Stahl, Melvin Roy (1935-1948)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1948 Aug 12 p. 2

Birth date: 1935 Nov 22

text of obituary:

S. D. BOY KILLED IN RUNAWAY

Freeman, S. D. — Funeral services took place here on Monday, Aug. 2, for Melvin Stahl, 13-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Stahl who was instantly killed on Saturday when trampled by a team of runaway horses. He suffered a broken neck and fractured skull.

The tragedy occurred near the grain elevator in Freeman, where the young man was delivering a wagon-load of grain. The horses started off while he was eating lunch with some other drivers nearby, and he was run over when he tried to stop them.

The parents and nine brothers and sisters survive.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1948 Aug 26 p. 3

text of obituary:

MELVIN ROY STAHL

Melvin Roy Stahl, our beloved twin son and brother, was born Nov. 22, 1935, three miles west of Freeman.

He was a very happy and brilliant boy. This last year he completed the seventh in the rural school. He loved Sunday school and attended regularly. Melvin was gifted with singing. One of his favorite songs was; "Tell the World Jesus Saves,"

Melvin brought much happiness and sunshine to our home. When asked what he wants to be some day he always said, "Since Jacob my older brother wants to be a preacher when he grows up, Marvin and I will be the Gospel singers for him."

It was only last Sunday night, when they had gone to their room, that they sang in merry tones the well beloved chorus which they had learned in Bible school.

Melvin was willing to spend many long hours fixing up things for his shut-in-sister, Anna, who has been an invalid for nearly eight years. He also showed great love for his parents. Every night before going to bed he would come to his mother and give her a good-night kiss.

Saturday, July 31, he with the rest of the threshing crew ate a big dinner. In the afternoon at 2:30 a full load of bundles passed over his neck and his life was crushed out in an instant, His age was 12 years eight months and 12 days.

He leaves to mourn his much too early departure his deeply bereaved three sisters, Anna, Kathryn (Mrs. Marvin Hofer), and Mary; six brothers, Mike, Paul, John, Willard, Jake, and his twin brother Marvin: one sister-in-law (Mrs. Mike M. Stahl); one brother-in-law, Marvin P. Hofer; his aged grandfather, Paul W. Gross: and a great host of relatives and friends. We mourn his early departure, yet not without hope.

Funeral services were held Monday in the College gymasium [sic]. At the home Rev. Peter J. Stahl spoke. Mr. and Mrs. Paul J. Decker and Edna Stahl sang: “This World is Not My Home," and "I Am Going Down the Valley." In the gym Revs. Peter J. Stahl, J. I. Walter and J. J. Regier were the speakers. The trio sang "Zions Hill" and "My Heavenly Home." At the grave Peter J. Stahl had Scripture and prayer and the trio sang "Shall We Meet Beyond the River."