Kenneth William Christopher Stillman

Kenneth William Christopher Stillman, age 95, of Arapahoe, Nebraska passed away on Friday, March 14, 2014 at Good Samaritan Hospital, in Kearney, Nebraska. He was born on July 18, 1918, north of Arapahoe, Nebraska in Gosper County to Ernest W. Stillman and Marie Haussler Stillman. Kenneth was baptized and confirmed at St. Matthews Lutheran Church northwest of Arapahoe. He was confirmed on June 18, 1933. He received his formal grade school education at St. Matthews Parochial School. He attended high school for 2 ½ years at Oxford, Nebraska and the remaining time at Stamford, Nebraska, where he graduated from Stamford High School in 1937. During those years he worked for farmers in the Oxford and Stamford areas. He then returned to farm with his father northwest of Arapahoe until entering the army on May 21, 1942. He served as a medical technician in a field hospital of the 8th Army in the Pacific Theater until December 2, 1945. Then he returned to farm in the Arapahoe area. He met his love, Elda Bloch, when she was working at the Derby Café in Arapahoe. They were married at Immanuel Lutheran Church north of Arapahoe on June 6, 1948. They made their home on a farm northwest of Arapahoe. A son, James Kenneth Stillman, was born to them on May 2, 1949. They were members of St. Matthews Lutheran Church until its closing in 1965. He served for St. Matthews on their Finance Committee, Secretary, Treasurer, and Elder until its closing. Then they became members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Arapahoe, Nebraska. In 1989, due to health problems, they moved to Arapahoe. He loved working with the soil and animals. He was no stranger to hard work, as he worked long and hard on the farm with his crops and animals. Kenneth was preceded in death by father, Ernest Stillman, in 1982, his mother Marie Ellmers in 1970, his brother David Stillman in 2008, his sister Lucille Kincaid in 2001, and brother-in-law Everett Kincaid in 2005. He is survived by his wife: Elda Stillman of Arapahoe, Nebraska Son: James & wife Chun-yen Stillman of Chicago, Illinois 2 Grandchildren: Alice & Aaron 2 Great Grandchildren: Josiah & Rachel Condolences or personal reflections can be left at wenburgfuneralhome.com Viewing and visitation will be Wednesday, March 19, 2014 from 10 AM till 8 PM at Wenburg Funeral Home and prior to the service at the church. Funeral services will be on Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 10:30 AM at the Trinity Lutheran Church, in Arapahoe, Nebraska with Rev. James Moshier, officiating. Interment will be at St. Matthews Cemetery at Arapahoe, Nebraska. Military rites will be given by the Edison American Legion Post #343 & Nebraska Army Honor Guard. Wenburg Funeral Home of Arapahoe, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.