Volume 22, Issue 1

May 2014

Stewart Picnic

• Yes, the picnic will be on June 29 (not on the 8th).

• Yes, we should gather at 11AM.

• Yes, we will eat at NOON, not at 1PM.

Yes, we hope you all will be there.

Mark your calendars!

SUNDAY, June 29, 2014

Sue and Ken Wilke have once again offered to have our family gathering at the Wilke Estate. Our many thanks to you!

Come at 11:00AM - Lunch is at 12PM.

Bring food! Bring drinks! Bring lawn chairs! Bring utensils! Bring your family!

Picnic Day Reunion

Thank you, Mary Hurst!After many years (decades actually) as The Committee, Mary Hurst has announced her last Thanksgiving menu assignments and her last production of the Stewart Family Bulletin as of November 2013. Macular degeneration now interferes with her looking at a computer screen for long periods of time. Composing a newsletter is demanding enough but it's downright frustrating to do a visually intensive task withouta full range of vision. She just celebrated her 89th birthday on May 21st and is anxiously waiting to see what the younger generations can do to carry on the work of The Committee.

A little bit of history. . . The family gatherings had continued momentum after Grandma & Grandpa Stewart passed away. Somewhere back in the 1980's (maybe sooner), Mary had an inspiration one day to send out a letter to everyone in the family advising them of what they could contribute to Thanksgiving dinner. It was rather brazen to dictate who should bring what, but she solved that problem by signing all communications asThe Committee, followed by a disclaimer that anyone who complained about their assignment would be The Committee from that moment forward. No one ever complained. We have never failed to have a glorious Thanksgiving dinner.

In the early 1990's, Mary was an early adopter of computer technology (beginning with a VIC-20). At first, she sent out letters merged with menu assignments and names. As she mastered the publishing program, PageMaker, Mary began creating newsletters that included more than menu assignments. The Stewart Family Bulletin was born. The name was inspired by The Bonne Terre Bulletin...the newspaper that provided so much work experience for Mary and her brothers and sisters. The first newsletter was distributed for the summer reunion in 1992. It was a one-pager printed on both sides. For the November 1992 issue, a 4-page edition was produced on 11x17 paper folded in half...that was a big deal at the time and set the standard forall subsequent issues.

Thank you Mary Hurst! You are a rock. We are grateful for the family communication foundation you have given us.

Lucille * Paul * Jess * Olive * Martha * John * Clifford * Clark * Mary * Joe * David

Stewart Family Bulletin

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Joe said that he was "off his game" that day, his mind occupied with the thought of his following in the footprints of such icons as Bobby Jones, Arnold Palmer, and Jack Nicklaus, among many others. He shot 108. Image how his golfer father would have loved to have joined him on these legendary 18 holes.

The Stewart clan has lost another precious family member. Joe died on May9, 2014, his 86th birthday, at the Life Care Health Center in Casper, Wyoming. A private graveside service was held on May 16. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Casper Country Club on June 7.

Joe is survived by brother David R. Stewart of Casper, sister Mary Hurst of St. Louis, stepchildren Linda (Teply) Howard of Rancho Santa Fe, California, Janice (Teply) Wright, of Castle Pines, Colorado, James Owens of Casper and Corrales, New Mexico, numerous step-grandchildren, and a host of Stewart nieces andnephews.

Joe William Stewart was born May 9, 1928, in Jackson, Missouri, to William and Mabel Stewart. He attended public schools in Bonne Terre, graduating in 1946. When the Methodist Church transferred his father, Joe was allowed to complete his senior year at Bonne Terre, living in a small house on Park Street where sister Mary "kept house" for him and brother Paul. Joe's prowess on the basketballcourt made this arrangement a real plus for the BTHS Bulldogs, but Joe always maintainedhis presence in BT had more to do with the

Joe William Stewart: May 9, 1928 – May 9, 2014

family's newspaper business. Publishing day often left him sleepless and late for school the next morning.

Following graduation, Joe joined the Navy, serving inCalifornia and Hawaii before being honorably discharged and returning home to attend Flat River Jr. (now Mineral Area) College. He married MaryLou (Mickey) Eaton, and moved next to the Bonne Terre Register, which Joe would edit and publish during most of the 1950's. Following the sale of the newspaper, Joe attended Missouri University in Columbia, earning a journalism degree. Furtherstudies came later: a Master's degree from the University of Wyoming and post-grad work at the University of Colorado in Boulder.

Visiting brother Dave in Casper in the late 1950's marked a turning point in Joe's life. Like Dave, Wyoming's open ranges and teeming possibilities struck a chord with Joe. He worked for a short time at Mountain States Lithographing. He and Mickey divorced. His relocation and commitment to living "out west" became permanent when in 1961 he joined the faculty at Casper College, retiring in 1985 as Dean of Continuing Education. He married Marie Thayer, a colleague

at Casper College, in 1962. She died of cancer in 1980. In 1982, Joe married Elaine Day Teply, and enjoyed a happy 31-year union that brought him stepchildren and later,grandchildren She died in November 2013.

Like many of the Stewart clan, Joe loved politics. From 1967 to 1984, he served seven terms as an at-large representative in the Legislature, including two terms as Democratic minority leader. In 1979, he was legislative liaison for Governor Ed Herschler. He was also elected as a delegate to two Democratic National Conventions: 1968 in Chicago and 1972 in Miami Beach.

Joe enjoyed gardening, golf, and traveling until 2003 when he was forced to curtail many activities because of macular degeneration, which left him with severely limited vision. A big event in his life was a golf tour of Scotland where he played some of golf's most famous links, including the"Old Course" at St. Andrews, a venue viewed as hallowed ground by golf lovers around the world

By David Stewart & Sue Wilke

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We 28 grandchildren and our offspringare all tethered, in various degrees measured by birth, time, distance, andcircumstance, to the remarkable William and Mabel Stewart clan. Eachchild of this union is a well defined individual, yet they all share characteristics that mark a proud legacy for their descendants. A profileof these Stewarts show them all to be intelligent, talented, ethical, industrious, restrained, perhaps a tad stubborn, and --most certainly--unconditionally, quietly, loving. With so many good souls to go around, some of us have been able to share special times with one or another of our many aunts and uncles. The DeClue branch of the family tree was fortunate to have a unique relationshipwith Uncle Joe.

As Mother would tell us, Joe was one of the younger brothers she was givenresponsibility for as they were growingup, which cemented their close, life-long relationship. He lived with us for a time in the early 1950s, sharing a bed with our Davey Joe. Not an early riser, a sharp clunk on Joe's head from a short doorway down the steps often would herald his morning gallop out the door as he raced to the newspaper. With no children of his own, he became a bit of a Fairy Godfather to us. He married Mickey and moved into the two-storey house on Wall Street that shared a very narrow sidewalk separating it from the printingoffice. When Joe knew we were coming for a visit, he would hide pennies around the living room for David and me to find. One Christmas,he built a large wooden drawing standwith a formica top for David. Their presents to the rest of the family were thoughtfully chosen and beautifully wrapped: a real treat in the midst of our family's somewhat frenzied, haphazard celebrations. On the Sundays when they would come to church, sure of a welcome, I'd love to

To Joe, with love

“I love to walk through that part of Cornerstone, my mind's eye looking past its new incarnation to the dark, noisy spot it once was, slinging me back to a time when Uncle Joe was a daily presence in our lives. There he remains, in our hearts”. -- Sue Wilke

wiggle in between them, sitting on the back row of the east side of the sanctuary. Joe and I would draw pictures on the backs of offering envelopes. Like many in the family, Joe had an artistic bent: one of the DeClue favorites of his was a profile he would draw of a seedy looking guy with a faucet sticking out of his neck.

We did so much together: afternoons in selected swimming holes at local rivers, Sunday hikes down railroad tracks, drives out to see what progress there was on the "new" Highway 67, and many other family activities filled the 1950 days. Riding in Joe's blue Chevy station wagon, David and I would sit in the back section, emerging covered in newspaper ink from the stacks of papersstashed there. When Joe left Bonne Terre and the newspaper behind to finish his education at Missouri University, his absence left a big hole in our family.

Ken and I developed our own connection with Joe and Dave when ourpath--like theirs-- led us to Wyoming. They, with Joe's wife Marie, adopted Ken right into the fold, and did all they could to help us on our rather headlong rush into married life, when we pitched atent and set to work building a log cabin above the town of Jackson Hole. Casperwas always a necessary stopping spot for us, both coming and going betwixt there and Missouri. Distance as well as unconditional love and support made Casper our new "coming home" destination.

When Marie died, Mother, Olive, and I went to Wyoming to be with Joe. I remember him telling Mother that he would be there for her when the time came, and when Daddy died some years later, there he was. When Elaine died last year, I felt a pull to continue that tradition for Mother and return the favor. And now, we return once again.

In 2005-8 that portion of the large School/Wall Street building that housed the Bonne Terre Register was renovated to become the Methodist Church Cornerstone building. The minister's office, appropriately enough, is now located in what was once a very gritty, inky part of the paper with its huge printing press. Furnishings for the pastor's study were financed by donations from all of us descendants of William and Mabel Stewart. A plaque on the door and a dedication at our 2009 Thanksgiving celebration marked our gift.

By Sue Wilke

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Sara Stewart, youngest daughter of William and Patricia Stewart, married Chris Taylor March 1, 2014, in Boulder, Colorado. Sara and Chris are avid rock climbers. They literally tied the knot, using rock climbing ropes, as part of theceremony. The ceremony was held outdoors at the St. Julien Hotel in the midst of a light snowfall. They live in Longmont, Colorado.

Wedding Bells

Mary Stewart Hurst Family

Benton Hurst celebrated is 94th birthday on May 3rd...or May 2nd, depending upon which source you believe. He has always celebrated his birthday on May 3rd, but when he requested a birth certificate in 1972 he found that the certificate stated May 2nd was his birth date. In 1920 in rural New Madrid MO, birth certificates apparently were notrequired, especially if you were born on a cotton farm. His birth certificate wasn't created until 1922 so it's not surprising that a discrepancy would arise.

Jim Hurst Retired....Again. Jim Hurst, son of Mary & Benton, retired again from NGA (National Geospatial Agency), this time as a contractor. He doesn't really remember the retirement date; just that it was "5 or 6 weeks ago". He doesn't really care about that because he is having a great time hanging out with his grandkids and playing in a golf league with his son-in-law, Brian Monheiser. Instead of going to bed at 7pm and waking up at 3am so he could be at work by 4am, he's adjusting to normal people's hours. He even has a smile on his face all the time now!

Martha Stewart DeClue Family

Rebecca Vossmeyer (Celeste Vossmeyer & John Sandberg) will be attending St. Louis University Law School as a member of the 2014 class this fall.

Abby Sandberg (Celeste Vossmeyer & John Sandberg) will be a graduate student at the University of Virginia School of Urban Planning in the fall.

Adam & Lilly Sandberg (Celeste Vossmeyer & John Sandberg) had a beautiful baby boy named Henry Wilson Sandberg on January 29, 2014. He is the first grandchild for John and Celeste.

Frank Schejbal (Kate DeClue Schejbal) had a very serious back operation, and now is recovering.

Kate Schejbal (Martha & Ted DeClue) is playing in the Senior Olympics Golf Tournament May 23.

Meagan Mooney (Diane &Tom Kahl) is expecting her second son June 27 a day before son number one (Nolan) is 2 yrs. old. She didn't quite beat her Grandma Kate's record

Marty Wilke Bates (Sue & Ken Wilke) has a new position with Edward Jones.

Notes ‘N News

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Jess Stewart Family

Bill and Pat Stewart (Jess & Marie Stewart) traveled in late March to the south rim of the Grand Canyon where they spent a week camping, hiking, oohing and aahing. Bill hiked part-way down the Bright Angel trail to Indian Garden, a 9 mile round trip. He now has a fantasy of some day hiking all the way to the river.

Travels in May included a road trip to visit relatives in Florida and North Carolina.

Cliff Stewart Family

Aaron Stewart (son of Mike & Nancy Stewart) has accepted a new job with “Rockstar” beginning June 16. He and his wife Nicole, will be moving to Grants Pass, OR very soon. It’s best not to ask his mom how she feels about the move.

In March, Mike Stewart (son of Cliff & Evelyn Stewart) was awarded a four day stay at “Four Seasons” Resort in Arizona for achieving “President’s Club” for goals met in 2013. He was allowed to take one guest and he took Nancy. They enjoyed a balloon ride and a Tomcar excursion through the desert. Mike enjoyed lots of golf while Nancy went to thespa and took pictures of scenery unlike Kansas. “President’s Club” 2014 is in San Diego so sure hope he makes that one!

The elderly friend that Nancy cared for and had responsibility for passed away in early January. She was 93 and had lived a long interesting life. It was Nancy & Mike’s privilege to have known her and call her their friend. In May, they received word from the state that her case was closed so the worry of having to “pay back” any money has been lifted!

Nancy’s brother, Charles, who fell from his deer stand last November and sustained very serious injuries, has finally gone home back to Georgia. Since the accident took place in Missouri, he had been in the St. Louis area from November through March before finally being released to return home. He made a miraculous recovery and Nancy’s family is thankful for God’s mercy.

Mary Stewart MacKenzie (daughter of Cliff & Evelyn Stewart) is looking forward to retirement on September 1st. She has worked at St. Anthony’s Medical Center for 31 years.

John Hardin (son of Mary MacKenzie) has a new job as a Web Developer with Enterprise Holdings.

News ‘N Notes, continued

Clark and Jean Stewart Family

Andy Stewart (Clark & Jean) has a new position with a national corporate real estatefirm in LA, Cassidy Turley.

Stewart Houpt (Salle) will be leaving in July for a one-year tour of duty in Saudi Arabia. A Major in the Army, Stewart will be the Provost on the base.

Dylan Lower (Mike & Belinda Lower) brought his darling daughter, Eleanor, to Kansas in May to celebrate Charlotte’s graduation. We all enjoyed their visit but probably no one more than her cousin, Delaney (Jessica and Kathy Lower). .Belinda Lower (Clark & Jean Stewart) and Charlotte Martinie (Jessica Lower) spent four days in the Big Apple in May. The trip was a graduation trip for Charlotte. In addition to the usual sightseeing, they took in three Broadway shows….most notable was seeing Neil Patrick Harris in “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”. They also tooktime to hit some interesting book and comic book stores, Central Park, FIT museum, MOMA, and attended an international food festival in Hell’s Kitchen. It was a great time and both travelers came home with sore feet and tired bodies.

Charlotte Martinie

New York City

May 2014

You have most likely noticed a change in the Bulletin format (after all, who could replicate Mary’s work?). Mary’s retirement and passing of the newsletter torch certainly left a void. The younger generations would like to continue the communication channels that Mary started but it is an intimidating task. Trying to fill her shoes is daunting, to say the least. It will take more than one person to continue the legacy of communicating with family members scattered around the globe and of keeping the summer reunion and Thanksgiving dinner communiqués going.

A group of cousins have begun to gather to figure out how best to fill Mary’s shoes and continue the rich tradition we are so lucky to have had. With Sue Hurst at the helm, the plan is to eventually create a Stewart-Porter website. Please join the team!!!

The vision for this site is to provide a private section for family members access to eachother’s contact information, photos, newsletters (both old and new), family history, family recipes, and anything else the family wants to share. Creating a public section of the website will allow people outside the family access to specific family history Mary Mackenzie has gathered, while protecting our private information from public view.

Those of us who must carry on the mission of keeping the family in touch with other would like to ask Mary...how on earth did you do this? You made it look so easy but it's not! Thank goodness you paved the way or we would never find our way.

Charlotte Martinie (Mike & Belinda Lower’s granddaughter) graduated from Basehor-Linwood high school in December….18 months early. Charlotte was home schooled throughout middle school and high school, allowing her to work at her own pace. She has been attending Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, KS. Charlotte is the daughter of Jessica Lower and proud home school teacher and step mom, Kathy Lower.

Mason Moody (Salle Stewart’s grandson, son of Jason & Annie Houpt) graduated from Toole High School, Utah. Following in his Uncle, Major Stewart Houpt’s footsteps, he will be entering the Army with plans to train to be part of the Military Police.

Congratulations to our Graduates!

Times they are a changin’

Stewart-Porter Website

Our website will be rather bare bones for a while...we need to overcome zero miles an hour. We have great plans for it but first weneed to get the newsletter published. We'll keep you posted on our progress. Keep track of those family recipes...Mary MacKenzie wants to include those on our website. She is particularly keen to find Grandma's piccalilli recipe.

We’ll soon be on theWeb!

See us at:www.stewartporter.com

EMAIL ADDRESSES

If you did not receive the email blast requesting news to put in the newsletter and your email address with Sue Hurst is current, you might want tocreate a STEWART folder in your email box. This may prevent future emailsfrom going to SPAM.