Born in Kentucky, grew up in Illinois and now living the best years (retirement) in Indiana. Out of high school I got into the floorcovering trade and was self-employed by the time I was 22 years old. Started having kids at 25 and decided we needed better health insurance and took a job as a John Deere dealership parts clerk at age 32, still doing flooring evenings and weekends.
After 33 years of doing almost every job in the dealership I retired. I spend almost every day in my shop, it has heat, AC and a bathroom or in the garden or yard. We have two wonderful sons and 5 grandkids. I have been woodworking since I was in woodshop in high school. My youngest son owns a Wood-Mizer LT15 Wide mill that I store and run.
Bob Chastain introduced me to the IWCS years ago, but I was unable to attend any meetings because of my job. My wife Brenda and I have been retired now for 2 years and are truly enjoying the meetings and fellowship of the IWCS. We do craft shows; Brenda sews bowl buddies and aprons and bibs, I do turnings, flat work and anything else we think might sell. We love watching our grandkids grow up and look forward to doing all we can to promote the IWCS. I hope to talk with and meet all the members from the Great Lakes Region (if we haven’t already).
PS. my given name is William J Stumph, but I go by Jack.