Richard Stewart Obituary

Richard A. "Chick" Stewart

Richard A. "Chick" Stewart, 79, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, at CHP Defiance Inpatient Hospice Center.

Chick was born Jan. 24, 1944, in Van Wert, to Edwin (Chick) and Margaret (Peg Fowler) Stewart. He graduated from Parkway High School, Rockford, in 1962. He married Belinda "Bunnie" Gilliland on July 14, 1973, who survives and will cherish her memories of Chick forever. They shared 50 years of marriage.

They lived in Findlay from 1990-2013 prior to returning to Van Wert where they enjoyed being closer to family and life-long friends.

He worked at Federal Mogul from 1962-1966. Chick retired from Chrysler Corporation in 2001 after 36 years and then worked part-time at various jobs in Findlay and Van Wert.

Chick served in U.S. Army National Guard from 1964-1970 as a Staff Sergeant and Rifle Sharpshooter.

He was a member of Celina Moose Lodge 1473, Van Wert Moose 1320, Eagles Aerie 1292 in Rockford, The Grand Lodge Free & Accepted Masons Rockford, and Elks Lodge 1197 in Van Wert. He was a life member of DAV in Van Wert and AMVETS Middle Point.

He will be remembered for being a loving, caring husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. Chick always had a smile on his face and never met a stranger.

He played fast pitch and softball, golf, and also coached girls softball in his younger years. He found joy in travel, boating, playing cards, watching movies, gambling, and spending time with family and friends. Chick was a blood donor. He loved NHRA Drag Racing, Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Browns, and Ohio State football. Chick was blessed with close family and devoted and loving friends.

Those left to celebrate and cherish memories of Chick are his wife, Bunnie; two daughters, Dawn (Chris) Green of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and Nikki (Pete) Nagel of Manchester, Tennessee; four grandchildren, Alana (Shaq) Harris, Dylan (Angel) Nagel of Manchester, Tennessee, Maddie Almond in U.S. Air Force in North Dakota, and Nicholas (Sam English) Almond of Ft. Wayne, Indiana; three great-grandchildren, Bryant James, and Jayse and Taytum of Manchester Tennessee; brothers, Dave (Sherri) Stewart Tipp City and Joe (Jaylene) Stewart of Minster; sister, Judy (Roger) Dix of Antwerp; sister-in-law, Bev Gilliland of Chattanooga, Tennessee; brothers-in-law, Bob Gilliland of The Villages, Florida, and Al Burgan of Indianapolis, Indiana; and many special and loved nieces and nephews, Kim Wagner, Mark Wagner, Cindy Silvey, Chastity Stewart, Matt Stewart, Bryce Stewart, Kory Stewart, Chelsea Stewart, Maddie Stewart, Missy Geyer, and Patty Hoeffel. Chick's memory will forever be treasured by those who survive him.

He was preceded in death by his brother, James Stewart of Indianapolis, Indiana; sisters-in-law, Brenda Ables of Newark, Ohio, Sue (Baxter) Gilliland of The Villages, Florida; sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Dave Wagner of Convoy; and nephews, John Taylor and Brent Gilliland.

The family would like to thank the staffs of Lutheran Hospital, Select Medical Rehab Hospital, and CHP Defiance Inpatient Hospice for the care they provided.

A celebration of Chick's life open house will be 12-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, at Van Wert Elks Lodge, 1197 Elks Dr., Van Wert. This open house gathering will offer an opportunity for family, friends, and loved ones to come together to share cherished memories and pay their respects. A lunch will be provided.

The family kindly requests no flowers, but that memorials be made to Rockford Recreation Association, P.O. Box 16, Rockford, Ohio, 45882, or CHP Home Care and Hospice, 1159 Westwood Drive, Van Wert, Ohio, 45891. A basket will be provided for these at the Elks or can be mailed directly to the provided addresses in his memory.

Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded at cowanfuneralhome.com on the tribute wall.