers, Georgia. After more than 30 years of dedicated service, he retired from Lithonia Lighting and soon moved to St. Simons Island, Georgia, where he spent 16 years watching the ocean that he loved and enjoying the beauty of the handiwork of the Lord that he loved. In St. Simons, he was a member of St. Simons Presbyterian Church. A warm and generous man, he loved helping others. Always giving of his time, talent and resources, he lived the life of a humble Christian, practicing what he preached and setting the example for his family and friends. He is survived by his loving wife, Anne Marie Stirewalt of St. Simons Island; a son, Richard Erick Kurt Stirewalt (Eileen) of Athens; two daughters, Cheryl Keith Stirewalt Still (William) of Cumming, and Leslie Kristiaan Stirewalt Anderson (Pete) of Marietta; his sister, Rita Marie Burge (Charles) of Greensboro and St. Simons Island; his brother, Richard Paul Stirewalt; and twelve grandchildren. Arrangements are being handled by Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home in Brunswick, Georgia. A celebration of Christian life will be held at the St. Simons Presbyterian Church on St. Simons Island at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 1, 2014. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Simons Presbyterian Church.