Alan Stehlik

Alan J. Stehlik was an honest, devoted and loving man, who found immense happiness as a husband and father. He was a hard worker and a man of many interests, but it was the moments he shared with those he loved that meant the world to him. Alan embraced the love of his family and spent a lifetime making cherished memories, which will be forever etched on the hearts of all those he leaves behind.

In the year 1967, America was in the midst of a radical cultural change motivated by war, political unrest and the Civil Rights Movement. These changes affected education, values, lifestyles, laws and entertainment. But for James and Helen (Kral) Stehlik of St. Johns, Michigan, it was family itself that changed in this year with the birth of their son, Alan, on November 4, 1967. Alan was the sixth of eight children in his family, which numbered four boys and four girls. With several older siblings, Alan had to learn quick how to keep up with them and by 8 months he was walking and 1 year he was talking. He and his siblings were all very close and they created many unforgettable childhood memories together.

Alan enjoyed growing up on their family farm in Ashley, and his parents made sure the kids learned responsibility by pitching in with the daily chores. Alan was a clever young man and when it came to the chores, sometimes he would invite some friends over and trick them into helping get the chores done faster. When it was time for play, Alan loved being outdoors, hunting, fishing at Crystal Lake in Montcalm County, and skiing in the winter time. Very athletic, he played sports in high school, including baseball, football and basketball. Although Alan was a good student, sports and socializing were his favorite “subjects.” Mischief was also something that wasn’t foreign to Alan, like the time he and his friend cut the top off of his friend’s car so they could have a cool convertible to drive around in. Alan was one of 46 students in the graduating class of 1986 from Ashley High School. He then went on to attend Lansing Community College, where he earned his Associates Degree in CAD Drafting.

While in college, Alan worked in Security at LCC, and it was here that he met a beautiful young co-worker named Christine Pearson. They didn’t date while they worked together, but a year after Alan left LCC, he crossed paths with Christine at Mac’s Bar in East Lansing. After some liquid courage, he gave Christine his phone number, but he didn’t really make an impression on her so she threw it away. Determined, Alan went back later and asked for her phone number and with that, their love story had begun. The two dated for about a year before Alan proposed at a party – to which Christine answered “yes.” They continued to date for another year and on April 24, 1993, Alan and Christine were married in Lansing. It wasn’t long before the happy couple became the proud parents of three wonderful children, daughter Erin, and twin sons, Nathan and Bobby.

To provide for his family, Alan worked for many years in CAD at the engineering firm, Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr and Huber. While he was dedicated to his work, having a strong family was most important to Alan. He was so very proud of his children, and he loved teaching and coaching them in their various sports of basketball, baseball and soccer. They also had a cottage at Sunrise Lake in LeRoy, where the family spent many warm summers enjoying the outdoors, swimming, skiing and fishing. It also became a tradition that the family would go mushroom hunting in Gaylord every May, and Alan enjoyed teaching his kids how to spot the perfect Morel mushroom. They were members of St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns too.

In 2004, life drastically changed for Alan and his family when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. As the disease progressed, Alan continued to work, but even then, he didn’t get discouraged and kept on his valiant fight. He became active with the Relay for Life and even had a team of his own. Understandably, Alan wanted to spend every moment with his family, and make sure they all knew how much he loved them. Sadly, after 9 years of battling cancer, the doctor told Alan they felt his body could no longer tolerate the treatments and it was time to stop treatment. Alan passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, April 13, 2013, surrounded by this beloved wife, children and close family.

Although Alan will be deeply missed, his legacy of love and dedication leaves his loved ones with wonderful memories and a strong foundation to look to for comfort.

Alan is survived by his wife of 20 years, Christine Stehlik; his daughter, Erin Stehlik; and sons, Nathan & Bobby Stehlik. He is also survived by his parents, Jim & Helen Stehlik; brothers and sisters, Diane (Mark) Losee, Rosemary (Kary) Cooper, Ken Stehlik, Sharon (Tom) Densmore, Randy (Karen) Stehlik, Jim (Jenni) Stehlik, Janette (Matt) Monroe; as well as many nieces, nephews, friends & relatives.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 17, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns with Fr. Michael Williams presiding. Burial will take place at Ford Cemetery in Elsie. The family will receive friends & family on Monday, April 15, from 6-8 p.m. and Tuesday, April 16, from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at the Osgood Funeral Home in St. Johns. A rosary/vigil service will be held on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. To learn more about Alan and to view his Life Story film, please visit his personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com/memories/88935. The family is being served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.