Stella Louise Stanek, age 85, of Inverness, Florida passed away March 26, 2023. A native of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Stella was born February 6, 1938 to the late Edith M. Mott and Delbert M Cartwright before moving to Michigan in 1957. In 1959 she married the late James T. Stanek, and raised three daughters.
From writing poetry in high school, to stints at the Welch’s factory and Paw Paw’s own Fruitbelt Canning, Stella made her way through life, bringing joy to those who knew her. She made dresses for her daughters, goulash for her grandkids and a Texas Sheet Cake that would knock your socks off. Her vices were white wine spritzers and scratch off tickets; her loves, her three beautiful daughters and anything that sparkled.
Stella was beloved by many and is survived by daughters Tina (Robert) Brann of Williston, Fla., Lora (Marco) Wilson of Inverness, Fla., and Toni (Gregory) Fountain of Kalamazoo, as well as her six grandchildren: Tyler (Amy) Gennaro, Tymothy Gennaro, Katie (Jacob) McBee, Max Wilson, Andrea Fountain and Matthew Fountain, together with eight great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, step-father Dealus “Dink” Wilkerson, and two brothers Delbert Cartwright Jr. and Willie Mac Wilkerson.
A celebration of life will be held July 15th, 2023 from 5PM to 8PM at the VFW Post 6248 in Decatur (560 N. Phelps Street). Family and friends are invited to attend for food, fellowship and a wine spritzer toast to a life well lived, and are encouraged to dress in Stella’s honor in something that sparkles or makes them shine.
Sorry for your loss prayers for the family 🙏🎉
I love Stella. She was like a extra grandmother to me. So sweet and kind. The love she showed her grandchildren and their cousins(me), will never be forgotten. ❤