Obituary of Ann Stahl

Ann Stahl, 101, of South 3rd Street in Niles passed away at Brentwood Manor on Monday, May 9, 2011. Ann was born on August 26, 1909 in Summitville, Tennessee to the late Herbert and Ada (Mears) Hibberd. She was one of 6 children growing up in the Hibberd household. In 1927, at the age of 18, Ann traveled by train with her parents and siblings to Niles, Michigan where her father worked for the French Paper Mill. Ann was a very outgoing person, riding horses and motorcycling with her brothers; she also played on a local softball league. In 1931 her earnings afforded her the opportunity to purchase a blue 1929 Ford Roadster with a rumble seat, the first car in the Hibberd family. Later in life Ann would bike the approximately 2 miles to Silverbrook Cemetery, twice a week, to care for flowers at family graves. She did this until the age of 80. Ann always exhibited her independence. After a minor car accident at the age of 89, where she lost her driver's license, she would drive up and down her long drive way to prove she could still drive. After her husband passed away in 1995 Ann continued to live at their home on Lake Street until May of 2000 when she moved to Brentwood Assisted Living. On her first visit to Brentwood, she immediately picked out the room she wanted and began choosing new furniture for her apartment. While living at Brentwood she purchased a scooter and had fun driving it around the hallways and became fondly known as the 'Night Rider'. On January 24, 1942 Ann wed the love of her life, James Stahl in a double ceremony with her sister Edna at the Presbyterian Church in Niles. Ann worked for Tyler Refrigeration from 1945 until her retirement in 1971. Ann and her husband, whom she fondly called Jimmy, always took their vacation time in the winter and would travel to Florida to spend time at the beach. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband James, sister Gertrude Walker and brother Grant, William and Robert Hibberd. Ann is survived by her sister Edna Schutt of Elkhart, Indiana, nieces and nephews Edytha (Wesley) Bowerman of Berrien Springs, Michigan Patricia (Mel) Timmons of Edwardsburg, Michigan, Gene Hibberd of California, Gary Hibberd of St. Joseph, Michigan, Pamela Mims of Mishawaka, Indiana, Donald (Diane) Hibberd of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Clayton (Margaret) Walker of Niles, Michigan and LeRoy (Rhonda) Walker of Mustang, Oklahoma, 21 great-nieces and nephews, 15 great great nieces and nephews and 2 great great great nieces. Services to honor Ann's long and wonderful life will be held on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Brown Funeral Home with a time of visitation one hour prior. Ann will be interred privately at Silverbrook Cemetery. Condolences, photos and memories may be uploaded for the family here or on our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.