"Dear Helen,Kirk,& Arnette,So sorry to hear of Arnold passing. I just wanted to say that back in 1957-58 at FSW High School, my life direction was so influenced by my coach Stahl!! As a junior then, I choose to follow an education road in teaching,coaching,counseling,& finally as an administrator.I remember Bev and I spending time on the porch of the little house next to the creek with a coach and his wife who were willing to spend time with us.My only regret is that I did not come to Indiana after retiring 17 years ago to thank Arnold personally for his direction and inspiration. I will be forever grateful.Please accept our apologies for not being able to attend the services. He will be remembered as a special person!Keith RiegerFSW Class of 58"
In loving memory of
Arnold F. Stahl
December 31, 1969 - December 31, 1969
Arnold F. Stahl 79 of Indianapolis, died on October 16, 2010. He was born November 6, 1930 in Ottawa, Ill. to Otto and Elsie Stahl. He graduated with a bachelor?s degree from Western Illinois University and earned his Masters from the University of Illinois. Arnold was a successful basketball coach in Illinois prior to moving to Indiana where he worked as a guidance counselor at North Central High School. He was an avid fisherman, landscaper, loved sports, especially the Illini and was a proud father and grandfather. Arnold is survived by his wife, Helen Stahl; son, Kirk (Judy) Stahl; daughter, Arnette (Scott) Clark; Sister, Marlene (Graydon) Barz; sister-in-law, Cynthia Stahl; grandchildren, Kelly and Alyson Stahl, Austin and Casey Clark. He is preceded in death by his brother, Gordon Stahl. Friends and family will gather on Thursday, October 21st from 4:00pm to 6:00pm in the Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel with a memorial service to follow at 6:00pm. You are invited to visit www.leppertmortuary.com to leave a personal message, sign the guestbook or make memorial contributions to St. Luke's United Methodist Church Chancel Choir or the Salvation Army.
Tributes
"I really don't know what to say, I am still in shock with this news. I was just talking about Mr Stahl to my daughter Sat eve and how important he had been in my life. Then yesterday my mother called me from Indy and read me the obituary for my dear Mr. Stahl. I used to send you Helen and Arnold Christmas cards for years, you sent them back and then a few years ago you quit and then I finally did too wondering what happened to you guys. I'd hoped you'd moved near one of the kids (Annette) as he had always said you hoped to one day.I am just so so sorry for your great loss. Not knowing the circumstances I don't know if it was a blessing or sudden, but either way there are many people out here that will be suffering a great loss not to have him in the world. I was NC class of 1970 and he was my mentor and saving grace all through HS. We kept in touch in person every year until he retired then we still sent the cards. I will never forget how he even entrusted me to "babysit" the kids. He was a wonderful man and is greatly missed. I still think and speak of him often and always will as long as I live.My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I wish I was able to be with you all to honor his memory with you.My love and best to you always, Barb Pakula"
"Arni taught me just about everything there was to know to being a school counselor. Arni was ahead of his time in how to care for students. They now have fancy names for methods and strategies Arni implemented back in the 70's at North Central HS. I would root for Illinois just because I knew it would make Arni happy if they won. I will smoke a cigar tonight in honor of your memory, Arni. Thanks for showing me the ropes on many things. about "
"Dear Helen, Kirk & Arnette,We are so sorry to hear of Uncle Arnolds passing. I really enjoyed spending time with Arnold, he was someone who I respected and looked up to. We had alot of good times at the lake fishing and Christmases in Cullom. This past Winter ,while I was at home recovering from surgery,Arnold cared enough to call and give words of advice and encouragement . Even though we have always lived a long distance from Arnold, we have always felt close to him and he will be missed as a important person in our life. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family."
"We read in today's Bloomington, Ill Pantagraph about the death of Arni. You have our sympathy and prayers.Perhaps you will not remember us but we had many good times when we all lived in Watseka We have lots of good memories of those days."
"Kirk and family,I am so sorry to hear of your loss. He sounds like a wonderful person and I'm sure he was a wonderful father, husband, grandfather, uncle. Although no words can ease the hurt, I hope it will offer some measure of comfort to know that others are holding you close in their hearts."
"Kirk and FamilyArni was a great guy full of life. I always enjoyed seeing him over at your home and talking to him. I know the pain of losing a father and as much as it pains us, his life will always live on in us. Know we are there if you need anything. "
"I was sorry to read about Arnold's passing in the Pantagragh. He was a cousin to my father, Robert Stahl, son of Floyd and Eleanor Stahl. Our sympathies to the family."
"Kirk and Family,So sorry to learn about the passing of your dad. See he was a fisherman. Now I know where you picked up the interest in fishing. I know you have so many precious memories and I hope they help you to make it through this difficult time.Jim Roudebush"
"Dear Helen, Kirk and Arnette,I'm so sorry about Arni's passing. As I write this I'm looking at the photo of him in his green plaid shirt and thinking that it really captures him. That's exactly the image that comes to mind when I think of him"
"Helen, I don't know if you remember me, but I was married to Bob Stahl - Floyd Stahl's son. We attended a couple of the Iowa/Illinois games in Champaign with you guys and Gordon & Cindy. I have a daughter living in Lexington, Il. and she saw the obituary in the paper and called me. I just wanted to extend our sympathies and our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. "
"I am so sorry to hear about Mr. Stahl passing away. He was my counselor at North Central High School. I graduated in 1980. I still kept in touch with him over the years. And lately when he would go to Hardees at Nora for coffee and to visit with bus drivers and other retirees. I go to Hardees with my mom. I also went about two weeks ago to visit him in the hospital. He was a very special guy. He helped me get through School. Mr. Stahl will be missed dearly. I lost my dad in 2004. I know it is hard."
"Kirk, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. I wish I were able to attend this evening to express my sentiments in person. I see now where you got your love of the outdoors and basketball from and your ability to teach others. Your father sounds like he was a very special person. "
"A most memorable service. Arnie's fellow NC counselor, Mr. Richards, summed up my feelings of Arnie when he related a time Mr. Richards told Arnie "Don't you ever have a bad day?""
" We are so sorry that we didn't keep in touch after you left Watseka, but we are so thankful to have known you for a few years. Reta emailed us about Arnies passing. Sincerely Ron & Jo."
"I was so fortunate to have Arni as my guidance counselor at North Central! It was so easy to talk to him as he really made you feel comfortable and at ease in his presence. I sought his advice often. One day, he provided me with the best advice that not only affected my life, but my sister's too! My graduation was fast approaching in 1988, but I had no idea what college to choose, let alone what profession. Aware that I had a strong foundation in math and science, Arni suggested pharmacy, and he noted that I had two schools to choose from right in my backyard, Butler and Purdue! Meanwhile, my sister, Laura having graduated from NCHS in 1987 (she was co-valedctorian that year) was in her first year at Hanover pursuing a liberal arts education. I called my sister at Hanover, told her about my conversation with Arni, and told her I had chosen to pursue a pharmacy degree at Butler. I suggested that Arni's advice might appeal to her too, and it did! She left Hanover and joined me in the College of Pharmacy at Butler. Today, we are both happy and successful pharmacists. I have my Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree and my sister is a Doctor of Pharmacy...and we owe it all to Arni. With my deepest sympathy,Michelle Olin PetronzioNCHS Class of 88"