Stephen R Stilp

Stephen proudly served with the United States Navy from May 20, 1943, to April 12, 1947, as a radio/radar operator and tail gunner in a Grummen TBM Avenger, aboard various USS carriers. He received the American Theatre, World War II Victory, Asia Pacific Area, Phillipine Liberation and Air Medals as well as the Navy Unit Commendation.

Stephen decided at age four that he wanted to be a pilot and following his dreams, put himself through flight training by buying himself a Piper J3 Cub and hiring a private flight instructor. On August 3, 1956, he obtained his commercial pilot license. During his career flying with Capitol Air, he was quickly promoted to Captain and ultimately flew a DC-10, one of the largest planes at the time. While flying he met the love of his life, Patricia Muehr Stilp, of whom he recently said "she takes good care of me," an understatement. He retired from Capitol Air in November 1984 after nearly 30 years of flying internationally and he never looked back. In fact, when asked if he ever flew for pleasure, Stephen would say he was tired of living out of a suitcase and only wanted to look up in the sky for duck hunting. In September 1985 Stephen relocated to Pilot's Nob farm in rural Ettrick.

He was a wealth of sayings, picked up in all the many countries through which he traveled, and right up until the day he left us, he would surprise his family and friends by coming out with yet another saying. "If you can't be good, be careful." "Andale muchachos!" "Mele Kalikimaka!" Along the same lines, he knew all the Irish drinking songs one person could manage. He even heralded himself as the one who, when landing in a Dublin pub, joined an already boisterous group. He sang with such vigor that those around proclaimed, "Glory be ta God, he's one of us!"

Stephen was never shy about letting his opinion be known and he was no different in showing how proud he was of his 3 daughters, Stephanie (Dave) Wells of Knoxville,TN; Jacqueline (Herc) Ligdis of Knoxville, TN; and Mary Jo (Lawson White) of Brooklyn, NY.

After retiring, Stephen would rather sit at "the farm" and count the deer and turkeys in his 165 acre backyard; however, he did make exceptions to visit Ireland, where he threatened to move if this country didn't "straighten itself out," and Knoxville to see his grandchildren, Coby, Keleigh, Drew, and Michael, whom he loved dearly.

Stephen was a lifetime member of the Airline Pilots Association, American Legion, VFW, USS Bonhomme Richard and USS Randolph Associations and Knights of Columbus.

Stephen's priorities in life were his Catholic faith and family. In addition to his wife of 36 years, Patricia, his daughters and grandchildren, he is survived by his brother, Frank (Barbara) Stilp and an aunt, Katherine O'Keefe Hughes.

In memoriam,"To fly west, my friend, is a flight we all must take for a final check." - Author unknown.

May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rain fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Please join us in celebrating his life with a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, January 9th at 10:30 AM at the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman-Marian Chapel. Msgr. Charles Stoetzel will officiate. Entombment with military honors will follow in the Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral & Cremation Service of La Crosse on Wednesday from 5:00 7:00 PM and at the church on Thursday from 9:30 AM until the time of services. A Rosary will be recited Wednesday evening at 4:45 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to thanksusa.org or a charity of your choice.