Harold Stahl

Harold Edward Stahl died on May 31, 2021, at Enfield Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Enfield at age 95. He was born on November 22, 1925, in Mill Shoals Township to Henry and Nell (Buttry) Stahl. He attended Enfield High School, but enlisted his senior year and graduated later.  He served as a medic with the Fifth Army. His service in World War II included a period in Japan after the surrender and through the first months of the occupation.

At the end of his WWII service, Harold returned to Enfield and on March 12, 1947, he married his high school sweetheart, Margaret Unfried. Together they set out to start a family and embarked on what would be a decades-long career as farmers, eventually in partnership with their son, Tom.  Harold was very active over the years in the farming community, including volunteer work with the local and state Farm Bureau and 4-H Clubs. In 1987, he was named a Master Farmer by Prairie Farmer. Harold was also an active member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church near Enfield. In 1988, Harold and Margaret retired, and moved to Carmi in 1990, where they continued to be active; joining St. Polycarp's and regularly working as election judges and bailiffs at the courthouse. They also liked to travel, and a highlight was their trip to Japan in 1987 to attend the wedding of Yukari Togo, who had lived with them as an exchange student in 1981. Harold was also an enthusiastic and engaged Cardinals fan, keeping up with the team from Stan Musial through Yadier Molina. He also enjoyed pets, including an endless collection of barn cats, as well as beloved dogs and house cats.

Family was always important to Harold, from his brothers and sister to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Nell, as well as by his brothers Donald and Kenneth. He is survived by Margaret; his brothers Wendell Stahl, of Thornton, Colorado and Merle Stahl, of Denver, Colorado, and his sister, Karen Funnell, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, his son, Tom (Patti) Stahl, of New Harmony, Indiana; his daughter, Deanna (Joe) Kovacich, of Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Five grandchildren survive: Heather (Glen) Pierce of Jasper, Indiana; Levi (Stacey Shintani) Stahl of Chicago, Illinois; Matthew (Jill) Stahl of Indianapolis, Indiana; Sarah Driscoll of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; and Ben Kovacich of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; and four great-grandchildren: Carson Pierce, Ainsley Pierce, Aubree Stahl, and Blake Stahl.

A private service will be held with burial at St. Polycarp Cemetery in Carmi. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, friends donate to Pets at Risk in Carmi, or to their own local animal shelter. Campbell Funeral Home in Carmi is in charge of arrangements.