Stalter, Edwin J. (Jack) (1922-2006)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2006 Oct 23 p. 8

Birth date: 1922 Jun 4

text of obituary:

Edwin J. “Jack” Stalter, 84, of Flanagan, Ill., died Oct. 5, 2006, at BroMenn Hospital. He was born June 4, 1922, to Edward and Lena Roszhart Stalter.

He married his lifelong friend, Marcella Rocke, on March 10, 1944.

His life philosophy was drawn from the Old Testament verse, “Whatsoever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” (Eccl. 9:10). During World War II, he served for three-and-a-half years with Civilian Public Service, expressing his Christian discipleship through pacifist witness. Ordained as a minister of Illinois Mennonite Conference in 1948, he pastored Waldo Mennonite Church for 15 years and Science Ridge Mennonite Church for 10 years.

He served as Illinois Mennonite Conference minister from 1975-85. After his retirement, he served as interim minister for several Mennonite congregations, including Congerville, Carlock, Metamora, Bethel and Pleasant Hill.

He was energetically committed to the growth of the Mennonite Heritage Center. He was president of the Illinois Mennonite Historical and Genealogical Society for 13 years, and in 2003 he was honored by the organization with the first Stalter Heritage Service Award.

An avid reader and frequent reviewer of books, he also enjoyed physical and manual labor, including carpentry and gardening, as well as historical and genealogical activities. He was a shepherd to many people throughout his life.

Survivors include his wife, Marcella; four children, Anita Stalter of Goshen, Ind., Deanna Moshier and her husband, Loren, of Normal, Philip Stalter and his wife, Sharon, of Bloomington, and Timothy Stalter and his wife, Kristine, of Iowa City, Iowa; two brothers, Raymond and Paul Stalter; two sisters, Mildred Lugbill and Faye Nussbaum; 10 grandchildren and and two great grandchildren.

A memorial service was held at Prairieview Mennonite Church of Flanagan.