VETERAN
Thought I’d return to documenting another veteran at the Rossville Cemetery this week. Some of you may remember I wrote about Jerry Sweet, who perished in Vietnam in the service of our country. His final resting place is next to the final resting place of his maternal grandfather, Otto W. Stahl, who served in our Navy during World War I. So, let’s give Otto his due respect!
Otto was born on August 25th, 1886, in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, to Herman Stahl and Augusta Lampe. Herman and Augusta were both born in Germany.
Otto Stahl enlisted in the Navy on September 2nd, 1916, serving as an Engineman 1st Class. This job included the lubrication, maintenance, and repair of mechanical components of the ships. Having proudly served his country, he was discharged on September 24th, 1920.
Otto married Maria Anna Donnes on November 3rd, 1915, the year before enlisting. Her grave marker is next to his bronze military marker. She departed us on July 28th, 1959, in Chatham, NY, and was buried in the Rossville Cemetery. Otto continued his worldly journey until he left us on January 31st, 1967.
Otto’s daughter, Adrienne, applied for a proper bronze military marker for her father’s final resting place in February 1967, the month following her father’s passing. The marker was shipped here and received by Thomas Dawes for placement next to Maria’s gravesite.
Remember, Adrienne Stahl Sweet was Jerry Sweet’s mother. With Jerry’s sacrifice in Vietnam and untimely passing, he was laid to rest next to his grandparents in Rossville, a little over a year after Otto Stahl’s internment.
Grandfather and Grandson, both proud veterans now lay side by side for eternity. Some of Jerry’s close friends reset both these bronze markers and tidied everything up years later and still visit to pay their respects from time to time. Jerry and Otto, thank you for your service.
Rossville Church & Cemetery Association 