Mary Lou Stahl died December 24, 2023, in Junction City, Kansas, at age 87.
She was born on July 9, 1936, in El Dorado, Kansas, to Ernest L. Wall and Jeanetta (Farrar) Wall. Mary Lou graduated from El Dorado High School in 1954, and from El Dorado Junior College in 1956. She attended Emporia State Teachers College, receiving a Bachelor degree in Education in 1960. In 1975, she earned a Master of Science degree from Kansas State University.
Mary Lou’s first job in education was at Ft. Riley Elementary School, where she taught 1st grade. Later, she was a librarian for the school district, traveling among several schools. She eventually became the librarian at Sheridan School in Junction City, and remained there until she retired.
Mary Lou married Junction City attorney William (Bill) Stahl in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in June, 1961. They were married until his death in 2014. They enjoyed dancing and traveling. Mary Lou was a serious student of her family’s genealogy. She loved dogs and cats. She was a member of the auxiliary of the Earl C. Gormley American Legion Post and the Elks Club.
She is survived by her son, Eric Stahl (Mary Louise) of rural Geary County, and daughter, Marsha (Ken) Mecthley, of Topeka. Mary Lou has one grandson, Kevin Mechtley (Lindsay) of Overland Park, KS, and two greatgrandchildren, Miles and Kennedy. She is also survived by a step-daughter, Jill (Stahl) Shaw of Topeka.
A memorial service will be held on January 8, 2024 at Johnson Funeral Home in Junction City. Visitation with the family will be at 10:00 a.m., and the service at 10:30 a.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Friends of Animals of Junction City, the Stahl Family Scholarship for JCHS seniors, and the Alzheimer’s Association, all via Central National Bank.