Date Of Birth: March 25, 1954
Date Of Death: January 29, 2012
George Kent Stillabower, 57, passed away Friday, January 27, 2012. He was born in Franklin, Indiana on March 25, 1954, to Kenneth F. and Frances E. Stillabower (both deceased).
George attended Franklin Central High School located on the south side of Indianapolis where he earned many athletic and academic honors. He went on to attend the University of Indianapolis, and later graduated with a business degree from Hanover College.
George was an accomplished businessman and leader who was respected by his peers in the business community. For the majority of his career, he held senior executive positions with Vernay Laboratories, and Belden Wire and Cable, among others.
George loved his profession. When he was not busy advancing his career, he followed his love of fishing, which he inherited from his father. He shared this love and passion by spending many hours on the water with family and friends.
He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Alice (Furnas); son, Kenneth (KJ); daughter, Amanda; sisters, Linda Lay, and Mary Frances Wright (Danny); best friend and cousin, Jim Adams (Carol); as well as a large extended family of relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held from 2:00 until 7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 2, 2012 at Harry W. Moore Funeral Care and Crematory, 8151 Allisonville Rd, with a memorial service to follow at 7:30 p.m.
Donations can be made to Indianapolis Inter Group, 136 East Market, Suite 1030, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 or the American Heart Association of Indiana, 100 West 96th Street, Suite 200, Indianapolis, Indiana 46278.
If you are unable to attend, we ask for your presence in thought and prayer.
Chuck Parker says
My deepest sympathy to George’s family. I reported directly to George for several years at Belden and while We didn’t always see eye to eye we respected each others views. George was a good, honest man who fought for what he believed in.
We killed more than a few brain cells together after meetings and solved many of the world’s problems. George will be missed.
Carolyn Jiles says
The world lost a good man when George took his leave. I was George’s admin at Belden for many years. He made me laugh; he made me cry; but he made me a better person for all of it. His heart was golden. He was ready to listen and advise. Alice, KJ, and Amanda. I’m so very sorry for your loss. May your many, many wonderful memories help sustain you through the years to come. cj
Whitt Adams says
I was very shocked today to receive the news about George’s passing. He was a real gem of a man. I fished with George several times in Islamorada Florida, and we always had a great time together and laughed. I also was in the same industry as George, although he was a ’wire and cbale guy’, and I am a ’steel enclosure guy’. George was planning on meeting a group of us in Florida again this year for another fishing adventure. I am deeply saddened at losing a very good freind and a mentor. My most sincere condolences to his family. Whitt Adams
Eric Sittloh says
Truly sorry to hear this news, my sincerest condolences go out to the immediate family and friends. George had a much respected work ethic and left an impression on me and those he interfaced with at Belden. Eric S
Earle Durham says
Alice, I am very sorry to hear about George. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. George was always a pleasure to work with and I enjoyed getting to know him. Earle
Candy Marendt says
To Alice and Jim,
I am so very sorry for your loss. I’m glad we had the opportunity to meet and know George. I wish you peace and healing at this sad time.
Sue Quigg says
Dear Alice,
Please know that we are thinking of you, Amanda, and KJ. We are holding you in our hearts. Hugs, Sue Q.
Mike Arnold says
Dear Alice, KJ, Amanda and family,
I am so saddened to hear of George’s passing. My sympathy and love go out to each of you in your time of sorrow. God bless. Sincerely, Mike Arnold
Tim Ralston Family says
Dear Alice and Family,
It was with great sadness that I heard of George’s passing. I worked for him for several years at Belden. He was a very supportive boss while we were at Belden together. I was happy to know him and get to meet his family. I enjoyed our times at your lake house for the manager meetings. You and he have two great children.
The whole Stillabower family are in my prayers. God bless.
Tim Ralston and Family
Kevin Miller says
My sincere condolences to Alice and the Stillabower family. George and I started at Belden at about the same time and I worked for him in various capacities for more than 12 years. George was a good, hard working man who always pushed for what he thought was best. I learned much from George over many years – he will be missed.
Michael Masucci says
Dear Alice and Family,
I was surprised and saddened to hear about your loss. I have many fond memories of working with George. Though we sometimes fought like cats and dogs I always knew we were both doing what we thought was right and there was always mutual respect. I also knew that though George was sometimes forced to take the corporate stance, I knew he was fighting the good fight behind the scenes. I was a big fan of his, we will miss him. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Don Koehler says
Dear Alice and family—we will keep you and the famly in our thoughts and prayers—I always enjoyed our crappie fishing trips at Lake of the Ozarks—fishing was not always great but the company was exceptional and we did not get enough of those trips in—he will be missed—Don Koehler
Derry Hallquist says
Dear Alice, KJ and Amanda,
Diane and I offer our most sincere condolences to you and your family. We have had so much fun together over the years. I first met George driving a forklift for me at the Ayres Warehouse Sales along with his dad Ken. That began a long history of many great times. George and I (and family) have had so many adventures together to name a few: Acapulco flying kites on the beach, Key West (KJ singing on Sloppy Joes’s stage), Hawaii on my 40th (Makena Beach), Alaska fishing at King Salmon and Eddies Fireplace Inn, Alaska and the airport authority, the bears at Katmai and fishing with them, Alaska at Illiama with the Airport Inn and the bears chasing the boys and us back into the truck’s cab, and of course all the 500 parties and the surprise Chase Wedding. George was always there when my health was a concern. He has been one of my best friends over the years and I will really miss my ’fishing’ buddy. We have always said ’life is just a series of upgrades’ and now he is in the best place. Rest in peace, George.
Kristina Kamstra Wilcher says
Dear Alice and Family: I and classmates are totally shocked at this loss as I am sure you are. George was a great guy and we were so looking forward to ’catching up’ again this year at our 40th! We are so saddened by this and many of us are praying for your strength at this dark hour.
Jennifer Ahaus says
Alice, Kevin and Amanda….I am so sorry to learn of George’s death. My favorite memory of him was at Debra and Mark’s Birthday Party at Forest Hills trying to putt in the dark. A kind person.
Hope your great memories keep you company during this trying time!
Sheila M Westerlind says
We were so very sorry to hear of Georges passing. We have such wonderful memories of him. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
Love, Sheila, Kevin and Brooke Westerlind
Joyce King says
When I think of George I think of boats, fishing, trips to the Keys and the fact that he was always nice to me. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dennis Cotter says
Just wanted to offer my prayers. I worked with George for as number of years at Belden and miss him dearly!
Dennis Cotter
Phil Foster says
All my memories of George are good ones. He was a good friend and fraternity brother. He will always be fondly remembered. ZAX et PAX.
David Welsheimer says
Sorry to hear of George’s passing. I new him briefly from my year at Hanover, but reaquainted with him thru my sister Carol Adams and brother-in-law Jim. One can take solace knowing he is in a better place. My sincere condolences to his family.
Elaine Apple says
Alice & Family – My sincerest sympathy to all of you on George’s passing. I recently saw him at Carol’s dad’s service, and he recognized me from high school days. As you go through this time, you all will be in my thoughts and prayers!
Scott Landis says
Shocked to hear the news! Had the pleasure of working for George for several years – I always appreciated the way he treated and supported me. He was an honest, hard working man… He was in San Jose on business a while back and glad I took him up on his offer to get together and catch up on things! Just wished I had taken him up on one of those fly fishing trips to the Florida Keys where he desperately wanted to hook a tarpon with his fly reel! My prayers go out to Alice and the family.
David McCarthy says
Please accept my deepest sympathy. I have fond memories of the time I spent with George at Belden and enjoyed being a member of his team. He will be missed by all of us.
Ann Zore says
Alice and Family,
As you know, I was fortunate to have George at Belden as a manager, mentor and, best of all – friend. He was always extremely supportive of me — both professionally and personally. I will miss him. We had many a good trip to Latin America. And, I remember being truly saddened when he told me that he would no longer be my manager as he was leaving the international department for a domestic management role. His version has always been that a tear rolled down my check (as it does again today). I have no reason to dispute his version.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, KJ, Amanda and extended family at this very difficult time. I hope soon that we can get together to share laughs and stories. As my husband says, “consider yourselves hugged”. Fondly, Ann
Ann Quigg Curtis says
Alice, KJ and Amanda,
You all are in my prayers for strength and peace. I’m so, so sorry.
Ann
Brad and Lynn Himelick says
KJ, We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours,
Sincerely, Brad and Lynn Himelick, Laurel MD
Les Miller says
Up until 5th grade ,George and I were childhood friends, when I moved to Beech Grove. We saw each other regularly on the playing fields and basketball courts. We last saw each other when we were in our college years. I am so sorry to recieve this news! I know we drove his sisters and parents crazy as we stumbled through life as children! We shared the most impressionable part of our life together along with Billy Russell who I still see when possible. God bless George and God bless you! George put in a good word for me I know I’ll need it! Les
Renee Clinard says
I am deeply saddened by George’s passing. I worked for George at CMW and he was a great mentor! He was a very astute businessman and a respectable leader. I will truly miss him, as I know you will. Sorry for your loss, may you receive much comfort in your time of need. God Bless.
Rose Lockwood says
I am deeply saddened by the news of George’s passing. Work with him for many years at Belden and he was a wonderful person and cared about all of us that worked for or with him!!!
My deepest condolences to the family, my prayers are with you all.
Rest in Peace George.
Patty Dice Smith says
So sorry to hear about George’s death. I remember him very well from Hanover College. What a nice guy! I had not see him since then, but it appears he lived an excellent life. My condolences.
Sue Rodgers says
Mary and Linda, My heart goes out to the both of you on the loss of your brother. Such a sudden, unexpected death, and at such a young age. You are in my prayers. Love, Sue
Steve Bork says
I knew George for many years as a supplier for Belden and had more recent dealings with him at CMW. He was very down-to-earth, intelligent, friendly and he conducted himself with absolute integrity. I knew many people at Belden who had worked for George and admired him greatly. George made a difference to many people, including me. I will miss him. Please accept my most sincere condolences.