Wayne Stillman
Friday, December 24, 1937
Date of Death:
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Age:
86 years old
Visitation
Date: Sunday May 26, 2024
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Location: Zumbro Lutheran Church [ view map ]
Memorial Service
Date: Sunday May 26, 2024
Time: 1:00 pm
Location: Zumbro Lutheran Church [ view map ]
Reception and Lunch
Sunday, May 26, 2024, 2:30 p.m. at the VFW, 2775 43rd Street NW, Rochester, MN 55901
Macken Funeral Home is not involved with this service. Please contact the family with any questions.
Friday, December 24, 1937
Date of Death:
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Age:
86 years old
Friday, December 24, 1937
Date of Death:
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Age:
86 years old
Wayne Stillman
Wayne Stillman
December 24, 1937 – May 15, 2024.
Wayne Stillman, 86, was born in Rochester, Minnesota to Alfred and Josephine Stillman. Wayne married his high school sweetheart, Carol Ramsey at Zumbro Lutheran Church in Rochester, Minnesota in 1958. Wayne and Carol are the parents of four sons, Richard (Dolores), Randall, Russell, and Ron (Katherine) who reside in Colorado. Wayne and Carol also have six grandsons, Adam (Melissa), Marc, Paul, Nick, Corey, Cameron, one granddaughter, Camille, and two great-grandsons, Collin and Evan.
Upon graduating from Rochester Central High School in 1955, Wayne joined the Army. While serving active duty, Wayne received a personal letter requesting he join a new reserve program which consisted of six months of MP training and return to Rochester to serve four years in the MP reserve unit formed in Rochester.
Wayne worked for Bergstedt Paint company in sales and later became a sales/service man for Cranston typewriters. Wayne bought Cranston typewriters in 1969 and eventually renamed it Stillman Office Machines. He was in this business for 45 years, but people remember him most for completing one of the finest memorials in the country, Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial in Rochester. Dedicated in 2000, the Memorial was completed without the use of tax dollars and is valued at an estimate of over $6 million. The Memorial exists to honor the veterans of Southeast Minnesota past, present, and future, and the sacrifices they have made for our freedom.
Wayne was very active in the Rochester Jaycees in the 1960s and received numerous rewards for his activities. His favorite projects in the Jaycees were booking and working with several shows featuring country music artists, including his favorite, Johnny Cash. In 1966, the Rochester Jaycees adopted the 173rd Airborne in Vietnam to show support. It was during the 1995 reunion of the 173rd that the idea for a memorial was born.
Wayne worked on numerous projects benefiting veterans. He started the local Wreaths Across America program, did many fundraising projects for the American Legion and the VFW, and assisted the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) on their fundraiser for several years. Wayne volunteered with the Salvation Army by feeding the under-resourced, Christmas shopping for families in need, and serving on the board. Wayne served for one year on a Mayo Clinic advisory board and met Mayo Clinic patients that were undergoing treatment for esophageal cancer, a treatment he went through in 1999. Wayne assisted in keeping the Veterans Day section of the Post Bulletin going by selling advertising. Wayne organized a Veterans Day program every year to honor our veterans with the help of volunteers.
Wayne was the recipient of the local, state, regional, and DAR national community service award in 2007, which he travelled to Washington DC to accept. This award was especially meaningful as it represented Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial. Wayne received many additional awards from various organizations too numerous to mention for his lifetime of community service work in Rochester.
In January 1999, Wayne was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, which resulted in retirement and selling the business. He continued working with veterans and the veteran’s memorial until his passing.
Wayne is survived by his beloved wife, Carol, four sons, seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and a sister, Judy. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and two sisters. Farewell to a wonderful Community Leader, Wayne Stillman will be greatly missed.
The family of Wayne Stillman requests no flowers.
Condolences
The family of Wayne Stillman has received the following condolences.
Carol, Ron, Randy, Russ and Rick.
My heart is heavy as I send you all my thoughts and prayers. I wish we could be with you at Wayne's memorial.
I was fortunate to grow up a block away from your family -- So many great memories of Wayne - and the entire Stillman family. Wayne was an exceptional guy -- I will always remember his sense of humor and quick wit. As a kid, I looked forward to the quick-witted jokes he would deliver as he greeted me when I walked in the front door of your home. Wayne was smart, driven and very funny - and that made a great impression on me at a young age -- and continues to this day. He was our little league baseball coach, a successful businessman and of course, led the efforts to build the Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial. Wayne could pretty much do anything he set his mind to.
My deepest sympathy for your loss and thank you so much for sharing Wayne with the rest of us.
Sincerely,
Jeff (Ernie) Nelson
My father, Ray Sibley, who was on the Soldiers Field Memorial Committee, thought the world of Wayne. He enjoyed his involvement with the memorial and the opportunity to work with this wonderful man. Rest in peace Wayne.
To Carol and the rest of the Stillman family, thank you for sharing Wayne with so many of us over the years. I met Wayne like many through the efforts of the SFVM and other related aspects by supporting our military and law enforcement past and present. Wayne was in my eyes a true community hero and we were so blessed to call him a friend. He was a mentor and advisor in so many ways leading up to the development and ongoing construction of the law enforcement memorial. I(we) counted on Wayne's advice in so many ways. There will always be a place in my heart for Wayne Stillman. Thank you, sir, rest in peace!
Carol and family.
It was a pleasure to know Wayne. Launie and myself served on many PWM boards and committees with Wayne. He also helped Launie to get her father on the 1st Honor flight. Myself and her father also have pavers at the Memorial. Wayne will be greatly missed as a neighbor in our Association and in the Community. Thank you Wayne for your service.
Our Deepest Sympathy,
Ralph and Launie
Dear Carol and family,
We are so very sad to learn of Wayne’s passing. We have so many fond memories of your visits with our Mother. We are so thankful for your friendship. We are so sorry that missing Wayne’s funeral is unavoidable for us. We hope to talk to you soon. Every time we pass the Soldier’s Field Memorial we are reminded of Wayne’s work.
You, Wayne and your family are in our prayers.
Mary and Ann
To a wonderful man/father/boss ever.....You will be missed dad....luv u forever. Randy Stillman
THANK YOU SIR FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE
Wayne was a good man! I had the pleasure of working with him on the Memorial for many years. He never took no for an answer and good thing he didn’t or many tasks wouldn’t have gotten completed. We shared a lot of laughs together and I enjoyed his company, his wit and his support over the years. Condolences to Carol and the Family.
RIP. Thank you for all of your greatness for the Veterans Memorial! My father has a stone there. He was proud of that. Rest well! I’m sure you will receive many handshakes from your Military brothers in heaven ????????