Silas Stewart's Obituary
After a brief illness, Silas Stewart died on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. He passed peacefully in his sleep, at home, surrounded by loved ones.
Born on March 16, 1940 in Jamestown, Tennessee, Si was the youngest of nine children and the last surviving sibling. Seeking better opportunities, his parents, James Albert and Ida Belle Stewart, moved the family to Muncie, Indiana in the mid-1940s where he spent his childhood. In 1958, he joined the United States Army where he served for three years, both stateside and overseas. During leave from duty in Germany in 1961, he met and fell in love with Janey Jo Redkey. They married in October of 1961 and settled briefly in Muncie where their first child, Tina Jo Stewart was born in 1962. In 1963, the young family moved to Decatur, Illinois where Si took a job at Wagner Castings. Soon after this move, their second child, (Eric) Scott Stewart was born in 1964. Si was with Wagner for 40 years beginning as a grinder and ending his career as the General Forman of three departments. In the intervening years, he was also an active AIW Local 728 union supporter including serving as the Chairman of the Bargaining Committee for several years. Once retired, he was able to spend more time doing the things he loved, including painting, reading, working in his backyard, watching Bears football, telling stories, rooting for his favorite NASCAR drivers, and spending time with his family. Si loved the sun and warm weather, so retirement also meant that he and Janey could spend many of their winters in Arizona with friends and family. They especially enjoyed hiking White Tank Mountain in Phoenix. He was funny and soft-hearted, and he loved his family deeply. He will be missed.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 62 years, Janey Stewart; his daughter, Tina Stewart Brakebill, his son, Scott Stewart; his grandson, Cody Stewart; and his great-granddaughter, Gabby. No public ceremony is scheduled. The family will hold a private memorial at a later date. In lieu of flowers, friends and family can make a donation to their favorite charity.
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