Merle Stahl

Merle Eugene Stahl died at St. Catherine's Manor, Findlay, on November 30, 2020, surrounded by the spirits of his immediate family both living and deceased. He died of COPD and the COVID-19 virus that he came into contact with at St. Catherine's Manor, Findlay. He was the son of the late Ralph and Elsie-Yoakam Stahl. Merle was born at home on Township Road 165 in Hancock County Ohio. Living siblings include Doris Ennis of Plantation, FL., Kenneth Dale Stahl of Mabelvale, AR, Leona Faye of Findlay, Richard Stahl of Marseilles, OH. Deceased siblings include Warren, Wayne, Dean, Dortha and Raymond. Merle married P. Jean Stahl of Seward, PA on Saturday, September 29, 1956 in Angola, IN. Jean died on August 21, 2017. Merle and Jean had three children, Wendy Stahl-Frakes (Bill) of Vanlue, OH, Russell Stahl (Lissa) of Arcadia, OH and Amy Stahl (David) of Rockbridge, OH. Grandchildren include: Brandi Hill, Vanlue, OH, Christopher of Carey, OH, Emily Hoffman of Chapin, SC, Olivia Altvater of Lisbon, OH and Simon Stahl of Findlay, OH. Great-grandchildren include: Cody, Allyson, Briar, Grace and Hayley. Merle served his country in the United States Army with the 370th Engineer Company based at Kaiserslautern, Germany, 1956-1958, and was in the Ohio National Guard from 1959-1961. As one of the eldest of ten children Merle often was found helping his Dad with trapping, hunting and fishing which were all lifelong hobbies he enjoyed with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. After serving in the military, Merle was employed by Stahl Blacktop; Kerr McGee, formerly in Fostoria; Bargain City, Findlay Taxi Company, Shell Oil Bulk Plant, Warner Buick, La Riche Chevrolet, K&T Drilling and Menards. Merle was a member of the DAV and past member of the Findlay Fishing Club. Merle enjoyed having a very large vegetable garden and took pride in keeping it weed free. Merle liked bluegrass and country music. He played the guitar and often on weekends he sang with family and friends. Merle's other hobbies included restoring vehicles, mushroom hunting, fishing, and tinkering in his garage. If something was broken, he could fix it and if something could be made better, he would redesign it. Memorials can be made to the Mount Blanchard Gun Club as Merle enjoyed guns and taught gun safety to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Visitation will held from 11:00-3:00 on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020, at Coldren-Crates Funeral Home. The family asks that those attending wear jeans and a flannel shirt, Merle's favorite. A private, family only, graveside service will follow at Van Horn Cemetery, Vanlue. Merle will be buried with his wife's cremains, they will be together for eternity at Van Horn Cemetery. Online condolences can be expressed to the family by visiting coldrencrates.com