IRVIN L. STADEL, 85 ELIZABETH - Irvin L. Stadel was a pillar of the community and always put the needs of others ahead of his own. At the age 85, Irvin reunited with his wife, Dorothy, in Heaven on Saturday, February 22, 2014 at Midwest Medical Center, Galena, Illinois. Irvin was born on June 24, 1928, the son of Percy and Bertha (Holland) Stadel in Elizabeth, Illinois. He graduated from Elizabeth High School with the Class of 1946. Irvin proudly served his country in the United States Army at the end of World War II and during the Korean War. Irvin married Dorothy Wickler on September 4, 1950, in Elizabeth. They celebrated sixty-three years of marriage. Dorothy died on October 30, 2013 in Elizabeth. After he was discharged, Irvin worked as an Insurance Agent for Country Companies for thirty-nine years, before retiring in 1991. Throughout his life, Irvin was actively involved in his community. Irvin served as Mayor of Elizabeth for four years, was a past member of the Elizabeth City Council for thirty-two years and was a charter member of the Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce. He also served on the Elizabeth Township Trustee Board, was Treasurer and board member of Apple River Fort Historic Foundation and past board member of Jo Daviess County Convention and Visitor's Bureau. Irvin was a member of the Methodist faith, but enjoyed attending Church of St. Mary with his wife, Dorothy. Most of all, Irvin enjoyed fishing and treasured spending time with his friends and family, especially his grandchildren. Irvin will be dearly missed by one son, Jeffrey (Connie) Stadel of Lena, Illinois; daughter, Marcia Havens of Elizabeth; five grandchildren, Emily Stadel, Erica (Josh) Kraft, Adam (Sarah) Stadel, Kelli (Dean) Vielhuber and Cole (Katie) Havens; three great-grandchildren, Anicka and Kasen Kraft and Piper Havens; one brother and sister-in-law, Allen (Joyce) Wickler of Stockton, Illinois. Irvin is preceded in death by both parents; his wife, Dorothy; and one brother-in-law and sister in-law, Austin and Gloria Stadel. A funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at First United Methodist Church in Elizabeth, Illinois with the Reverend Kyungsu Park officiating. Burial with Military Rites will take place in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Elizabeth. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at Law-Jones Funeral Home, Elizabeth. Memorials may be given to the Apple River Fort, Elizabeth or the First United Methodist Church, Elizabeth in Irvin's memory. Friends and family are invited to share with Irvin's life at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.