Betty J. Stahl

July 04, 2023, Betty June Stahl (nee Kelly), 86, of Fairway, KS, passed away peacefully in her bed at the home she shared with her niece, Kimberly K. Kelly. Early that morning, her sparkler faded and she went peacefully in to the arms of her Lord, Jesus.

Betty was born on April 4, 1937, to Louie Guy Kelly and Frances Bernadine Kelly (nee Short) in Kansas City, Missouri. After graduating from Southeast High School in 1955, Betty attended a school for Secretarial studies. She went on to work as a secretary for the Kansas City, City Council office as well as the Kansas City Police Officer’s Benefit Association where she met her beloved husband, Captain Paul Cleo Stahl.

Before her marriage to Paul on June 29th, 1968, Betty enjoyed traveling with her friend Perky. They visited many exciting places across the pond such as Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Monaco, France, England, Holland and Africa. She also made a trip to Japan to meet her pen pal from the 5th grade, Midori Miiko.  The two of them continued writing letters and exchanging gifts for more than 70 years until she received a letter from Japan that Miiko had passed away in 2018.

Betty met Paul while working for the KCPBOA. They were responsible for bringing the “Police Circus” to town each year and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the KCPBOA. After Paul’s retirement they enjoyed spending time with their very large family at their home at 39th & Bell, KCMO. Their Derby Day parties and Bow People parties every year were a must attend event for everyone.  They were also extremely active in their church, River City Christian Church. After Paul’s death in 1991, Betty went to work for DeMarche Associates as a file clerk where she made many long-term friends.  After her retirement she enjoyed weekly outings with her friends to the movies, theatre and especially the Zoo. Betty had a great love of animals. Over her lifetime she had dogs, birds and cared for multiple ferel cats. Buster (the Blue Jay), Perry, Tippy and Winston Rutherford being her most beloved fur babies.  She made donations to almost every animal charity that exists.

Betty’s Christian faith and personal relationship with Jesus was very important to her. She lived her whole life walking the path of Jesus. When she became home bound and unable to attend church, her prayer partners would call and they would pray and sings songs together every Sunday.

Family Who Went Before

Betty was predeceased by father Louie Guy Kelly, who died August, 1978, mother Frances Bernadine (Short) Kelly, who died December, 1969, husband Paul Cleo Stahl, who died December, 1991, stepson Tom Stahl who died in 1996, stepdaughter Barbara Bender (Stahl) who died July, 2005, stepson Paul Robert Stahl who died May, 2013, uncle David Russell Trimmer who died June, 1990, aunt Thelma (Kelly) Trimmer who died December, 1993, cousin Bonnie June (Trimmer) Erickson who died April, 2021, and niece Gari Storm Kelly who died May 16th, 2023,

Family She Left Behind

She is survived by her brother Richard Lee Kelly (Carole), stepdaughter Paula (Stahl) Sheridon, niece Kimberly K. Kelly, nephew Donald A. Kelly (Jackie), niece Gina K. (Kelly) Beverlin (James) and niece Georgene S. Kelly. Betty also leaves behind numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren thru her stepchildren as well as grand and great nieces and nephews from her brother.

Betty’s funeral will be held on July 29, 2023 at 1p.m. at Park Lawn Funeral Home, located at 8251 Hillcrest Road, Kansas City, MO 64138 followed by a brief gravesite interment ceremony at Memorial Park Cemetery.

There will be a Celebration of Life following the service at Red Door Grill in Brookside, 6324 Brookside Plaza, Kansas City, MO 64113 from 3 p.m.-5 p.m. Please RSVP to Kim Kelly either by phone 913-206-8659 or email at kim@advancedcommercialcleaning.com if you are planning on attending the Celebration of life.

In lieu of flowers, Betty requested that donations be made in her name to the SPCA, KC Pet Project, Wounded Warriors Foundation or Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Her address was; Betty J Stahl, 6042 Alhambra, Fairway KS 66205