Obituary for Ronald E. “Bud” Stull Ronald “Bud” E. Stull, 82, passed away at 6:13 am on Monday, April 16th, 2018, at Alton Memorial Hospital in Alton, Illinois with family by his side. He is now tearing up the gold streets of heaven in his VW Bug. He was born on December 19, 1935 in Wood River, Illinois, the son of Ivan E. and Thelma N. (Green) Stull.
He married Darlene Smith on May 27th, 1955 in Alton, IL, she survives. Bud and Darlene met in 1954 at what is now King Louie’s Drive-In, where Darlene was a carhop. Bud was the owner and operator of Stull’s Body Shop with Darlene from 1960-2001, where he employed many family members and now lifelong friends.
He offered on-the-job training and trained many body shop technicians who went on to start their own body shops. He was the youngest business owner in the IGO (Independent Garage Owners) Association. He was the first in the area to build dune buggies.
Bud was a man of many talents. He was a genius with cars and restored cars, Ford F-100s and Sandpiper Dune Buggies. One of his favorite projects was converting a Ford van into a motorhome and taking it up the East Coast with his family when his children were young.
He won many 1st-place trophies, the highlight being at a Volkswagen Show, presented by Bruce Meyers, owner of Meyers Manx Dune Buggies. Two of Bud’s trucks were featured in Truckin’ Magazine. Bud was also a talented oil painter and won a 1st place blue ribbon at an art show in Carlinville.
His art will live on forever in the homes of family and friends. He was also a skilled archer and enjoyed bowhunting. Bud will be remembered for his love of animals and willingness to take in any dog at any time.
If Bud was sitting, there was a dog on his lap. In recent years, Bud enjoyed arguing politics and tinkering in his garage. He will be deeply missed by his wife Darlene, his daughters, Vickie (Bill) Rodgers, Tracy (David) Steward, Crystal (Mike) East; and sons Kent Stull (Mona) and Sawyer Stull; sister Janith Griffin; Grandchildren, Kraig (Michelle) Rodgers, Kaci (Mark) Beatty, Travis (Kristin) Steward, Katie (Eric) Wigton, Brandon (Amanda) Stull, Matthew (Miranda) Stull, Rose Bryant, and Jasper Stull; Great Grandchildren, Avery, Caroline, Alohalee, Cole, William, Sam, Brooklyn, and Emberlyn.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Sonny Stull, infant daughter Melissa Lynn, granddaughter Bethany Leigh Stull and infant great grandchild Morgan. Visitation will be from 4 pm until 7 pm, Wednesday, April 18, 2018, where funeral services will be at 11 am Thursday, April 19, 2018 at Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home. Pastor Willard Meyer will officiate.
In true Bud Stull fashion, please wear jeans and a car show t-shirt (or casual attire). Memorials may be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children in St. Louis. Online condolences and guest book may be found at www.
eliaskallalandschaaf.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ronald E. “Bud” Stull please visit our Sympathy Store. Upcoming Events Visitation 2018 APR 18.
04:00 PM – 07:00 PM Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home – Bethalto 727 E. Bethalto Blvd. Bethalto, IL, US, 62010 eliaskallalschaaf@sbcglobal.net www. eliaskallalandschaaf.com/ Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before Ronald E.’s Visitation begins.
2018 APR 19. 11:00 AM Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home – Bethalto 727 E. Bethalto Blvd. Bethalto, IL, US, 62010 eliaskallalschaaf@sbcglobal.net www.
eliaskallalandschaaf.com/ Order Flowers for the Service Guaranteed delivery before Ronald E.’s Service begins. Cemetery Details Rose Lawn Memory Gardens 10 Erwin Plegge Blvd. Bethalto, IL, 62010 rlmgcem@yahoo.com www.
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