Does anyone out there remember Stewart, the sign painter? I think of him every time I ride my bike past where he once had his shop on Yale.
He had an old Studebaker pickup truck which was in very good condition. I think it had a copper-colored paint job. He painted a sign for me once but I never got to know him very well.
He told me that he painted western scenes that he sold. I took it to mean cowboys, Indians and horses…that kind of stuff. Someone else, might have been Al Greathouse, told me that he got a good price for his art. I remember he was in the habit of calling folks, caballero, I think.
I either read or heard that he died after slipping and falling on an icy sidewalk while he was walking his dog. This may have happened in the early 1980s.
I would truly like to find images of his paintings to add to my Maplewood History archive.
Doug Houser September 10, 2022
I remember Mr Stewart, loved his truck, such a nice man, I always wondered what happened to him. He was always in a good mood whenever I talked with him.
I think he had a big mustache if I remember him correctly and had his Stewart Signs painted on the side of his truck almost exactly like the signature on your sign. By the time I knew him he was mostly retired only had the occasional job. He may have advertised in the journal which is not on Newspapers . com
Yes, and we just called him Stewart. He had several Studebaker cars. He was responsible for many of the decorative logo paintings in Maplewood. Stewart also custom painted Dans Triumph motorcycle, adding too much flourish for Dans taste.
I think these are two different people.
You are correct, Mary. I called the Stengel Sign Shop and talked to the owner. There is no connection to the person I’m looking for. Sorry, Scott. I still have the sign that Stewart painted for me. It was for an antique shop that I had for a couple of years. I’ll post Mr. Stewart’s signature above.
I remember him well. He painted many signs around the Mill property. I believe the name was Stengel. His son still runs the sign company and is located in Fenton near my shop. https://stengelsigns.com/
Much thanks, Scott. I’ll get in touch with his son. I remember that his Dad always signed his handiwork, Stewart or maybe it was Stewart Signs. I just assumed that was his last name. Maybe it was his first? I remember him painting the signs that you mentioned…for the Mill End Fabric store once located in the space that now houses The Living Room.