Jean F. Stahl, 88, of The Villages, Florida, passed away on December 10, 2025. Born on November 10, 1937, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late George F. Levy and Ruth E. (Storey) Levy. A devout Catholic, Jean was dedicated to her faith. She volunteered with her church and shared her beautiful voice both at home and as a member of the Church choir. An exceptionally strong woman,
Jean embraced what is often considered the hardest job in the military: that of a Navy wife and mother. While her husband, David J. Stahl, Sr., USN (ret.), patriotically served his country at sea, Jean lovingly raised their four children. She created warm and welcoming homes across the country, raising her family in Pennsylvania, Georgia, and California.
Jean was a woman of many talents and passions. In her younger years she developed a deep love for movies, music, and dancing, and fondly recalled serving as an usherette in her local theatre. As a mother, she introduced her children to the joys of gardening, crafting, and cooking, and ensured the house was filled with the fun of playing games.
Throughout her life she nurtured a creative spirit through writing poetry. As her children grew, Jean continued to explore new interests. While living in Maryland, she developed a passion for genealogy. Later, while residing in New Jersey, she and David delighted in hosting family reunions, eventually retiring to The Villages, Florida.
To Jean, family was the most important thing in the world. Her loved ones cherish memories of gathering to relax with her over a big bowl of ice cream, watching a mystery movie, and sharing laughter over an inevitable funny joke or pun. Despite her children living up and down the East Coast, Jean remained intimately connected to their daily lives, sharing a “Team Wordle” group chat where they solved daily puzzles together.
Jean is survived by her four children: daughter Michelle E. (Stahl) Santillo and husband Ronald A. Santillo; son David J. Stahl, Jr. and wife Kathleen A. (Kenealy) Stahl; daughter Jeanine M. (Stahl) Miller and husband Frederick T. Miller; and son Matthew G. Stahl and wife Maureen L. (Curtin) Stahl. She also leaves behind a legacy of 7 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, as well as her sister, Georgianna F. (Levy) Mihalcik.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, David J. Stahl, Sr.; her parents, George and Ruth Levy; and her sister, Elizabeth A. (Levy) Evans. Service Information:
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 6, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, located at 3975 Wedgewood Lane, The Villages, FL 32162.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 7, at 8:30 a.m. at St. Timothy Catholic Church, located at 1351 Paige Place, Lady Lake, FL 321