Don Stahl

Donald D. Stahl, age 93, of rural Lamar, passed away Friday, September 16, 2016, at Barton County Memorial Hospital.      Don was born December 26, 1922, on the family farm he called home all of his life, the youngest of the three children of Ralph and Mary (Vlazny) Stahl.  After graduating from Lamar High School in 1940, he entered the U.S. Army, serving in the Aleutian Islands, Rhineland and Central Europe during World War II.  His infantry division was involved in many battles and campaigns and Don was wounded in action in Germany on April 1, 1945.  He was awarded a Purple Heart as well as many other decorations and citations for his service.      On December 14, 1946, at Lamar, Don married Martha Pahlow and they made their home and raised their three children in Barton County.  In addition to farming, Don was a rural mail carrier for many years, traveling country roads and checking crops as he delivered mail to neighbors and friends.  With a deep concern for his community, Don served on various boards including M.F.A., F.H.A., and Golden City Produce Exchange.  He enjoyed the fellowship of family dinners, friends around a card table, or an evening of bowling.     Don was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Martha, on April 23, 2014; his parents; his brother, Russell Stahl; and his sister, Corene Cassidy.      Survivors include two sons, Ralph (Ann) Stahl and Jack (Sherri) Stahl, all of Lamar; a daughter, Mary (Rick) Davidson, Joplin; ten grandchildren, Angel (Kevin) Patterson, Donovan (Jessica) Stahl, Marty (Jeremy) Ansley, Becky (Logan) Powell, Wendy (Lindy) Rose, Kim Earl, Kelly (Brock) Phipps, Kerry (Jason) Cravens, Kaycia (Joe) Jones, and Ashley (Ben) Turner; 31 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.      Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 21st at Daniel Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. Tuesday.  Burial with full military honors will be in Lake Cemetery.      Memorial contributions are suggested to Lamar United Methodist Church in care of the funeral home.