Stahl, Merlin O. (January 24, 1902 - December 4, 1980)

STAHL, FAAS, GOODMAN, HEITSHUSEN, SLAYMAKER, GOETTSCH, WELSH, LORTZ

Posted By: Deb Bennett-Jónsson (email)
Date: 6/24/2010 at 16:24:54

Newspaper: The Newspapers of Iowa County
Posted: Thurs., Dec. 11, 1980

Services Held Saturday For Merlin O. Stahl

Services for Merlin O. Stahl, 78, Williamsburg, were held Saturday, Dec. 6, at 1:30pm, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Williamsburg. The Rev. Bonifacio Mequi, Jr. and the Rev. J.M. Steffenson, Mount Vernon, officiated.

Stahl died early Thursday morning, Dec. 4, 1980, at Mercy Hospital, Iowa City, after five days of hospitalization following a stroke.

Organist Dorcas (Mrs. Brad) Furman accompanied Barbara (Mrs. Glenn) Dennler as she sang “How Great Thou Art” and “In the Garden.” Ushers were Leo Langley and Dale Mayberry. Caring for the flowers were Mrs. Vernon Meade and Mrs. Murray Hall.

Burial was in Pilot Grove cemetery, Pilot Township, southwest of Williamsburg. Casket bearers were nephews Verlyn Stahl, Paxton, Neb.; George Stahl, Everett Welsh, Williamsburg; and others were Marvin Doschadis, Vernon Meade, Deane Cranston, all Williamsburg.

Merlin Orville Stahl was born on a farm in Pilot Township, southwest of Williamsburg, Jan 24, 1902, the son of George W. and Caroline Faas Stahl. He received his education in the Pilot Center rural school.

On Oct. 29, 1924 he married Bess M. Goodman at the Ohio Church parsonage. The late Rev. McCain conducted the marriage ceremony. The couple farmed in Pilot Township until retirement and moved to Williamsburg Jan. 14, 1955.

He was a member of the Pilot Grove church, rural Williamsburg until its merger with the St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Williamsburg, where he became a member.

He was active in community affairs, church work, served on the board of directors of the Patrons Mutual insurance company and was a member of the Iowa County Farm Bureau.

Surviving in addition to his wife, Bess, are two daughters, Cleo (Mrs. Gordon) Heitshusen, South Amana; and Maralyn (Mrs. Thomas) Slaymaker, route one; eight grandchildren, one great-granddaughter and a number of cousins, nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents, an infant grandson, Jay Slaymaker, who died October 1962; a son, Lorren, who was killed in a car accident, January 1964; a brother Fred, who lived at Paxton, Neb.; a brother Elmer and three sisters, Olga (Mrs. John) Goettsch, Glova (Mrs. Floyd) Welsh and Rose (Mrs. Ralph A.) Lortz, who all lived in the Williamsburg area.