Stanley W. Kirkwood

September 5, 1948 - January 19, 2021

Stanley Kirkwood, passed away at his home on January 19th, 2021 after a long battle with cancer. He was grateful to be surrounded by his family. Stan was born on September 5th, 1948 in Ellwood City, PA. He attended California University of Pennsylvania where he met the love of his life, Thea. They traveled across the country, living in Pennsylvania, Maryland, California, Illinois and finally Michigan. Later, he received his MBA from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Stan lived an extraordinarily full life. He held occupations ranging from social worker to kindergarten teacher to CIO of La-Z-Boy. He loved coaching his son’s soccer team, attended countless swim meets, volleyball tournaments, dance recitals, and was the creator of fantastical bedtime stories. He loved to dance, read, play cards, tend to his expansive lily garden, and create beautiful stained-glass lamps. Stan’s legacy is devotion to his wife and family, enduring friendships, spiritual uplifting and personal humility. Stan is survived by his wife, Thea Kirkwood; son, Justin (Sarah) Kirkwood; daughters, Julia (Brad) Kimball and Emily (Joel) Walker; grandchildren, Lukas Kimball, Tyler Kimball, Emily Kimball, Gregory Kirkwood, Leto Walker, and Everett Kirkwood; sisters, Debbie (John) Wallace, Vicki (Andy) Homner; In-laws, Theodore and Dorothy Cheselske; brother-in-law Dennis (Debbie) Cheselske; sisters-in-law, Joyce Whitford, Dianne (Bert) Primo, Paula Pushic and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry Wayne and Ida Mae Kirkwood. Stan took great pleasure in his participation on the board of his beloved Crystal Lake. Memorial donations can be made to the preservation of Crystal Lake via the non-profit foundation. The address is Crystal Lake Perch Foundation, PO Box 193, Somerset Center, MI 49282. There will be no public service at this time.