John D. Stahl

John D. Stahl, 87, died late Sunday, November 13, 2022 at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital after weeks of failing health.

He was born January 21, 1935 in Crawford County to the late Irvin and Mary (Kalb) Stahl and raised on the family farm near Sulphur Springs. While in school, John excelled on the basketball court for the Yellow Jackets, played baseball, and graduated in 1953. That summer, he married Virginia “Ginger” Traxler and they shared 65 years of marriage until her death in 2018. John worked for The Timken Co. for 30 years while pursuing his passion of grain and cattle farming. He loved his farm and the privilege of working with his son. He didn’t miss a day of farm work until his health no longer allowed just a few weeks ago.

John will be remembered as a simple, gentle, soft-spoken, and honest farmer who had a soft heart and abiding faith. Those who knew him best appreciated his dry sense of humor and the fact he seldom had to raise his voice to be heard. He looked forward to every family gathering and never forgot a birthday or anniversary. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing cards, mowing his yards, and lunch at Taco Bell. John and Ginger had the privilege of traveling throughout the United States, loved attending their family’s sporting events, and John’s innovative games at Christmas gatherings were always special. He was an active member of the former Harmony United Methodist Church and attended Scioto UMC. He also was a member of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association and looked forward to the annual Farm Science Review.

John is survived by children, Brad (Chris) Stahl, Todd (Sally) Stahl, and Jennifer (Jim) Bennett; grandchildren, Kelli Stahl, David Stahl, Elizabeth (Marcus) Shirk, Sarah Stahl, Emily Stahl, Craig (Julie) Stahl, Matt (Jo) Stahl, and Jimi Bennett; 12 great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; brother-in-law, Charles Martin; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and beloved wife, John was preceded in death by his sister, Jannetta Martin, and his sisters-in-law and their husbands, Lola (Robert) Hecker and Dolly (Richard) Predmore.

All services will be held on Thursday, November 17 at Scioto UMC, north of Bucyrus. Family will receive friends from 11 am - 12:55 pm and the funeral will begin at 1:00 pm with John’s good friend and former pastor, Dennis DeLong, officiating. Burial will follow in Brokensword Cemetery.

Memorial donations are encouraged to be made payable to Scioto UMC and given at the services or sent to Wise Funeral Service in Bucyrus. Memories and photos can be shared on John’s Tribute Wall.