Obituary for DUANE L. "Bulu" STILLE
Duane Leonard ‘Bulu’ Stille, 93, of Sporley Lake, Gwinn area, passed away peacefully Friday morning, March 10, 2023 at the DJ Jacobetti Home for Veterans with his loving family at his side.
Duane was born January 19, 1930 in Negaunee to Leonard and Anna (Suline) Stille, and graduated from Negaunee High School, Class of 1948. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1948 serving during the Korean War, being honorably discharged in 1952. Following his service to his country he began his local career. Duane worked at the Tracy Mine, the US Post Office, and was the Mine and Safety Inspector for OSHA, from where he retired in 1990.
Mr. Stille was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Negaunee. He was a life member of both VA Romo Post #3165, Negaunee VFW, and the Little Lake American Legion, as well as a member of Negaunee Elks Lodge where he was a previous exalted ruler.
In his spare time, he enjoyed playing golf and pitching horseshoes, traveling, hunting, carpentry work, and was instrumental in starting the old timers baseball league. Above all, he loved spending time with his beloved family and friends.
Surviving are his loving wife, Donna (Vahamaa) Stille; his three sons: Bruce Stille of Waianae, Hawaii, Larry Stille of Gwinn, and David (Leslie) Stille of Lebanon, CT; his two daughters, Nancy (Mike) White of Montgomery, AL and Sandra (Rick) Kleckner of Negaunee; seven grandchildren: Ashlee (Dov) Kaye, Josh (Mary) Stille, Chris and Paige White, Jordan (Kristie Blakely) Kleckner, Cory (Robyn) Stille, and Amy (Adam) Johnson; 7 great-grandchildren; his brother, Dexter (Peggy) Stille; and nephews, Matt, Mike and Mark Stille.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Stephen Stille; a granddaughter, Jessica Stille; and mother-in-law, Idabelle Noble.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM on Wednesday, July 12th at Koskey Funeral Home in Negaunee. Interment and military honors will be held immediately following at Northland Chapel Gardens.
Mr. Stille’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com
Duane was born January 19, 1930 in Negaunee to Leonard and Anna (Suline) Stille, and graduated from Negaunee High School, Class of 1948. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1948 serving during the Korean War, being honorably discharged in 1952. Following his service to his country he began his local career. Duane worked at the Tracy Mine, the US Post Office, and was the Mine and Safety Inspector for OSHA, from where he retired in 1990.
Mr. Stille was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Negaunee. He was a life member of both VA Romo Post #3165, Negaunee VFW, and the Little Lake American Legion, as well as a member of Negaunee Elks Lodge where he was a previous exalted ruler.
In his spare time, he enjoyed playing golf and pitching horseshoes, traveling, hunting, carpentry work, and was instrumental in starting the old timers baseball league. Above all, he loved spending time with his beloved family and friends.
Surviving are his loving wife, Donna (Vahamaa) Stille; his three sons: Bruce Stille of Waianae, Hawaii, Larry Stille of Gwinn, and David (Leslie) Stille of Lebanon, CT; his two daughters, Nancy (Mike) White of Montgomery, AL and Sandra (Rick) Kleckner of Negaunee; seven grandchildren: Ashlee (Dov) Kaye, Josh (Mary) Stille, Chris and Paige White, Jordan (Kristie Blakely) Kleckner, Cory (Robyn) Stille, and Amy (Adam) Johnson; 7 great-grandchildren; his brother, Dexter (Peggy) Stille; and nephews, Matt, Mike and Mark Stille.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Stephen Stille; a granddaughter, Jessica Stille; and mother-in-law, Idabelle Noble.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM on Wednesday, July 12th at Koskey Funeral Home in Negaunee. Interment and military honors will be held immediately following at Northland Chapel Gardens.
Mr. Stille’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com