Stewart A. Fairall

Stewart A. Fairall, 94, died peacefully Monday afternoon (April 25, 2022) at 12:50PM at Evenglow Lodge in Pontiac, Illinois, where he had been a resident for the last four years. He was born December 26, 1927, in Streator, Illinois to Earl Clark Fairall and Myrtle Irene (Gwaltney) Fairall and was the oldest of their six children. After attending Streator High School, Stewart enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 and was stationed in the South Pacific on the USS Orca. He is considered an Atomic War Veteran based on his participation in Operation Crossroads as an Atmospheric Nuclear Test Participant. He was at the Bikini Atoll Islands when the Navy tested atomic bombs, until evacuation due to radiation exposure. He was a proud veteran and was fortunate enough to participate in an Honor Flight for WWII veterans and most recently received a Quilt of Valor in a special ceremony held at Evenglow, honoring his service.  He was a member of the Streator VFW Post 1492 and the Ransom American Legion Post 674.

Stewart married the love of his life, Patricia Ann Downey of Ottawa on June 7, 1949. They raised their four children in Streator and had been married for 63 years when she passed in 2012. Stew and Pat were extremely proud of their children and grandchildren and loved being involved in their lives. Stewart had a 46-year career as a Mold Maker at Thatcher Glass until he retired when the plant closed in 1992. After retirement, he and Pat enjoyed traveling and long drives exploring areas and visiting their children. Often, Stew could be found on the golf course and enjoyed golf trips with his buddies. He was a die-hard White Sox fan as well as an avid University of Illinois sports fan.

Stewart is survived by his children Kathleen (Andrew) Mihelich of Springfield, Illinois, Patricia (Mark) Cosgrove of Carbondale, Illinois, Stewart (Barbara) Fairall of Streator, Illinois, Forrest (Michele) Fairall of Saint Charles, Illinois, grandchildren Nathan (Olga) Mihelich of Springfield, Illinois, Adam (Rosanna) Mihelich of the Philippines, Alexis (Dr. Tommy) O’Brien of Portland, Oregon, Gaia (Matthew) McVey of Carbondale, Illinois, Erin (Matthew) Pedersen of Laurens, Iowa, Earl Fairall of New York, Christopher (Amy) Fairall of Minnesota,  Josephine Fairall of California, Alexander (Lindsay) Fairall of Saint Charles, Illinois, and Emily (Justin) Harris of Schaumburg, Illinois, nine great grandchildren and three step great grandchildren as well as sisters Janet (Fairall) Helland of Morris, Illinois, and Doris (Fairall) Peddicord of Ottawa, Illinois.  He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Patricia, three brothers, Richard, William, and Norman, and many loved ones.

The staff at Evenglow Lodge lovingly tended to Stewart and he was equally fond of them.

A visitation will be held on Thursday from 4-7PM with funeral services at 6:30 PM at the Winterrowd-Hagi Funeral Home.  Interment will be held Friday at 11:00 AM in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois where he will be buried alongside his wife Patricia.

Memorial gifts may be directed to VFW Post 1492, Honorflight.org, or Evenglow Lodge in Pontiac,

Illinois.