Daryl L. Stahl

Daryl L. Stahl, 87, of Hamilton, Mont., passed away Friday, Feb 21, 2014, at Marcus Daly Hospice in Hamilton.

He was born March 4, 1926, in Glentana, Mont., the son of Harry D. and Jenny Ruth (Lasater) Stahl. He was raised in the northeastern corner of the state in rural areas. His family farmed and he often talked about driving a tractor, preparing the ground for planting.

He was drafted into the army his senior year and was able to get his diploma later. His family moved to Hamilton while he was gone, so upon returning from Japan he came to the Bitterroot. While here, he worked for the Forest Service, and in his spare time he learned to fly. He often said that he had to make a choice; to buy a plane or get married. He had met the love of his life while here in Hamilton. He and Betty Jean Dye were married at her parents’ home on June 3, 1950. They moved to Missoula and he worked for a sawmill. He later went to work for Mountain Bell as a cable splicer for 33 years. While working for Mountain Bell, he and Betty moved around the state of Montana for many years before they settled in Missoula with their growing family.

When his boys were growing up, he and Betty were very active in the Cub Scout Program. He was a Scout Master for many years. After retiring he was a member of the Pioneer Telephone Organization and was active in the Montana Bowhunters also. He loved to hunt and spend time in the outdoors. Camping with family was always a favorite vacation time.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jean; three brothers, Carl, Irvin and Will; and one sister-in-law, Jean Stahl.

Survivors include one daughter, Sandy Kicker and her husband, Bob, of Stockton, Mo .; three sons, Mike Stahl and his wife, Billie, of Hamilton, Alan Stahl and his wife, Teal, of Palmer, Alaska, and Gary Stahl and his wife, Julie, of Clinton, Utah; 17 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; one brother, Leonard Stahl and his wife, Leona, of Harlowton; two sisters, Lois Johnson of Great Falls and Mary Ann Dale and her husband, Wayne, of Glasgow; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 6501 Mormon Creek Rd. in Lolo. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., with Bishop Craig Christensen presiding, followed by interment with military honors at the Sunset Memorial Cemetery, 7405 Mullan Rd. in Missoula.

Condolences may be left for the family at http://www.dalyleachchapel.com.

The family suggests memorials to the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc., P.O. Box 96864, Washington, DC 20090.

The Daly-Leach Chapel Funeral Home in Hamilton is in charge of arrangements.