Velda Mary Stow

September 12, 1943 - March 27, 2019

Velda M. (Beer) Stow, age 75 of Clare, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, March 27, 2019. On September 12, 1943, Velda was born the daughter of Michael and Julia (Pesarcyk) Beer in Petoskey, MI. She was united in marriage to John Stow on July 1, 1961 in Petoskey, and together they shared fifty-seven years of marriage. In 1985, Velda and John moved to Clare from Plymouth, MI. and shortly after, Velda started her own company “Business Aids” in downtown Clare. Years later, Velda ended her working career as the Administrative Secretary to the Central Michigan University Dean of Education. In her free time, Velda loved cooking and reading cooking magazines, watching her favorite television shows, and especially going out to eat with John. She will be deeply missed by all. Velda is survived by her husband John of Clare, and her five children David Stow of Clare, Jerry Stow of Wolverine, Darrin (Michelle) Stow of Harrison, Jonathan (Andrea) Stow of Indianapolis, and Rebecca Hitsman of Sanford. Other survivors include her nine grandchildren, her five great-grandchildren, and her siblings Patricia (Tom) Deharde of Clare, Alan (Marty) Beer of Traverse City, and Karen Malec of Petoskey. She was preceded in death by her parents Michael and Julia Beer, her daughter Julie Austin, and her brother Michael Beer and an infant sister Kathy. A memorial service in honor of Velda will take place on Friday, April 12, 2019 at the St. Cecilia Site of the Our Lady of Hope Parish of Clare at 11:00 A.M. with Fr. Peter Nwokoye officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Cecilia Cemetery of Clare. Friends may visit the Stow family at church on Friday from 10:00 A.M to the time of service at 11:00 A.M. Memorial contributions in honor of Velda may be directed to either the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association. For those unable to attend, online condolences may be shared at www.stephenson-wyman.com.