Merle G. Stahl

Merle Gene Stahl, age 85, entered Heaven on December 1, 2021 from his home in Denver, Colorado.
Merle was born January 17, 1936 in Mill Shoals, Illinois to Henry Stahl and Nell (Buttry) Stahl. He made the most important decision of his life at the age of twelve when he realized that he was a sinner in need of a Savior. He accepted Jesus Christ as his own personal Savior, and since that point has been assured that the blood of Jesus Christ has cleansed him from all sin and provided for his eternal home in Heaven where he now resides.

The second most important decision in Merle's life began on a warm summer evening in Springerton, Illinois where he first laid eyes on Peggy Ann Woodrow while watching a movie on the side of a building. Their connection quickly grew into love, and they married on January 28, 1953. Jobs took them north, and Robin Gene Stahl was born November 1953 in Rockford, Illinois. In order to provide for the family and future, Merle joined the army in December of 1954. While in the military he spent a year serving in post-war Korea and in Fort Belvoire, Washington D.C. His lifetime commitment to truth and doing what was right led him to take a stand against a corrupt officer. He participated in an undercover operation that brought to light and put a stop to the illegal practices he had been invited to join. After an Honorable Discharge in December of 1956, he and his wife and son returned to Illinois.

While living in Peoria, Illinois in May of 1958, daughter Julie Ann (Stahl) Washburn was born. It was there that he also had the opportunity to have on the job training in drafting at the Caterpillar Company. This was the beginning of a life-time career in the field of mechanical engineering/checking. Although he never earned any degrees, his brilliant mind enabled him to excel and become a sought-after checker. 1960 found the family moving to Denver, Colorado to further pursue his career.

In the years to follow, Merle worked as a job shopper, traveling throughout the country working in a variety of companies in the aerospace industry. He worked on projects such as the Hubble telescope, Reagan's Air Force One, a space shuttle launch pad, military fighter planes, and more. His eye for detail made him especially effective as a mechanical checker. Although engineering was a lucrative career, the desire to be hands on led to periods of time as an auto mechanic, a truck driver, a swimming pool installer, and a bakery mechanic. Merle excelled at whatever he did, and never stopped learning.

Merle was an amazing mechanic who could fix almost anything and usually did. He once diagnosed his daughter's car problems from 1400 miles away when local mechanics could not. When future son-in-law Brian's transmission blew in eastern Colorado on the way to the wedding, son Robbie towed the car to the house, and Merle spent the next several days replacing the transmission.

Among his lifelong passions was a passion for spreading the Gospel. While attending South Sheridan Baptist Church in the '80s and '90s, he drove a bus route every Sunday into some of the roughest areas of town. He wanted to be sure those young people were exposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That passion also led to an unwavering support for world-wide missions to which he gave generously and often. They have attended First Baptist Church of Englewood since the early 2000s where Merle was an active member of the church security for many years.

Merle is survived by his beloved wife, Peggy Ann Stahl; daughter, Julie (Brian) Washburn of Alexander, NC; daughter-in-law Cindy Melker Stahl of Denver; Grandchildren: Ranae (Danny) Ramsey of Broken Arrow, OK; Danielle Trevino of Aurora, CO; Tiffany (Tyler) Flageolle of Brighton, CO; Jennifer (Jimmy) Guenther of Moncks Corner, SC; and Jonathan (Anna) Washburn of Mentor, OH. He is also survived by thirteen great-grandchildren: Max and Micah Ramsey of Broken Arrow, OK; Caiden, Madelaine, and Maverick Trevino of Aurora, CO; Levi Flageolle of Brighton, CO; Jacob, Owen, Wesley, and Isla Guenther of Moncks Corner, SC; and Jack, Charlie, and Ava Washburn of Mentor, OH. Merle's surviving siblings are Wendell (Arlene, LaDean Lombardi) Stahl of Colorado, and Karen (Jim) Funnell of Albuquerque, NM. Predeceasing him are his son, Robin Gene Stahl, his parents, and older brothers: Kenneth (Frances, Opal) Stahl; Harold (Margaret) Stahl; and Donald (Valeta) Stahl.