Sidney E. Stine, age 92 of Stanwood, passed away Wednesday, January 4, 2012 in Baldwin at the Grand Oaks Nursing Home. He was born September, 11, 1919 in Altona, the son of Lawrence and Ethel (McTaggert) Stine. Sidney married Donna DeMott on August 23, 1941 in Adamsville, Michigan. Shortly after their marriage, he was drafted into the United States Army serving during World War II. He was awarded a Purple Heart and a Medal of Conduct before he was honorably discharged in 1945. In 1950 Sidney and Donna moved to Stanwood where they raised their family; together they were members of the Remus Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. He was the kind of guy who made friends no matter where he went. Standing in a line, waiting in a lobby or just out for a stroll, he would manage to strike up a conversation and then someone had to go on the hunt for him since he had been gone so long! When asked who he was talking with sometimes his answer was "Oh, it was so-and-so and I haven't seen him for a very long time: or "oh, I don't know, he was someone I was talking with to pass time." Sidney retired after a lifetime career as an operating engineer. His work included many years for the Austin Gas Fields, later on the Justice Building in Grand Rapids, Spectrum Health-Butterworth Campus in Grand Rapids, several buildings on the Ferris State University Campus, Mecosta County Medical Center, as well as many other local projects. Prior to becoming an operating engineer, Sidney worked on the oil freighters passing through the Soo Locks. After his retirement, he and Donna enjoyed vacationing during the summer at Sault Ste. Marie just to sit and watch the boats come and go through the locks. Sidney had a great love for baseball. That love and hard practice gave him the opportunity to join the professional team, St. Louis Cardinals. As he was about to begin his career with the Cardinals he was called to serve his country being drafted by the US Army. Along with Bill Gannon, John Cutter and Ted Novak, all of Mecosta, he coached the little league team that Steve played for several years. On July 3, 1992, he was inducted into the Mecosta County Sports Hall of Fame. Every year on July 3rd he would attend the induction ceremonies of the Sports Hall of Fame, knowing so many of the inductees, until his health would no longer permit. Sidney loved his family, teasing his grandkids and always had a nickname for everyone in his life. He will be sadly missed by his wife of 70 years, Donna of Stanwood; 3 children, Marsha (Dave) Fountain of Stanwood, Steve (Jan) Stine of Dewitt and Chari (Gary) Nixon of Big Rapids; 15 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; a brother, Max (Roberta) Stine of Muskegon; a special niece, Robin Hoisington of Big Rapids and many other nieces and nephews. Sidney was preceded in death by his parents; 6 brothers and sisters, LaVance (Mike) Stine, Laurene (Toad) Burden, Lawrence (Pat) Stine, Glen Stine, Gayla Stine and Beulah Stine. A memorial service will take place 4:00 p.m. Saturday, January 14, 2012 at the Remus Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses with John Houghton officiating. The family will greet friends from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Memorial contributions in Sidney's name may be given to the family. The family would like to thank Heartland Hospice of Fremont in their role of providing such loving care in keeping Sidney comfortable during the past few months.