Loren Stahlhut

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 generatione born on the family farm near Arcolae settled by his great-grandfather in the 1860s.e He was borne 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 ande finally started Zeb' Welding and Repaire for 42 years.e 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, e 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. e Burial will follow in the Covington Memorial Gardens in Fort Wayne. e 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. e Envelops will be available in the funeral home. ************************************ e e To leave a condolence for the family in Mr. Stahlhut's memory, click on "Condolence" below. . .