Shirley Mae Stahl

Shirley Mae Stahl, 88, of Ravenna, Ohio died Thursday, May 28, 2015 at Bonnie’s Home Health Care following a period of declining health. Born in Brady Lake, Ohio on September 14, 1926, she was the daughter of Earl and Mae (Rice) North. A Nearly-life-long resident of Ravenna Township, Shirley Graduated from Ravenna Township High School in 1944 and attended Kent State University where she majored in music. She met her husband Robert Brooks Stahl, a returning World War II soldier, waiting at a bus stop while on her way to a dance in downtown Ravenna. They married September 23, 1946 in Cumberland, Maryland. Together they owned and operated Stahl’s Bakery in Kent, Ohio where they worked side by side from 1949 until their retirement in 1986. The bakery became a family affair with all four of their children working with them at times during their teenage and young adult years.

A lover of music, Shirley played clarinet in her high school and college bands, and was a member of the Kent State University choir. She played piano and organ at home, sometimes giving piano lessons. She sang in her church choir where she founded and directed the Chalice Chimes choir.

Shirley was an 80 year member of the Ravenna First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) where she participated in Christian Women’s Fellowship and the Cozy Quilters. She was a longtime member of the auxiliary at the Kent American Legion Post 496, serving as the group’s president the same year her husband was post commander. She was a member and past president of the Ravenna Junior Women’s Club, and the Ravenna Women’s Club. After retiring from business she volunteered for the Christian Cupboard in Ravenna, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the Portage County Board of Elections, and for the Ohio Reads program at Willyard Elementary School in Ravenna.

Shirley took up painting later in life, winning blue ribbons at the Portage county Randolph Fair. A selection of her paintings were featured at a gallery in Hershey, Pennsylvania, while many more grace the walls in the homes of her children and friends.

A knitting devotee, Shirley passed many hours creating beautiful comforters and afghans. She kept her children and grandchildren in sweaters, hats, scarves and mittens, and even knitted for students at Willyard School.

Mrs. Stahl was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, who died November 3, 1992; her son, Jack Timothy Stahl, who died April 21, 2009; her father (October 5, 1951); and her mother (June 15, 2001).

Surviving are her children Karyn (Dean) Hooper of Hershey, Pennsylvania; Rebecca (Robert) Philpot of Garrettsville, Ohio; Mark Stahl (Ben Mancino) of Ravenna; and daughter-in-law Diane Stahl of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Also surviving are grandchildren Dane Hooper of Centre Hall Pennsylvania, Dr. Jennifer Hooper McCarty of Portland, Oregon; Justin Mancino of Akron, Ohio, Sarah Mancino Haas of Akron, Robert Stahl of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and Michael Stahl of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, as well as seven great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren in Pennsylvania and Akron.

Family and friends will be received Tuesday June 2, 2015 from 6:00pm until 8:00pm at the Wood-Kortright-Borkoski Funeral Home, 703 East Main Street in Ravenna, and again from 10:00am until the 11:00am funeral service, officiated by long-time family friend, Reverend Wayne Enders on Wednesday, June 3rd. Interment will follow at Grandview Memorial Park.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.wood.kortright.borkoski.com

The family wished to express their gratitude to the owner and staff of Bonnie’s Home Health Care for the love and concern that Shirley received during her time with them.

Memorials may be made to The First Christian Church, 420 South Prospect Street, Ravenna, Ohio 44266 or to Bonnie’s Home Health Care, 4826 New Milford Road, Ravenna, Ohio 44266.