Stanley F. Hollister

Stanley F. Hollister, 77 of Rockford passed away December 2, 2009 in his home surrounded by his family. Born April 13, 1932 in Port Byron, IL, the son of Forrest Henry and Camilla (Hartz) Hollister. Stan married Viola Rasmussen on March 17, 1956 in Springfield, IL. He worked for Sears for over 30 years, before his retirement in 1990. Stan had also served with the United States Army. Stan loved gardening, crafts, genealogy and camping with his family. He was a Civil War buff, head of the building committee of Aldersgate Church in Moline, IL and enjoyed his horses on his hobby farm. He loved giving his grandchildren the "word of the day" . His gift to others was his great sense of humor. Stan committed his life to Christ at a Billy Graham crusade in Chicago. *We all know Dad loved us as a family. So much of his life revolved around us--- camping in our 16 foot Shasta trailer, touring museums and battlefield sites, enjoying our 2 acre place in the country, making sure we connected with other relatives. I wanted to share about what my Dad exemplified in his career with Sears. Dad started out with Sears before I was born doing lawnmower then appliance repair after technical training at Coyne Institute in Chicago. He was always intelligent and verbally skilled. If circumstances had been otherwise he might have ended up a lawyer. However, he soon started a family with Mom and moved into the maintenance area at Davenport,, IA and Moline, IL stores. In many ways, those jobs fit Dad's skills. He worked tirelessly behind the scenes to serve the store and its customers. He never sought glory or recognition for himself--he managed his employees with respect and patience--setting an example by the way he took responsibility to get things done. His commitment to service and his leadership did not go unnoticed. He was selected for transfer to the brand new Northland store in Columbus, Ohio to be part if the team that hired employees to start that store. Natalie and I have those fond memories of how Dad would make sure things were OK Sunday after church and would let us come in and enjoy the toy department. He told great stories of the man who passed out in the Winnie The Pooh vinyl suit, the woman who he spotted "dumpster diving" at the back of the store with only her legs protruding, and others with much humor. Dad was a man of integrity who cared for his employees. He shared with me how painful it was when he was forced to terminate an employee for stealing, and how hard that was for him. Dad's sense of humor and ability to talk to anyone were real gifts in his job with customers and fellow employees alike. Yet other promotions brought him first to Skokie, IL and the to management of building services of the West Side operations for Sears. His willingess to commute so that we could enjoy a country lifestyle was a real sacrifice. In the years at the West Side he would share many stories about his coworkers. Though there were many minority employees, Dad never volunteered what race someone was as a defining characteristic. He lived out the Godly view described in Scripture that "Man looks on the outward appearance, God looks on the heart." Dad mentored many college degreed folks that moved the Sears Tower chain giving the benefit of his experience. Dad had a great heart. He loved and served others. He did his best. He was honest and caring. His commitment to getting to us to church as a family in the early days of our lives has born much fruit. It is so appropriate that Dad's passing and funeral takes place close to Thanksgiving. His life blessed me, our family, and so many others. Dad was a gift to us from God. I am so glad he passed away peacefully and I could be there at the