STAEHLIN, Alfred Carl

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona - 09/03/2004 Alfred Carl Staehlin, age 83, died Saturday Aug. 28, 2004 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was born April 28, 1922 in Albuquerque, Bernalillo, New Mexico to August Robert Staehlin and Bertha Madalyn Raymond Staehlin. He grew up in Albuquerque and graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1941. He was a Sergeant in the Army Air Force in World War II from 1942 to 1945. While in the service he was stationed in the Artic, Baffin Islands and was a radio mechanic, which sent out directional radio codes for the planes flying from Greenland to England. He enjoyed his service very much and looked upon it as a very interesting experience; even though he was in a war he looked at everything on a positive side. Later he was also stationed in Ireland, Norway, France and Germany. Al attended the University of New Mexico for one and a half years. Al's grandfather came from St. Louis to work on the new courthouse and was the first plumber in Albuquerque. His grandfather liked the area so well that he moved to Albuquerque and raised his family there. He opened up the first plumbing shop called Albuquerque Plumbing, which remained in the family until just a few years ago. Al was very proud of his family's plumbing background in Albuquerque. Al was a plumbing and gas inspector for the State of New Mexico for 15 years. He also worked as a plumbing and heating supervisor for the University of New Mexico for 15 years and was an Instructor for the Plumbing and Gas Joint Apprentice Committee, Local Union 412 for 25 years. He enjoyed his teaching job the most. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is survived by his wife, Dorthella Merrill Staehlin; two sons, David (Debbie) Staehlin of Friday Harbor, Washington and Alan Staehlin of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and six step-children, Crest (LaRee) Merrill, Melanie (Darrell) Wycloff, Rocky (Karen) Merrill, Tyla Merrill, Marsha (Lenard) Johnson, Marla Merrill McCue all of Arizona; and his sister, Marlene (David) Mathis of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He has 17 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Raymond, Gene and Billie Jack and his step-son Ike Merrill. Funeral services will be held at Amity Ward Chapel, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on School Bus Road in Eagar, Thursday the 2nd of Sept. at 11 a.m. with a visitation one hour prior to services at the church and from 6-8 p.m. Friday Sept. 1 at Owens Mortuary in Eagar. Burial will be in the Eagar Cemetery. To send private condolences or to sign an online guest book visit website at www.owensmortuary.com