Welcome to Chastain Funeral Home

7 Guest Comments

1. Guest: April Armstrong | Bloomington, IN

   Date: August 3, 2016

   I love Larry and Mary Alice and learned a lot by quietly watching them for many years. So sorry to read of this after returning from Maine this week. Many prayers and much love.
2. Guest: Maria Standiford Wishart | English, Indiana

   Date: July 29, 2016

   My family moved back to English when I was in 5th grade. Mr. Stilwell was our music teacher and he tried to keep it interesting by bringing in "pop tunes" like John Cougar's "Small Town." He also was the band director. I still have the $30 clarinet that I got from him back then. I played through grade school, had Mr. Stilwell as director in junior high and then continued to play after moving away. I now play in the Crawford County Community Band. That group was started when a few of Mr. Stilwell's former students got together to play a few numbers when he retired from teaching. They have been playing together ever since. Members have come and gone (2 original are still playing), but the group has carried on what Mr. Stilwell fostered--a love of blessing lives through music. As a teacher now, I appreciate even more the time he put in--especially traveling to all the schools in the county every week. My mother taught with Mr. Stilwell in the 60's at English High School. She made him a dracula cape for Halloween one year. We used to have it before the house burned. She considered him a dear friend. He is beloved by so many people. I hope by now he and my mother have had a chance to reunite and talk about old times. What a blessing long-time friendships are--here and there.
3. Guest: Shirley Hooker | Charlestown, IN

   Date: July 26, 2016

   I am so sorry for the loss of Mr. Larry Stillwell. I was fortunate to have had him as my band instructor. The man had such patience teaching young ones the art of music and musical instruments. He encouraged us with such a gentle hand. Junior High band was so much fun and we improved greatly under his daily instruction. I do not know how he was able to take 30+ hormonal/rowdy 12-14 year olds and produce a band that played a lovely concert twice a year. He deserves awards for that alone. Our loss is undoubtedly Heaven's gain. Will send prayers for his family.
4. Guest: Jason Vanzant | Peletier, NC

   Date: July 26, 2016

   I had the privilege of growing up near a wonderful neighbor, and an intelligent, gentle man named Larry Stilwell. He and his family welcomed myself and my sister into his home with open arms, and kept us, as well as the neighborhood, safe during times of severe storms. Larry's demeanor, peaceful, and he possessed tremendous inner strength. My heart goes to the Stilwell girls I grew up with and to Mary, as they give their father and husband back to the Lord. They are some of the best people that fill and once filled the town of Mitchell and made you proud you came from a town where such people exist.
5. Guest: Joe Vanzant | Mitchell, IN

   Date: July 25, 2016

   Well, the small city of Mitchell took a large step backwards with the passing of Larry this past Saturday. I saw Larry fight his battle with Parkinson on a regular basis at Mitchell Fitness Center. He would come in with his daughter Shelley and fight through his work out. Larry was a inspiration to our other customers. I always enjoyed his smile, sense of humor and intellect. Pam and I send our deepest sympathies to Mary, Jennifer, Christa, Shelley and the rest of the family.
6. Guest: Brenda Willoughby | Bedford, IN

   Date: July 25, 2016

   Praying for all of you!!
7. Guest: Free Methodist Church | Bedford, IN

   Date: July 25, 2016

   You are in our thoughts and prayers! Your Free Methodist Church Family