Ruben J. Stahl, 90, of Mellette, died Monday, May 11, 2015 at Community Memorial Hospital in Redfield. His funeral will be Saturday, May 16, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Northwestern United Methodist Church in Mellette. Reverend Peggy Wobbema will officiate. Burial will be in the Mellette Cemetery with military rites. Visitation will be Friday from 2-8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. and the family present starting at 6:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral home in Redfield. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Ruben was born May 5, 1925 to Paul J. and Anna (Wipf) Stahl in rural Freeman, SD. He attended school in Freeman and entered the United States Navy on November 7, 1942. He met the love of his life, Betty Delrymple, in 1943, while stationed at Bunker Hill Naval Base near Kokomo, IN. Ruben was stationed in the Pacific/Marshall Islands during World War II. Ruben and Betty were married on January 3, 1946 in Kokomo and Ruben was honorably discharged on January 31, 1946.

Ruben and Betty lived in Kokomo until 1953, when they moved back to Ruben's hometown of Freeman. Ruben worked for his brother, Jack, as a Standard Oil truck driver. In 1965, they moved to Ashton, where Ruben was the Standard Oil Agent and he drove school bus. In 1965, Ruben moved his family, one more time, to Mellette, to be the Standard Oil Bulk Agent for Mellette and Ashton. Ruben was known to have a pack of gum for all his customer's children. After retiring in 1981, Ruben and Betty enjoyed wintering in Phoenix, AZ and summers were spent traveling and fishing on the Missouri River. Betty passed away in 2008.

Ruben loved playing cards, hunting and fishing and was an avid fan of horse racing. He loved watching his grandchildren at their athletic activities. He always had a Snickers bar ready for the kids, especially after they had a big achievement.

He was a member of the Northwestern United Methodist Church, Harris-Dennis American Legion Post, VFW and Northwestern Spink Senior Citizens.

Ruben is survived by one daughter Rhonda (Max) Borchard of Northville; three sons: James (Cynthia) Stahl of Oswego, IL; Steve (James Dee) Stahl of Dayton, WA; Don (Linda) Stahl of Mellette; eight grandchildren: Renee (George) Lombard, Doug (Danielle) Stahl, Janelle (Jared Ladbury) Stahl Ladbury, Kayla (Kris) Sparling, Jennifer Stahl, Ben (Lauren) Borchard, Betsey (Saven) Lechner and Nicholas Stahl; eight great grandchildren: Dawson and Emily Lombard, Kyle and Kade Stahl, Evalynn and Xavier Ladbury and Drew and Macy Sparling, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Betty, two brothers: Paul A. Stahl and Jack J. Stahl and four sisters: Katy Wollman, Anna Wollman, Irene Weight and an infant sister.