Merlin Stahel
Merlin Herbert Stahel, age 87, Marathon, passed away August 13, 2020, at Aspirus Hospice House, Wausau.
He was born March 28, 1933, to the late Reinhart and Viola (Langhoff) Stahel, in the town of Stettin. He attended school in Marathon and then was employed as a farm hand at the late Arnold Goetsch farm in the town of Stettin. He was drafted into the armed service in 1953. He served there for two years, including sixteen months in North Korea. In 1955, he was discharged. On June 25 1955, he married Jean Ione Tesch. He was employed locally until 1956, when he moved his family to Milwaukee where he worked in maintenance at a tannery for ten years. In 1966, upon the death of his father, he purchased the homestead farm from his mother. He, his wife and children farmed dairy and ginseng until 1998. He then retired from farming, raised beefers and worked in maintenance at the Eastbay Distribution Center part-time until his wife, Jean, passed away March 30, 2008. He then spent his time doing what he enjoyed all his life, tending to some hobby cattle, fishing, hunting, playing cards and attending polka dances. He was also a lifelong member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, town of Stettin, where he served on the church board and was also a member of the choir and brotherhood for many years. He was also an active member of the Alois Driekosen Post #469 American Legion.
Survivors include one son, Gerald (Carrie Salyers) Stahel, Schofield; three daughters: Roxanne (Chuck) Kaiser, Robin (Steven) Bloom and Renee (Paul) Mucha, all of Marathon; nine grandchildren: Jason (Angela) Stahel, Jamie (Chris Ziegel) Weiler, Jeremy (Pam) Stahel, Kurt (Pam) Behnke, Derek (Heather) Behnke, Andrew (Kelly) Bloom, Amy (Julio) Cruz, Luke (Alanie) Mucha, and Skye Mucha; two step-grandchildren: Cody (Montana) Salyers and Samantha Salyers; fourteen great-grandchildren: Shynia, Cheyanne and Dakota Stahel, Cody (Ryleigh Dahlke) and Caylee Weiler, Carlie, Kyson, Keiarra and Kale Stahel, Marcos and Andres Cruz, Avery Bloom, Ali Behnke, Levi Mucha; five step-great-grandchildren: Gwendolyn, Thea and Cora Salyers, Haley and Rayme Burns; one brother, Melvin Stahel, Marathon; two sisters: Lois Hermans, Marathon, Verna Baneck, Schofield; one brotherin- law, Ray Teske, Wausau; many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his social companion of many years, Carol Uekert.
Besides his beloved wife, Jean, he was preceded in death by his parents, Reinhart and Viola; his grandson, Beau Mucha; sisters: Lydia Werner, Selma Evers, Leona Teske, Esther Mohr; brother, Norman Stahel; brothers in-law: Alvin Werner, William Evers, Joseph Mohr, Gary Hermans, Walter Baneck; sisters-in-law: Clair Stahel and Jeanette Stahel.
A private family funeral service was held Monday, Aug. 17, 2020, at 10:30 a.m., at Trinity Evangelical Church, town of Stettin. Burial was followed in Stettin Christian Cemetery, where full military honors were conducted by the Alois Dreikosen Post #469. Public visitation was held Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020, from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon. Current social distancing and masking guidelines were practiced. A luncheon for family & friends at the Stahel family farm followed the burial. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, town of Stettin. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
The family would like to thank everyone at Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services for the wonderful care and compassion they gave Merlin.
Paid obituary 93305
