Ellis "Joe" D. Stabler

Ellis “Joe” D. Stabler, 94, of Kewanee, passed away Monday, November 11, 2024, in Normal, IL. Joe was born November 25, 1929, in Kewanee, the son of Charles G. and Lillie M. (Jackson) Stabler. Joe attended and graduated from Neponset High School with the class of 1946. He married Lois A. Sanders on May 21, 1950, at the First United Methodist Church, Kewanee; she preceded him in death on May 9, 2024; they were married 74 years.

Joe is survived by three daughters, Karen (Larry) Shimmin, Coal Valley, Krista (Wayne Mandel) Stabler, St. Louis, MO, Karyl (Mark) Hill, Bloomington, IL; grandchildren, Erica (Todd) Tholl, Kraig (Amanda) Hill, Kara (Jeffrey Stenzie) Hill and Kody Hill; great-grandson, Chase Tholl, Camden Hill; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; sister and brother-in-law, Lois and Philip Vandemore; brother and sister-in-law, Charles W. and Fern L. Stabler; nephews, Jack, Gary, and Jerry; and a niece, Sherry Ann (Roger) Cannon.

Joe worked on a farm from 1946 until 1951, in December he enlisted in the Navy during the Korean War. Joe served two tours of duty in Korean Waters and one year of duty on Aleutian Islands, Adak Naval Air Station, Alaska. In 1955 he returned to Neponset and continued to farm. Joe served on the Neponset School Board, the Board of Directors for the Neponset Grain Elevator, he was an active member of the Neponset Methodist Church and Volunteered with the Neponset Fire Department.

In 1970 Joe owned and operated the Standard Oil Distributing Company. In 1973, he managed and operated the Petroleum Department for the Kewanee Farmers Co-op. In 1978, Joe became a sales representative for Nationwide Agri-Business Insurance Company, winning three President’s Awards for being the top sales agent for the year. He retired from Nationwide in 1989. After retirement he worked part-time for Jager Insurance Company in the Commercial Department for several years.

Joe was a 50+ year member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8078, and the Kewanee Masonic Lodge. He was also a member of the Midland Country Club, Salvation Army Board, the Harmony Chapter of the Eastern Star and the Cornerstone Club with the Kewanee Hospital. Joe was a 90+ year member of the Methodist Church. He served many positions at the Methodist Church and was the past president of the Tri-County Shrine. He volunteered as a Blue Coat at the Kewanee Hospital since 1991. He served on the Kewanee Veterans Council for 20+ years, providing funeral services for over 500 deceased veterans.

A Celebration of Life will be from 1:00 – 4:00 pm, Saturday, December 14, 2024, at Midland Golf Club, Kewanee. Private burial will be at Evergreen Memorial Gardens with Military Honors by the Kewanee Veterans Council. Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church, Kewanee or the Kewanee Veterans Council. Please leave an online condolence for Joe’s family at www.golnickschuenemanfh.com.

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