Pastor also taught in Archbold

4/28/2005

ARCHBOLD - The Rev. Myrland W. Stahl, 87, pastor of a Bryan church for 18 years, a teacher in the Archbold Area Local Schools for 15 years, and a farmer, died from complications of dementia Monday in Citizens for Quality Care, Morenci, Mich.

Mr. Stahl, of Fulton County's German Township, retired in the mid-1970s from the Archbold schools, where he taught English and American literature to grades seven through 12. He was fond of 19th-century authors whose work became classics: Poe, Emerson, Hawthorne.

"He tried to make it real interesting for his students so they would enjoy it as well," his son, Tim, said. "He loved to read, and he loved to write."

Mr. Stahl had an easygoing way yet could handle whatever discipline problems he ran into. He even volunteered to host detention sessions for other teachers' students, his son said.

Mr. Stahl received a bachelor of science degree from Defiance College.

Born in Pioneer, Ohio, his family lived in Toledo for a time, and he was a graduate of Libbey High School. His father was a minister in the United Brethren Church and a barber.

After high school, Mr. Stahl went to barber school in Toledo and met his wife, Merle. On weekends, he took the train to visit her in German Township and help out on her father's turkey farm.

He went to Olivet Nazarene College in Illinois and was ordained a minister in the Church of the Nazarene. He became pastor of the Bryan Church of the Nazarene from the early 1940s until 1959. He performed weddings and officiated at funerals. He counseled families and individuals. One member returned from service in the Korean War, and "I remember Dad working with him not only in the psychological sense, but in the spiritual sense," Tim Stahl said.

"He enjoyed ministering to people," his son said. "He felt that was his need and his calling, presenting the Word to people about the good things."

During his teaching career, Mr. Stahl grew corn, soybeans, and wheat on the 55 acres he farmed until about 1980.

He liked watching sports on television. He grew up a New York Yankees fan and, marrying into a Cleveland Indians family, "eventually he was won over to be a Tribe fan," his son said.

Words were a pastime: Mr. Stahl liked to read and to work crossword puzzles.

"I always thought he was very intelligent. He would figure things out. Not in a hurry, but he'd get it done," his son said. "I couldn't have asked for a better dad."

Mr. Stahl and his wife married May 12, 1938. She died March 13, 2001.

Surviving are his son, Tim; brother, Howard; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren, and two step-great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 10 a.m. today in Fayette Church of the Nazarene, of which he was a member. Arrangements are by the Short Mortuary, Archbold.

The family requests tributes to Gideons International or Fayette Church of the Nazarene.