Nolan Stewart

Nolan "Butch" Detwain Stewart,83, a longtime Cubs fan and lifelong resident of Robinson, IL, passed away peacefully in his childhood home on Saturday, October 7, 2023.

Nolan, or "Butch" as he was affectionally known to those close to him, was born in Robinson on September 18, 1940. He spent his childhood roaming the streets with his neighborhood bicycle gang, eating his mom's amazing cooking (especially that fried chicken), and playing baseball as a pretty decent left-handed first baseman.

He graduated from Robinson High School in 1958. From there, he joined the United States Army. He traveled all around the world from South Korea to Fort Bliss, Texas, where he met his future wife. After the Army, he became a Deputy Sheriff and later a Robinson Policeman. He had many wild stories from that time. You wouldn't think such a small town would have so much going on, but it sure did. He was a member of The Loyal Order of Moose, the American Legion, and St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church. One of his proudest accomplishments was that he was a founding member of the Fraternal Order of Police, which still benefits police officers today. When he left the police department, he drove a jeep as a rural mail carrier for USPS. Butch worked many jobs over the years, serving his country and community, but nothing mattered more to him than his family and friends.

In his later years, you could find him many mornings at Hardee's having coffee with his pals and later on at McDonald's when Hardee's upped their prices. He was definitely one to save a penny where he could. He was famous for the breakfasts he would make his grandkids, oatmeal, toast, and fried potatoes were his specialty. His days were filled with visiting with those closest to him, playing cards at the horse track, attending sporting events, watching westerns, sports, and Jeopardy on TV, eating snicker bars, peanuts, and, on special occasions, a Texas sheet cake or a dilly bar.

He had a contagious laugh and was always full of jokes. At every birthday party, he would try to force the host to follow up the Happy Birthday song with his own rendition of Many Thanks, and when the guest of honor wouldn't comply, he would carry out the tune himself, let's just say he was not a singer.

He married his wife Linda in 1964 in New Mexico. They had two children together, three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. What is probably one of the most unique things about Butch is that he wasn't just a great dad and grandpa. He became his family's best friend. He was the one kids would call to talk over sports with, go to games with, and cuss about politics with. His grandchildren would vent, cry, and laugh with him over whatever drama was happening in their lives. He was truly a whole village in one person.

Our hearts are utterly broken we will miss the "Hey guys" when we walked in the door and the "Yeah yeah, hit the road, I love you toos" that ended every visit, while we can't stop the tears, we know what he would say "That's enough, knock that crap off and get on with your life" in fact in his very last conversation he said, "I love you too, but I'm getting pretty tired of saying that." So, for the man who taught us all what it was to be loved unconditionally, we say many thanks for a lifetime of love.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Stewart of Robinson, IL; by his children Cherie Stewart of Robinson, IL, and Charles & Bobbie Stewart of Flat Rock, IL; by his grandchildren, Sarah & Nathaniel Tyler, Mariah Stewart, Johnathan Stewart, all of Flat Rock IL, and his great-grandchildren James Nolan, Grayson, Alba-Grace, and Bennett Tyler of Flat Rock IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Nolan and Mildred Stewart, grandparents, many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

As per his request, there will be no services, but donations can be made in his name to the "St. Elizabeth Catholic Church" or "St. Jude's ". Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson is in charge of arrangements.