Reverend J. Elliott Stabler

Reverend J. Elliott Stabler, 87, faithfully finished his earthly race on Friday, December 20, 2024, and is now in the presence of Jesus Christ his Savior. Elliott was a resident at Wesbury United Methodist Retirement Community in Meadville, Pennsylvania.

Elliott was born on May 1, 1937, to Dale and Myra (Dozier) Stabler in Detroit, Michigan. The Stabler family later moved to Florida, and Elliott graduated from Sarasota High School in Sarasota, Florida.

On May 11, 1968, Elliott married the former Elaine Banker. She survives. The two traveled and served together in various communities and churches throughout their marriage.

Elliott earned a Bachelor of Arts from Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky, a Master of Arts from the George Peabody College for Teachers (now Vanderbilt University) in Nashville, Tennessee, and a Divinity degree from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Saint Davids, Pennsylvania.

Elliott taught for several years in San Diego and Philadelphia before being ordained in the American Baptist Conference and serving as a pastor for most of his working life. Rev. Stabler pastored congregations in Pennsylvania (Wyoming, Pittston, Titusville, and Linesville) and West Virginia (St. Mary’s), and served in a variety of advisory roles in churches and ministries. After retirement, he ministered to fellow-residents and staff at Wesbury and helped lead Bible studies for the residents when called upon to do so. He was always willing to pray with anyone he could help.

In his spare time, Elliott enjoyed trivia, classical music, Animal Channel documentaries, the nightly news, bow ties, traveling, reading, Rummy, Yahtzee, Scrabble, computer solitaire, singing, telling stories, spending time with family, and telling people of the hope and forgiveness offered through salvation in Jesus Christ.

In addition to his wife of 56 years, Elliott is survived by his daughter Elizabeth (Glen) Van Cise, his grandsons Jonathan (Kyra) and Jay (Maria) Van Cise, and his granddaughter Julia (Taylor) Coblentz, and two great-grandchildren and a third on the way. Elliott is also survived by two sisters-in-law Barbara (Willard Conroe) Royea and Faye Banker, and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Elliott was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law Dale and Betty Stabler, and a brother-in-law Richard Banker.

A Celebration of Life will be conducted by Pastor Sam Marchetta on Monday, December 23, 2024, at 10:00 A.M. at the Barco Chapel, Wesbury United Methodist Retirement Community, 31 Park Avenue, Meadville. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wesbury Foundation’s Benevolent Care Fund, 31 Park Avenue, Meadville, Pennsylvania 16335.

Arrangements are in the care of Ryan M. Warren Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 33353 North Main Street, Townville. Please take a moment to share a memory or condolences on Elliott’s Book of Memories online at www.WarrenFH.com.