Obituary of Phil Stilwell

Philip “Phil” A. Stilwell, 81, resident of Doniphan, MO passed away on October 5th, 2023, in Bentonville, AR with his family by his side.

Phil was born January 14, 1942, in Doniphan, Missouri to the late Jack and Irene Stilwell.

The family grew up in Ripley County and Phil graduated from Doniphan high school in 1959 and Arkansas State University in 1964 where he earned a Bachelor of Science - Business Administration degree.

Phil and Jeannette Slagle, of Naylor, MO, were married on May 29th, 1964. After marriage, Phil became a State Farm Insurance Claims Adjuster and they moved to Flagstaff Arizona.  A few years later, they missed home and relocated to Cape Girardeau Missouri and lived there until 1976. Phil accepted a State Farm Insurance Agent position in 1977, and the family moved to Chillicothe, Missouri.  He retired in 2002, after a successful career with State Farm where he was known as a loyal and passionate advocate for his customers, many of whom became lifelong friends. In 2006, he briefly came out of retirement to help his daughter, Jennifer, with her State Farm Agency in Liberty, Missouri.  After his second retirement, he moved home to Doniphan, Missouri where he enjoyed playing golf, working on the golf course, and restoration of the Ripley County Courthouse clock.

Phil was a great dad, grandpa, papa, great-grandpa, uncle, brother, brother-in-law, and dear friend to all.  In addition to spending time with his family and watching them play sports, he was an avid quail hunter and enjoyed traveling, golfing, reading and Sudoku.  He was also a proud member of the Mason Friendship Lodge #89 and a former deacon in the First Christian Church.

Phil is survived by his wife, Jeannette (Slagle) Stilwell, children Phillip “Jeff” (Sharon) Stilwell of Bella Vista, AR, Jennifer (Don) Hubbs of Liberty, MO, Steve (Jackie) Stilwell of O’Fallon, MO; a sister Evelyn Ederer of Doniphan, MO; brother-in-law Larry Casteel of Doniphan; sister-in-law Rose Gossett of Doniphan, grandchildren Allie (Chris) Chezem, Makena and Bella Hubbs, Hannah (Tanner) Davenport, Lucas, Katie, and Betty Stilwell; great-grandchildren Isaac and Meena Chezem, Ephraim and Gideon Davenport; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Phil was preceded in death by his brothers, Jackie and Donnie Stilwell and his sister Bonnie Casteel.

The funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 12^th, 2023, at 1 p.m. at the Doniphan Cemetery Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to The Stilwell Family Cemetery, Attn: Jennifer Hubbs, 9759 N Cedar Ave, Kansas City, MO 64157 or to Quail by linking this convenient hyperlink, Quail Forever