Loren G. “Zeb” Stahlhut: 1934-2009
Loren G. “Zeb” Stahlhut, age 74, a resident of rural Churubusco, died Sunday morning March 8, 2009 at his residence. He had been in ill health but his death was unexpected. Zeb was the third generation born on the family farm near Arcola settled by his great-grandfather in the 1860s. He was born December 4, 1934 in Lake Twp. Allen County, Indiana a son of the late Carl and Gertrude (Wertman) Stahlhut. As a young man he started driving a milk truck route at the tender age of 14 in the Arcola Fort Wayne area and attended Arcola High School. He was engaged in farming for 40 plus years, and over the years, he was employed by Smitty’s Welding, followed by Schaefer Implements and finally started Zeb’ Welding and Repair for 42 years. He was united in marriage at Suburban Bethlehem Lutheran Church to Beverly Joyce Chastain on July 3, 1954. The couple moved to their farm in Churubusco in 1967, living there while raising their 4 children and countless cows. He was admired by many farmers in the Ft. Wayne/Arcola area and regarded as the man to call for his extensive knowledge and skill in repairing all types of farm equipment. His unsurpassed mechanical skills were nowhere more evident than in his own farm equipment including his Minneapolis Moline Tractors with which he did his own farming. His hobbies included Pony Pulls, Bowling, a lifelong love of playing Euchre and Spoons as well as a recently acquired passion for his Wii and Wii Fit. His alltime favorite pastime was repairing something that no one else could.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years Beverly J. Stahlhut; their children Michael (Georgia) Stahlhut of Churubusco, Kathy (David) Cramer of Pensacola, Florida, and Timothy Stahlhut, and Cindy (John) Husar, both of Fort Wayne; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; three brothers, Larry (Joy) Stahlhut of Fort Wayne, Dennis (Renee) Smith of Lantana, Florida, and Stanley (Sally) Smith of Chugiak, Alaska.He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Ronald Stahlhut in 2000 and sister Karen Lambert in 2005.Funeral services will be held on Friday March 13, 2009 at 10:00 a. m. in the Faith Lutheran Church in Churubusco with Pastor Lane Burgland, officiating. Burial will follow in the Covington Memorial Gardens in Fort Wayne. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 p. m. in the Sheets and Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco, and also on Friday morning at the church one hour prior to the service.For those who wish memorial contributions may be directed to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Indiana Chapter, 941 E. 86 th. Street, suite 100, Indianapolis, Indiana 42640-1842. Envelops will be available in the funeral home.
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To leave a condolence for the family in Mr. Stahlhut’s memory, click on “Condolence” below. . .
March 10th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
To our sister and her children,
We share your sorrow in the sudden loss of Zeb.
God be with you.
Wayne & Chris Chastain
March 11th, 2009 at 8:16 am
Beverly and family – I am so sorry to hear of Zeb’s passing. I would be coming to see you however at 4:00 today I am leaving town with my family. I wanted you to know that I will be thinking of you and that even though we see each other so seldom, you are a special part of my extended family. Stan has always told me about when you were there to see Mom and what was going on with you. We so appreciate all your visits and I hope to see you somewhere else very soon. God bless you and lean on him for comfort and peace. He is always with you and knows your suffering all too well. Share the faith in love and LET others reach out to you and support you.
March 11th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
To all of Zeb’s family and friends,
Please accept our condolences on Zeb’s passing. We will keep Zeb and you in our thoughts and prayers during this time. Though unfortunately we didn’t really get a chance to know Zeb, we have been very blessed to have his and Beverly’s daughter Cindy as part of our family.
David and Colleen Donovan
March 11th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
I had just found an old letter from you about a week ago, so what a shock to read about Zeb. Though I have never had the privilage to meet him, it sounds like he was a terrific fellow. Take care of yourself and maybe someday we might meet again. My address is still 4901 South State Road 1, Bluffton, Indiana 46714. May God be with you at this time and the rest of your life.
Barbara (Alford) Biberstein
March 11th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
To Bev and the Stahlhut family,
You are all in our thoughts and prayers. It has been our pleasure to have been your brothers and sisters in Christ for these 20 years. Zeb, and you too Bev, has been such a strong example for our family of what Christian service is all about. I am sure you have no idea how many lives you have touched over the years through your work for Christ. Zeb was a fine man…and while you will miss him, he will be missed by many, many others. We mourn as those who have the promise of eternal life!
God bless all of you in your time of mourning.
Keith and Cheri Wyss and Family
March 11th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Dear Beverly and Family:
Jack said he talked to both of you at Rhonda’s viewing. We remember the good fellowship at Faith.
You have our deepest sympathy and prayers. I have emailed the AuBuchons.
God’s strength be with all of you.
Jane & Jack Helton
March 12th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Dear Bev and family,
I was so sorry to hear that Zeb passed away unexpectly. When we saw one another recently I felt both he and you looked both looked so well and was pleased to know that he was getting along so much better. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and that I’m wishing you peace.
Judy Gaulden
March 12th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
We are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Ann and Brian Walsh