Michael Duane Stairwalt

GALVA - Michael Duane Stairwalt, 74, of Galva, passed away on January 29, 2023 at his home.

Michael was born March 4, 1948 to Lydia Johnson and Frederick “Ted” Stairwalt in Peoria, IL. Michael graduated from Galva High School in 1966. He was a tri-sport standout as a left hander in basketball, track, and baseball. He then went on to college.

He married Karen Murphy in 1967 and had two children, Troy and Nicole. They later separated. Later on, he met and married Marybeth Seifert in Kewanee, IL and had three children, Zach, Josh, and Megan.

His favorite saying was, “Not all who wander are lost.”  With that perspective, Michael started his career in coal mining in Illinois in the early 1970’s at Ken Coal Mining in Kickapoo. His mining career took him across the Western United States and from coal to gold and silver mines. From Wyoming to Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada and Montana and then across the ocean to Africa. He was the operations and maintenance leader for copper mines in Zambia and Ghana. Then to Central America to run phosphorus mines in Bolivia, Chile and Mexico.

From all of his travels he collected experiences, friends, knowledge, and fond memories. While working in Zambia he met and married Janet Lombe. They eventually moved back to Illinois to help care for his ailing mother.

He was a proud Masonic Member for 53 years, and he held those beliefs close to his heart for all of that time.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick “Ted” in 1982 and Lydia in 2016 and a son, Jason Swift. He is survived by a sister, Patricia Mellin and her children Kim, Bryon, and Michael. Troy and his children Anthony and Rhonnie. Nicole and her children Caden and Addyson. Zachary Stairwalt, Joshua and his wife Courtney and their children Jacob, Samantha, Hannah, Serenity, and Gavyn [great grandchildren Hope and Joseph] and the baby, Megan Stairwalt. He is also survived by his adopted daughter, Jo and Don and their children Piper and Marley. Also surviving are several cousins, nieces, nephews, and his beloved dog Bob.

Cremation will be accorded and memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 4 at Rux Funeral Home in Galva with Pastor Chet Travis officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the funeral home with Masonic Rites at 10:45 a.m. Memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church in Galva or to the Galva Masonic Lodge #243.

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