Steven Jon Stahl

Steven Jon Stahl, 54, of Paxton, died Monday, May 23, 2016, in the Sutherland Care Center. Steven was born August 19, 1961, in Ogallala, the son of Verlyn and Donna (Suhr) Stahl of Paxton where he grew up. Steve attended ESU #16 in Ogallala for a short period of time. From there he was a student of the Cozad Trainable School where he learned independence, what it meant to be on a schedule and how to develop good friends with teachers and fellow students. Steve then became associated with the Opportunity Center in North Platte and remained there for more than twenty-five years. He lived in North Platte and during this time his care givers taught him skills for living on his own, cooking his own meals, cleaning his apartment, working at a job and attending community events. One of the highlights of his life was accompanying the staff of the Opportunity Center to Lincoln for a meeting with Governor Heineman and several state senators. Steve was employed at The General Store in North Platte for many years. The customers enjoyed Steve and he enjoyed his job. He never met a stranger and was friendly to everyone. Steve looked forward to weekends with his father back in his hometown of Paxton. He spent the time helping his father around the house. Each Saturday morning they traveled to Ogallala for a donut and a cup of coffee. From there they drove to Lake McConaughy. On Saturday afternoon he and his Dad went to the Sutherland Care Center to see his mother and then have supper at the Windy Gap Grill in Paxton. The North Platte Special Olympics introduced Steve to the sports of field/track and bowling. He became a good bowler and after practice and dedication, he was able to attend state tournaments where he received several medals. The Special Olympics athletes and coaches became special friends to him. The Stock Car Races were Steve's favorite hobby. Attending the races in North Platte with his Dad became a weekly activity during the summer months. Steve was a remarkable man and one that never complained after his 2015 cancer surgery in Omaha. He always had a positive attitude and couldn't wait until he could go back to work at The General Store. Preceding him in death were his brother Mike Stahl, his grandparents Fred and Alvina Stahl and Walter and Marie Suhr, and his uncle Charles Hartman. Survivors include his parents Verlyn and Donna Stahl; Co-Guardians Ty and Dana Merrill; Aunts & Uncles: Marlene and Leo Griffiths, Bonnie and Bill Wendland, Doris and Darrell Farnsworth, all of Paxton; DeEtta Hartman of Cozad, together with many relatives; Terry and Tabitha Smead and other Opportunity Center Staff & Care Givers, The General Store Staff; Special Olympics coaches and many friends. The funeral service will be on Thursday, May 26, at 2 p.m. in the Paxton United Methodist Church. Pastor Brent Block of the Paxton New Life Lutheran Church will officiate. The Service will be live streamed fromdrauckerfuneralhome.com, for those unable to attend. Interment is in the Paxton Cemetery. Memorials have been established to the North Platte Special Olympics or in Steven's memory. Online Condolences may be sent to drauckerfuneralhome.com. Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements. Steven J. Stahl Click to download / open

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