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Gerald ‘Jerry’ Benjamin Stilley
Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and good friend died from brain cancer (Glioblastoma) in the arms of his wife on June 12, 2018, at Kootenai Health Hospital after a courageous three-month fight. We have all been blessed having him in our lives. He was a perfect example of a gentleman. He was honest, hardworking, patient, kind, caring, giving, strong and loving. He loved to laugh. Many have described him as a ‘sweet man.’
Jerry was born in Chadron, Neb., as the first-born son of Hilda “Tillie” Hofferber Stilley and Benjamin Franklin Stilley, on April 22, 1937. The family moved for a short time to Yakima, Wash., and then to San Diego, Calif., where his father was a Safeway manager. Jerry attended elementary school at Alice Birney Elementary School and when his father was transferred to the Safeway in Encinitas in the north county, the family moved to Del Mar, Calif. Later on he lived in Encinitas where he attended San Dieguito Junior-Senior High School. There his athletic ability blossomed and he became a 3-year, 3-sport letterman — football, basketball, and baseball. He was popular, fun loving and a good student, graduating in 1955. At that time, he and his friend enlisted in the Marine Corps.
Jerry was stationed at several bases in Southeast Asia during his enlistment where he accompanied prisoners from those bases to Japan. He loved the Corps and was a dedicated Marine all his life. After his enlistment he returned to Encinitas and worked in the lumber business and with the National Cash Register Company. A state prison, R.J. Donovan, was constructed south of San Diego, and being experienced in handling prisoners he became a correctional officer with the California Department of Corrections. He continued as a C.O. until his retirement. After retirement he worked for the Padres organization.
Jerry was a devoted San Diego Chargers fan. He purchased season tickets in 1963 and remained a 53-year ticket holder until he released the tickets in 2016 upon the Chargers’ move to Los Angeles. He never gave up hoping that the Chargers or the Padres would win the ultimate championship for San Diego.
It was at a high school reunion that Jerry met his high school sweetheart, Luella Elie, again. Romance bloomed and they were married in 1992 in a garden wedding at Luella’s sister, Patti Hinz’, home in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Lue and Jerry moved up to Coeur d’Alene after Lue retired. He ‘adopted’ her three adult children and it wasn’t long before the ‘loves of his life’ began to come along. His world revolved around his grandchildren—Taekwondo, music concerts, award ceremonies, basketball, baseball and soccer games. It didn’t matter what it was, he was there sitting proudly. He told the Grands that it didn’t matter what they chose for their lives, he would be proud of them and that he loved them. For us, he said to appreciate all that we have and to love deeply.
His wife, Luella, survives Jerry as does his three ‘adopted’ children, James (Rachel) Elie of Post Falls, Idaho, Erik (Claudia) Harsch of Fullerton, Calif. and Jilara Skindlov of Hayden, Idaho; his five ‘awesome’ grandchildren, Gunnar Skindlov, Konar Skindlov and Erika Skindlov of Coeur d’Alene and Caleb Harsch and Cole Harsch of Fullerton; his brothers, Herb (Sallie) Stilley of Mesa, Ariz. and Ron (Devon) Hammer of Paradise Valley, Ariz.; sister, Debbie Clark of Burbank, Calif.; sister–in-law, Patti (Joel) Hinz Walker of Post Falls, Idaho; nieces, Kris Hinz, Jody (Frank) Wiles, Lori (Dave) Collas, Sharon (Mark) Schell, Allison Robinson and Lauren Yanofsky; nephews, Mike (Marti) Hinz, Aaron (Misty) Hammer, David Stilley, Eric Stilley and Corey (Elaine) Stilley. His parents; two brothers, Steve Stilley and Denny Hammer and nephew, Jeff Hinz preceded Jerry in death.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots https://www.toysfortots.org.
A memorial gathering is 4 p.m. on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, at English Funeral Chapel, Coeur d’Alene. Reception immediately following. Jerry will be interred with full military honors at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, July 27, 2018, at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego.