David Stiltner II

Carl David Stiltner II, 20, of Portsmouth, also affectionately known as “Cowboy”, rode off into the sunset on Saturday, March 12, 2016, at the Southern Ohio Medical Center.  Born on February 14, 1996 to the luckiest parents on this earth, Carl David Stiltner I and Mysti Gearheart Stiltner of Portsmouth, he was well known and loved by so many, near and far.

Also surviving are his grandmothers, Mary Nickells of Sciotoville and Joann Stiltner of Wheelersburg; his fiancé, Amber Ray of Ashland, KY; uncles Clyde (Kathy) Stiltner of Sciotoville, Buster (Betty) Stiltner of Garrison, KY, Dan (Vicki) Stiltner of Wheelersburg and William Holdren of Sciotoville; aunts Ami (Todd) Weller of Spring, TX, Amanda Guilkey of Sciotoville, Jody (Robert) Payne of Portsmouth, Tina (Ron) Greene of Portsmouth and Julia (Marty) McCoy of Portsmouth; his favorite great-great aunts and uncles, Burness Adams, Charlotte Dunham, Eugen (Marilyn) Martin, Herb (Uschi) Cole and Bob (Jan) Cole and special grandparents, Ron & Nancy Call of Minford, Ben  and Karen Thompson of Otway, Kim and Marty Moore of Wheelersburg, Pat Musick of Portsmouth and Joe Parker of Minford.

Also surviving are David’s special family, Walt Herrmann, Beverly and Marvin Pertuset, Bill and Linda Lewis, Jeff and Barb Brant, Terry, Kathy and Bill Mullins, Chris and Wendy Payton, Kathy Baker Lewis & family, Bo Musick and family, Susan Reed and family, Darren and Shelly Litz, David and Diane Fairchild, Lloyd and Debbie Moore, Kevin and Billie Pitt, Steve and Sheila Johnson, Bill and Phyllis Rice and his HUGE extended Walmart family.

“Cowboy” was also preceded in death by his grandparents, Keith Nickells (Pappaw Grumps), Elbert Stiltner (Pap) and Buck Gearheart (Pappaw Tractor) and great-grandparents, Helen Cole Covery (Granny), Doris Martin Geartheart (Mommaw) and Franklin Nickells (Pappaw Nick).

David was a blessing the day he was born and made a lasting impression on all who met him.  He enjoyed spending time with his family and many friends.

He attended Notre Dame Elementary and Clay Local Schools until his illness, and was  employed at the Brant Funeral Service in Sciotoville.  He had a great passion of rescuing animals and loved all creatures big and small.  Cowboy loved to help others in any way he could and he never met a stranger.  He had many hobbies, but mostly enjoyed camping with his trusty old horse and best trail partner, Fancy, and singing with the Poverty String Band.  David enjoyed magic, comedy and most of all, pranks.  He never missed an opportunity for any kind of fun and adventure.  He lived life to the fullest every day and he never complained about anything.  He always said how blessed he felt to have so many people who loved and cared about him and that he felt he was the richest boy on the earth for this.  He was the apple of his mother and father’s eye and so many others.  He loved to quote that “Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day”.  And he lived by that.  He had such a special gift for making the best of any situation that life threw at him.  David was kind, loving, compassionate and caring.  A true gentleman.  He was an outstanding young man, a best friend and “Bestest Pardner”.  He will be very sadly and dearly missed by his parents, many family and many, many friends, an old faithful dog, Spike, his tow favorite cats, Biscuit and Tigger, Jr., and his trusty old horse, Fancy.

A Celebration of David’s Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 17th,  at the BRANT FUNERAL HOME IN SCIOTOVILLE with Pastor Chad Garinger officiating.  Interment will be in Mt. Zion Cemetery in South Shore, KY.

The family will receive guests at Brant’s from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

Carl and Mysti would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Pastor Chad Garinger, not just for his presence and comfort in the rough time, but for his friendship with their son.  Also Dr. Rebecca Schoettle, Dr. Cindy Hamm and the entire ICU staff of doctors and nurses at SOMC.  Their involvement in David’s care was above and beyond any expectations.  Carl and Mysti were deeply moved by the amount of care, compassion and love that was expressed.  THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS.  There were truly angels among us here on earth.  God bless you all.

You fought the good fight.  You fought long and hard.  You defied every odd.  Rest easy our Bestest Pardner.  God has many beautiful miles of trails to ride with you in heaven.  He will be your guide until we meet again.

Good ride COWBOY.  Good ride.