The Life of WILFRED H STONE
Wilfred Stone, 96, of Des Moines passed away December 22, 2006 at Manor Care in West Des Moines. Both visitation and funeral services will be held on Friday, December 29 at Hamilton’s Near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave. Public visitation will begin at Noon, with funeral services beginning at 2 p.m. A memorial reception will be held at Hamilton’s following burial at the Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. Wilfred was born in Des Moines on July 26, 1910 to Thomas and Lucille (Sullivan) Stone. He attended North High School, graduating in 1929. In the early 1930’s he began work at Meredith Corporation. On Christmas Eve in 1937, he married Georgia Gertrude Frey, and they raised two children. Wilfred joined the Navy during WWII, became Chief Petty Officer on the U.S.S. Ranger and was selected by the Navy to receive advanced electronics training at MIT. Wilfred returned to Des Moines after the war ended and continued working at Meredith Corporation, where he was employed for more than 40 years as an engineer in the printing area. During his employment at Meredith he received patents for two pieces of printing equipment he invented, and helped develop several other machines for the company as well. Wilfred held a private pilots license and flew with the Meredith Corporation Flying Club, was a member of the Masons Daylight Lodge and was also active as an amateur radio operator. As a member of the Amateur Radio Club, Wilfred helped organize Operation Santa Claus in Des Moines. Wilfred is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Lucille Stone, brother, Raymond Stone, wife, Georgia Stone, and daughter, Constance (Connie) Mathieu. Survivors include his son, John Stone, eight grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and many friends.