Herbert Frederic Stahlke , age 82 of Elwood, passed away and joined the Church Triumphant on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024 at Morrison Woods Care Center in Muncie.  He was born on March 20, 1942 in Monroe, Michigan, the son of Rev. Otto F. and Esther Wilhelmina Anna (Meyer) Stahlke.  After graduating from Concordia Senior College in Ft. Wayne, Herb joined the Peace Corps and later was a Bible translator for Lutheran Bible Translators in Nigeria, Africa.  Herb married Paulette E. Seibold on Dec. 14, 1968, and they recently celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary.  He earned his Master's Degree and Ph.D. from U.C.L.A. and taught linguistics at the University of Illinois, Georgia State University, and finally Ball State University, where he was awarded the Outstanding Faculty Member Award for the 2005-2006 academic year and retired as Professor Emeritus after 26 years.  At Ball State, Herb was the Director of Graduate Programs in English.  Teaching English as a second language was his passion, and he enjoyed teaching international students from a variety of countries.

Herb was an avid reader, played the oboe and piano, and enjoyed singing in various choirs.  He served the Elwood community by being a mentor in the Madison County Literacy Coalition.  Herb was a former member of St. John Lutheran church in Elwood where he served as the choir director for many years.  Currently, he was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Kokomo and enjoyed singing in the church choir.  Herb was especially loved by the couple's 7-year old Great Dane, Greta.

Herb's family includes his wife, Rev. Paulette Stahlke of Elwood; 3 children, Aaron Stahlke (life partner Tasha Williams) of Indianapolis, Nathan Stahlke (life partner Javier Rodriuez) of Omaha, NE, and Rachel Stahlke (life partner Alan Bever) of Muncie; 2 siblings, Lester (Judith) Stahlke of Alberta, Canada and Ellen (Paul) Surburg of Bloomington; brother-in-law, Gergory Seibold of Perrysburg, OH; and beloved great dane, "Greta".  Herb was preceded in death by both his parents and 3 siblings, Rudolph, John, and Magdaline.

A memorial service celebrating Herb's life and faith will be conducted at 11:00 am on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025 at Christ Lutheran Church (3401 South Dixon Road, Kokomo, Indiana 46902) with Rev. Michael Crawford officiating.  Visitation for family and friends will be held from 9 to 11 am prior to the memorial service on Jan. 18, 2025 at the church.  Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the "Music at Christ" concert series at Christ Lutheran Church in Kokomo.  Online condolences and memories may be shared at copherfeslermay.com.