American Legion Post 1420 members, Cronomer Valley firefighters, extended family and other members of the Town of Newburgh gathered to remember the life of Donald K. Stillwaggon.

Stillwaggon passed away on March 2 at the age of 100 and was born and raised here in the Town of Newburgh. Last November, Stillwaggon celebrated his 100th birthday milestone with friends and family around him.

A memorial service and visitation was held at Leptondale Bible Church on Friday, March 11.

Stillwaggon was married to his wife Jeannette for 65 years, served in World War II, the Vietnam and Korean War, was the owner of Stillwaggon’s Printery until his retirement and was a member of American Legion Post 1420 and Cronomer Valley Fire Department.

Previous Cronomer Valley Fire Chief Robert Quakenbush remembered Stillwaggon as a very active member of the fire department who would be at most social gatherings and was someone that you could speak to and seek counsel.

“Don was a milestone when it comes to the Cronomer Valley Fire Department,” Quakenbush said. “He was very soft spoken, a very good Christian and he was a pleasure to be around.”

Pastor Michael O’Dowd, who became the pastor of Leptondale Bible Church in 2015, got to know Stillwaggon through the church’s bible study and seeing him each week.

According to O’Dowd, records of Stillwaggon’s involvement in the various ministries that operated in the current building traced back to 1931. O’Dowd also connected with Stillwaggon through military service as O’Dowd is a retired Air Force service member like Stillwaggon.

“The thoughts and reflections on Don [Stillwaggon] is that he was blessed with a full life,” O’Dowd said. “Don is in a lot of ways a larger than life figure.”

Robert Reid, a previous deacon at the church, spent time with Stillwaggon in his later years during his fellowship ministry work. “I ran a Monday night men’s ministry group which Don [Stillwaggon] was a part of,” Reid said.

Reid remembered Stillwaggon as a very approachable person who had many stories to tell and was always involved in his community. “He’s [Stillwaggon] going to be missed,” Reid said.

Retired U.S. Navyman Conrad Flickenschild, who has known Stillwaggon for over 50 years, remembered Stillwaggon and his wife Jeannette were very active in the American Legion. The two of them would attend most functions held.

“Don was a dear, dear friend. He was the most devout Christian I think I ever met,” Flickenschild said. “Don was always very sincere. He would stop and talk to anybody. He was just the most friendly person you’d ever want to meet. Just an awesome individual.”

According to the program, plans for Stillwaggon’s burial service will be announced later in the spring. Stillwaggon will be buried with Military Honors at the Orange County Veterans Memorial Cemetery.