Mrs. Lillian (Helm) Stahler was born at Polo, Illinois, March 5th, 1874 and died December 16th, 1917 aged 43 years, 9 months and 10 days. All her life was spent in Polo, Ill. She received her early education in the public schools of Polo and later studied music at the Chicago Musical College. She taught music for more than a dozen years, having large classes at Mount Morris, Foreston and at Polo, classes with as many as sixty pupils at one time. In her public work as music teacher, she won a host of friends.

She was united in marriage to Fred W. Stahler at Polo, Illinois on September 22, 1898, the ceremony being performed by Rev. F. W. Landwer, then pastor of the Polo United Evangelical Church. To this happy union was born two sons, Paul and Romayne. Mrs. Stahler was always of a bright cherry disposition and always scattered sunshine wherever she went. She was a great sufferer much of her life and was always patient and cheerful through it all.

She was converted to the Lord Jesus Christ at the age of 15 under the ministry of Rev. Henry Moser in the year 1889, and immediately united with the United Evangelical Church in this city. From that time she has been a faithful and devoted member. She was the teacher of the primary class at her church for 30 years and did faithful work there. She spent much of her time and strength with the children, both of the primary department as well as being Supt. of the Mission Band and in her work has seen many of the boys and girls grow up into church work.

She also directed the singing in the choir and for many years was the efficient organist of the church a place in which she will be greatly missed. It was the delight of Mrs. Stahler’s heart to use her talent for the Glory of her Lord and she gave the best strength of her consecrated life to this task. Her interest in the Lord’s work abroad was no less than that at home and the whole work of the denomination rested upon her heart. In our China mission she took a special interest and knew almost every worker on the field personally.

The same was also true of the Illinois Conference of her church. At the Oakdale camp meeting, She was always in attendance except this year when failing health would not allow, and was one who helped to furnish the music for the services as well as superintending the work of the boys and girls. In the work of her own town she likewise had a deep interest. A member of the W. C. T. U., and all work of the community that stood for the betterment of conditions had her hearty support. During the past eight months she has been a patient sufferer, having had two operations at the Freeport General Hospital. With her return home there were bright hopes of her recovery, until shortly before the end, which came qietly on the Sabbath morning, Dec. 16 at 6 A.M. the day she loved best of all.

She leaves to mourn her loss, her husband, Fred W. Stahler, two sons, , Paul aged 15, and Romayne, aged 11; her mother, Mrs. Louisa Helm of Polo; and one sister, Mrs. Myrtle Griswold of Rockford. Her father and a younger sister, Daisy Helm, preceded her in death. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 18th, conducted by Rev. H. W. Lambert from the United Evangelical Church in this city.

Contributed by Julie Bartimus (source unknown)

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