Stephanie Wilson

Stephanie J. Wilson passed away peacefully on March 1, 2012, just 18 days before her 94th birthday. She was born in Battle Creek, Michigan on March 19, 1918, the daughter of Felix and Stella (Kokoszka) Kwiatkowski. She attended Battle Creek Public Schools but left before graduation to be employed by the Kellogg Company. She changed her name to Florist as that was the English translation of Kwiatkowski. Stephanie met Jack K. Wilson and they were married on May 30, 1942 in St. Thomas Episcopal Church. Shortly after, she left her job at Kellogg’s and worked in the family business, Wilson Stores, until they closed in 1962. She was always a hard worker and enjoyed doing things for others. She traveled with her husband during the time he was a Battle Creek City Commissioner and on many trips to Shriners’ Children Hospitals, but she preferred spending time at home gardening, sewing and general “crafting”. In 1967, she happily returned to work at the Kellogg Company. She was a member of the Kellogg 25 Year Club and retired in 1985. Shortly after, Stephanie accomplished something she had left undone by proudly earning her GED in just five weeks. During the last part of their 53 year marriage, Stephanie and Jack enjoyed many winters in Florida and summers at the family cottage on Walloon Lake. Stephanie is survived by her daughter: Joanne (Kenneth) Leche of Battle Creek; granddaughter: Karyn (Robert) Smilanich of Safety Harbor, Florida; great-grandchildren: Robert, Jacob, Noah and Kaley Smilanich; her dear friend and caregiver, Detria DeWalt and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her son: Jack K. Wilson II, two sisters: Mary Soeroff and Jean Miller and three brothers: Bernard, John and Stanley (Stosh) Kwiatkowski. Funeral services will be held Friday, March 9, 2012 at 12:00 p.m. at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home with Rev. David Morton officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the St. Joseph’s Indian School, Shriners’ Hospital for Children or the Salvation Army.

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