STILWELL, Ethel May

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ January 18, 2008 Ethel May Stilwell, 95, of Holbrook died Monday, Jan. 14, 2008, in White Mountain Lakes at the home of her daughter. Ethel was born May 25, 1912, in Hancock, Wis., to the late Elmer Ellsworth and Regina Margaret (Czarneski) Shepard. At the age of 17, Ethel married her childhood sweetheart, Weybourne Irish Stilwell on April 22, 1930, in Waukegan, Ill., "at ten o'clock in the morning." They would have celebrated their 78th wedding anniversary this spring. She was a loving wife to her husband, a devoted mother to her children and grandchildren throughout her long life and an excellent homemaker. In the early years of her marriage, Ethel worked for a rocket factory in munitions during World War II in Badger Village, Wis. She then worked as a telephone operator for the Plainfield Telephone Company in Plainfield, Wis. In 1959 Ethel and Irish moved to Casa Grande, then to Mesa and, finally in 1961, to Holbrook where they have since resided. While in Holbrook, she continued to work as a telephone operator, until her retirement in 1977. On several occasions following her retirement, she and Irish were able to travel back and forth to her native Wisconsin where she thoroughly enjoyed visiting with family and friends. Ethel was a faithful member of the Holbrook United Methodist Church and found joy by serving her church family in various capacities over the years. She was a gifted seamstress and could make just about anything. Her daughters and granddaughters all were benefactresses of that talent, as they were able to enjoy her handmade dresses. She also was skilled with crocheting and enjoyed tole painting numerous items over the years. Ethel especially liked being outside working in her garden where she always had beautiful flowers growing. This sweet lady truly will be missed. Ethel is survived by her husband, W. Irish Stilwell of Holbrook; daughter Regina Wrasse of White Mountain Lakes; four grandchildren, Carl Wrasse of White Mountain Lakes, Cynthia Teigen (Michael) of Kingman, Clayton Wrasse of Show Low, Heather Saunders (Dan Laszlow) of Phoenix; five great-grandchildren, Michael Holladay (Monica) of Springville, Calif., Alivia Wrasse, John Wrasse, Benjamin Wrasse and Sam Wrasse, all of Show Low; two great-great-grandsons, Cameron and Caelan Holladay; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Judith Saunders in 1996; granddaughter Regina Michelle "Roo" Saunders in 1993; and son-in-law, Carl Wrasse Sr. in 1998. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m., Friday, Jan. 18, at the United Methodist Church of Holbrook, 118 W. Arizona in Holbrook. Owens Mortuary of Holbrook handled the arrangements. For those who have special memories and would like to send private condolences, or would like to sign an online guest book visit www.owensmortuary.com.