Esther Stadler

Mrs. Esther Kell Neely Stadler, age 97, of Village of Brookwood, passed away on Friday, October 24, 2014 at her residence after several months of failing health. Born in Fort Lawn, SC, she was the daughter of the late William Edgar Neely and the late Mary Eva Rape Neely and was married for over 69 years to the late Charlie William Stadler, who passed away in 2001. Mrs. Stadler was employed with May Hosiery for 15 years before leaving to co-found Stadler's Grocery which became Stadler's Country Hams in 1949 where she served as secretary until her retirement. She became a member of Glen Raven Methodist Church later to become Faith United Methodist Church in 1943, where she served as a former choir member and was named Lay Person of the Year in 1989. Esther was a past member of the Women's Division of the Chamber of Commerce and volunteered with the Womens Auxillary of the former Memorial Hospital of Alamance and was an avid supporter and carrier for Meals on Wheels. She was named Civitan Woman of the Year in 1985, featured on WFMY's 2 Those Who Care in 2000 and was Social Services Volunteer of the Year in 2005. She, along with her husband Charlie, were two of the founders of the Allied Churches Homeless Shelter and the Good Shepherd Kitchen. Mrs. Stadler is survived by her two sons, Thomas Richard "Bud" Stadler and his wife, Doris, of Burlington and Virgil Stadler and his wife, Ann, of Elon; six grandchildren, Richard E. "Rick" Dale Stadler of Lake City, FL, Charles W. "Bill" Stadler II of Murfreesboro, TN, Mona C. Stadler of Burlington, Elizabeth Lane Gary Caruso of California, Martin Dwayne "Marty" Pam Stadler of Burlington and Bradley Shane Tori Stadler of Burlington; nine great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; three brothers, Charlie Neely, George Neely and Jake Neely; and three sisters, Nancy Pitts, Hallie Kirkpatrick and Sarah Powell. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 PM Monday, October 27, 2014 at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel by Rev. Bud Budzinski. Interment will follow in Alamance Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 4-6 Sunday afternoon and at other times at the home of Bud and Doris Stadler, 2136 Westover Terrace, Burlington. Memorials may be made to Faith United Methodist Church, 1732 W. Davis St. Burlington, NC 27215 and/or to Allied Churches of Alamance County, PO Box 2581 Burlington, NC 27216-2581 You may sign the online register book at www.lowefuneralhome.com.