Jill Kathy Stewart

Jill Kathy Stewart passed away suddenly at her home on July 4th, 2026 in New Concord, Ohio at the age of 73. Born on June 9th,1953 in Ravenna, Ohio to Cecil Earl and Thelma June (Huselton) Stinson, She attended Groveport-Madison High School in Groveport, Ohio and then graduated from Bexley High school in Bexley, Ohio in 1971. She went on to attend classes at Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio.

She married Edward Clifford Stewart at The Community Camp in New Plymouth, Ohio on June 9th, 1973. The Community Camp was a wilderness style camp directed by her mother Thelma. Ed and Jill met there while both working as camp counselors.

After getting Married, Jill and Ed lived in Athens, Ohio and Lafayette, LA before settling in New Concord, Ohio where Ed served as the Chief of Police. Jill worked as a Floral Designer in New Concord for many years and as a cook for East Muskingum Schools and Muskingum College.

She was active in the community, serving on the board of the East Muskingum Swimming Pool Association, member of Stormont PTA, volunteering for various community events, attending scrapbooking workshops, and was a Member of College Drive and Westminster Presbyterian Churches. She also loved spending time with friends, researching her family genealogy, going antique shopping, and frequently going on a spontaneous adventure. She enjoyed learning about current events and global news, as well as learning more about nature and the environment. She relished spending as much time with family as possible.

Jill loved traveling and world culture. In College, she proudly voyaged on Semester-at-Sea (World Campus Afloat), where she sailed around the world. Jill has been to countries including: Australia, Canada, Djibouti, Fiji, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, and Sri Lanka. She also traveled to 49 of the 50 U.S. states, 4 Continents, and met notable people like Desmond Tutu.

She spent her final years traveling as much as she could with her son, Jordan, to places like Gettysburg PA, Winchester VA, Virginia Beach, Shenandoah NP, Lake Erie, her beloved Kelley’s Island, as well as countless state and national parks.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband Edward Stewart, Sisters Merry Anne Harrison, Elizabeth Sue Breakey, Peggy Jo Stinson and a brother Melvin Wayne “Scooter” Hetrick.

She is survived by her sons Jordan Edward Stewart of Parkersburg, WV and Benjamin Robert (Heidi) Stewart of Manheim, PA and her grandchildren Gunnar (Chloe) Stewart, Colton Stewart, Josie Stewart, Rocky Stewart, Alianna Stewart, and Giana Stewart. One Great Grandchild Archer Stewart. She is also survived by her brother Jack Kerlin (Patricia) Stinson of Worthington, Ohio.

A celebration of Life is take place Saturday August 1, 2026 at 2 pm at College Drive Presbyterian Church, 2 E High St, New Concord, OH 43762.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jill’s memory to Semester at Sea: alumni.semesteratsea.org/g/semester-at-sea-diversity-scholarship-fund