Stabler, Stanley P.

29 Apr Stabler, Stanley P.

Mr. Stanley Phillips Stabler, 91, of Brookeville, died Thursday, April 15, at Friends Nursing Home, Sandy Spring.

Twice married, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Gladys Drew Hawkins Stabler, in 1974. He is survived by his second wife, Jane L.S. Stabler, whom he married September 1977.

Born April 22, 1907, on a farm near Spencerville in Montgomery County, he was a son of Mary Hallowell and Newton Stabler.

Mr. Stabler was educated at Sherwood Elementary and Sherwood High School and graduated in 1925. He completed his freshman year at Cornell University and graduated from the University of Maryland, College of Agriculture, in 1929.

After graduation he began farming on the family farm, Sunnyside, in partnership with his brother, Osborne Stabler.

In June 1937, he accepted a position as farm superintendent at University of Maryland Experiment Station. In October 1948, he transferred to University of Maryland Extension Service where he served as state extension agronomist for five years. He resigned from University of Maryland and then devoted his time to banking and farming.

With his sons, W. Drew and Robert N. Stabler, he developed Pleasant Valley Farm, which has become one of the largest farm operations in Montgomery County.

He was active in many organizations and served as director of Sandy Spring National Bank from 1937 to 1978. He was a longtime director of Southern States Cooperative and Sandy Spring Friends Retirement Home, and also served on the board of Montgomery General Hospital in Olney.

He was a member of Sandy Spring Lions Club, Home Interest and Interprise Farmer Club, and a longtime master of Goshen Hounds. He was active for many years with Montgomery Agriculture Center and Old Timers of the Montgomery County Fair. He was a birthright member of Sandy Spring Friends Meeting.

Surviving in addition to his wife are two sons, W. Drew Stabler and wife Patsy Messer of Laytonsville, and Robert N. Stabler and wife Betsy Adams of Brookeville; two stepsons, John L. Sidell and wife Edna May of Great Falls, Va., and James R. Sidell and wife Brenda of Sandy Spring; five grandchildren, Stacy M. Stabler of Baltimore, Tricia S. Holland of Indiana, Robin S. Lechlider and Randall A. Stabler, both of Laytonsville, and Pamela S. Velsiek of Woodfield; four stepgrandchildren, Steven R. Sidell of Salisbury, Carla A. Farnesworth of Laurel, and Lane S. Everhart and Laurel J. Sidell, both of Virginia; two sisters, Caroline S. Elliott of Sandy Spring, and Sylvia S. Wilson of Upper Montclair, N.J.; and six great-grandchildren.

Mr. Stabler was preceded in death by two brothers, Osborne N. and Elgar H. Stabler.