Gaino Stiltner

Gaino Stiltner, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, classmate, coach, and friend, went to spend Christmas and eternity with his mother on Wednesday, December 23rd at UK Chandler Hospital with his wife and daughter by his side. Gaino and his wife, Debbie Wallace Stiltner, spent 43 years together and have one daughter, Gaina Devin (Kyle) Compton, who was the light of her daddy’s life. He loved his grandchildren, Steven Todd Layne and Kaylynn Ivy Layne, beyond measure. He also loved his little Meg, Anna and Kyle Douglas Compton, II. He was a big brother to four sisters and one brother: Cheryl (Donald) Smith of Owingsville, Kentucky; Connie (Jeff) Deel of Frederickstown, Ohio; Shelia (Jerry) Hurley of Majestic, Kentucky; Rhonda Gayle (Jeff) Freeman of Phelps, Kentucky; and Bill Stiltner of Frenchburg, Kentucky. His longtime friend Bill McKinney was thought of as a brother to Gaino and his family as well. He was a wonderful brother-in-law to Glenetta (Elmer) Dotson, David Cecil Wallace and Deanna Wallace. He loved his nieces and nephews including Mike (Tisha) Dotson, Carrie Ball, Kristen (Chad) Cantrell, Sommer (Andrew) Helton, Josh (Bethanie) Hurley, Jerrica Hurley and fiance’ Dustin Mounts who is also a lifelong friend, Kelcie (Vincent) Rogers, Andy (Amanda) Stiltner, Logan Stiltner, Jarred Freeman, Allyson Matthews and a host of great nieces and nephews. He considered the players he coached through the years as sons and his coaching colleagues as brothers. He was preceded in death by his parents Ernest and Daphene Wolford Stiltner and great nephew Alex Dotson. Gaino was a UMWA member and worked at Chisholm Coal for many years. Gaino has been involved with Phelps football since the program began, first as a player, then as soon as he graduated, he began as assistant coach. In addition, he was a Mason and Masonic Rites will be performed. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a fitting tribute to honor Gaino’s memory will be by doing something special for a child in the community this holiday season and to keep that as a tradition each year going forward.

Services will be held Sunday December 27, 2020 at the McCoy Athletic Center at Phelps High School. Visitation for immediate family will begin at 4:00pm with public welcomed at 5:00pm and wake service beginning at 6:00pm. Funeral services will be held on December 28, 2020 at the Lord’s House in Phelps, Kentucky at 1:00pm. Gaino will be pulled into his parking space at Stiltner Field one last time before proceeding to the gravesite. Gaino’s final resting place will be at the Stiltner Cemetery on Shades Branch in Phelps, Kentucky alongside his parents.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Jones & West Funeral Home of Phelps.  The guestbook may be signed at www.joneswestfh.com.

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