Rex Stangland

Rex Edward Stangland, 78, of rural Albion, passed away on Thursday, July 25, 2013 at his home, with family at his side, Following a long battle with multiple myeloma. Mr. Stangland was born on June 4, 1935 in Wolf Lake, a son of Jay and Mary (Starkey) Stangland. He spent his formative years in Wolf Lake, and graduated from Wolf Lake High School in 1953. On October 28, 1956 he was married at Merriam Christian Chapel to Evelyn L. Gaff, and moved from Merriam to his beloved farm in rural Albion where he had lived for over 55 years. He was engaged in farming in Noble County all of his life. He also was employed at Dana Corp., Fort Wayne for 31 years. He also spent time as a commercial pilot. He enjoyed his simple life of church, family, farming, and hunting. Mr. Stangland was a life time member, former Deacon, and Sunday School teacher for 50 years at Merriam Christian Chapel. He also served on the advisor board of the Noble County Health Department and also served on the Noble County 4-H fair board. The surviving relatives include wife, Evelyn L. Stangland of Albion; two daughters, Deborah (Jerel) Shively of Columbia City and Dawn (Michael) Taylor of Greenville; two sons, David (Louise) Stangland and Daniel (Emily) Stangland both of Albion; a brother, Don (Pat) Stangland of Albion a sister, Sue Johnson of Albion; 16 grandchildren, Adam (Annette) Shively, Amy (Weston) Perry, Andrew (Lizabeth) Shively, Benjamin (Jarin) Shively, Bryce Shively, Sarah and Megan Taylor, Ethan, Allison, Annetta, and Everett Stangland, Eli (Audra) Stangland, Neal (Lauren) Stangland, Ted, Abe, and Ruby Stangland; three great-grandchildren Austin, Avery, Ace Shively. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm Tuesday at Merriam Christian Chapel, with Pastor Steven Pulley, officiating. The family will receive friends at the Merriam Christian Chapel from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm Monday, or one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in the Christian Chapel Cemetery, Merriam. For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Merriam Christian Chapel Building Fund or Gideon's International. ***********************