Merlin ‘Ed’ Stambaugh

Merlin “Ed” Stambaugh  was born April 3, 1953, in Rushville, Ill., the son of Merlin and Louesia Stambaugh. He was raised on the family farm in Brown County, Illinois and educated at Brown County High School. There he met Kathy Garwood, the love of his life.

Ed and Kathy were united in marriage April 14, 1973, at LaGrange Chapel in Versailles, Ill. They made their home in rural Brown County before moving to Glenburn, N.D., where they raised their three girls.

Ed was a skilled carpenter who could build and fix anything. He was an asset at Mattson Construction Company for over 30 years and retired in 2015. Ed enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping with friends and family.

In retirement, Ed and Kathy moved to Custer, S.D., where they enjoyed touring the Black Hills on Ed’s 2012 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Limited.

Ed died Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020 in his home in Custer. He was 67.

He was preceded in death by his parents. 

Ed’s loving family includes his wife of 47 years, Kathy Stambaugh of  Custer; three siblings, Alice (Ralph) Dolezal of San Pierre, Ind., Norma Bereuter of Paradise, Texas, and Darrell (Chris) Stambaugh of Glenburn, N.D; three children,  Christine (Alan) Bettis, Roodhouse of Ill., Katherine Roberts of Seattle, Wash., and Betty (Jeff) Pospisil of Mitchell, S.D.; eight grandchildren, Zoey, Halie, Zachary, Lexi, Liam, Ella, Alyvia and Gus; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

At Ed’s request, there will not be a service or visitation.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Custer.