Obituary for Edward L Stiles
EDWARD L. STILES SR SARASOTA, FLA. - Edward L. Stiles Sr., 96, died early Wednesday morning, Dec. 2, 2015, in Sarasota.
“Ed” was born Oct. 22, 1919, in Georgia, a son of Jacob and Augusta Stiles. He lived most of his life in Struthers, until moving with his son, Edward and daughter-in-law, Sandra Stiles to Poland in 2004, and then to Sarasota in 2012. He was a 1937 graduate of Struthers High School, and shortly after, joined the U.S. Army Air Corps, then he became a member of the historic AVG Flying Tigers under Gen. Clara Chennault, from 1941 to 1942. After returning from China, he re-enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he became an instructor pilot on the B-25s and later continued to serve with the Air Force Reserves at the Youngstown Air Base. During his time in the Reserves he was a pilot on the B-25s and C119 Cargos. Ed retired as a major in 1969 and in 1995, received the Bronze Star for his service with AVG. Ed worked at the Youngstown Sheet and Tube and then Weirton Steel as an electrical maintenance foreman. Ed’s passion was airplanes and flying. He was a former crew chief and vice-president of the Flying Tigers Association and always attended their annual reunions. He was also a member of the Penn Ohio Flying Club.
He was a founding member of the Boardman Baptist Church and then after moving to Sarasota was a member of the Northminster Presbyterian Church. Ed was a member of The Gideon’s organization. His wife of 66 years, the former Edith Ellis, whom he married Nov. 3, 1942, died Feb. 20, 2009. He leaves three daughters, Janet Andrews of Miami, June (Hugh) Gunn of Canfield and Linda (Ralph) Weimer of Howland; one son, Edward L. (Sandra) Stiles Jr., with whom he made his home in Florida; one sister, Virginia Anderson of Murphy, N.C.; 13 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Besides his parents and wife, Ed was preceded in death by his sister, Inez McClain; and his brother, John Stiles. Friends may call on Saturday from 9 to 10:15 a.m. at the Davis-Becker Funeral Home in Boardman. A funeral services will follow at 10:30 a.m., with Pastor Dennis Massie officiating. Interment will take place at Green Haven Memorial Park in Canfield. The family requests that any gifts take the form of monetary donations to the Autumn Memory Care, 3251 Proctor Road, Sarasota, FL 34231; or Tidwell Hospice of Sarasota, 1751 Mound St., Suite 101, Sarasota, FL 34236.