JOHN STAHLY

March 26, 1938 - Dec. 18, 2007
NAPPANEE - John Irvin Stahly, 69, of 7136 State Road 19, Nappanee, died at 1:55 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007, in Hubbard Hill Estates, Elkhart. He had been in ill health for several months. He was born on March 26, 1938, in the home where he lived in Nappanee to Gerald and Irene Bickel Stahly. Mr. Stahly lived his lifetime in the Nappanee area.

He was a 1956 graduate of Nappanee High School. He graduated from Purdue University in 1960 and received his master's degree from Indiana University in 1962. He received his master's degree in geology from the University of Notre Dame in 1971. Mr. Stahly retired from South Bend Adams High School after 41 years in education. He was a lifetime member of the National Education Association and was a former employee of the South Bend Parks Dept.

He served as a 4-H leader for many years and helped introduce 4-H into the South Bend school system. He was a past president of the Nappanee Lions Club, and had served as a 4-H judge in Elkhart, Kosciusko, LaPorte, St. Joseph and Marshall counties. He was a member of Parents without Partners, was a historian and enjoyed genealogy. He also enjoyed flying and aviation.

Surviving are two sons, David (Mary) Stahly of Nappanee and Frederick (Susan) Stahly of Sherman Oaks, CA; and three grandchildren, Shelby, Katlyn and Nolan Stahly, all of Nappanee. Friends may call in the Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, from 4 to 8 p.m. today and one hour before the funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 21, in the First Mennonite Church in Nappanee, where he was a member. Rev. Janet McFall-Brown, pastor of the church, will officiate. Burial will be at Union Center Cemetery, Nappanee. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Mennonite Church.