Kenneth David 'Dave' Stohler, of Markleville, Indiana, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 17 at the St. Vincent Seton Specialty Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana after battling medical issues.

He was born on June 2, 1943 at the family home in Markleville and resided all his life in Markleville. He attended Markleville schools, where he participated in baseball, track, and basketball. He graduated in 1961.

After graduation, he went to work at Delco Remy Division of General Motors. While at Delco, he started as an hourly employee, then was a salaried supervisor in Plant 7 and Plant 20. After 24 years as a supervisor, he returned to an hourly employee and retired on January 1, 1997.

On February 22, 1963, he married his high school sweetheart, Sheralyn (Pate) Stohler. They were married 53 years, building their home in Markleville, where they continued to live until his death.

They were blessed with two sons, Thad and Trent. During this time, he coached Little League baseball and basketball. For many years, he was an IHSAA official around central Indiana. As the boys got older, he attended all their sporting events. He also loved to support his grandson Riley’s sporting events from preschool into college.

Mr. Stohler was an avid sports fan, having attended the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, as well as the 1987 and 2001 NCAA Final Four to watch his beloved Indiana Hoosiers. He also attended numerous Indiana Pacers, Cincinnati Red, and Indianapolis Colts games.

In 1946, his father, Leo Stohler, built race cars for the Little 500. This is when he developed his love of racing. He started attending numerous auto racing events across the country.

After the death of his father, his love of racing changed to horses. Following his father-in-law, Sam Pate, into the Standardbred industry, Mr. Stohler became a member of the United States Trotting Association in 1979. It was a trip to the county fair in Connersville, Indiana, where he and his brother, Merrill, became horse owners. They purchased Range Pat and Red Wing Ranger from veteran horseman Ralph Wilfong.

While working full time at his regular job, Mr. Stohler trained and raced horses on the side. Training horses also led to him and his family deciding to breed some of their own stock. The Stohlers saw something special in their third horse purchase, who also became their foundation mare, Hasty Grand Slam. Although from a humble pedigree and performance on the track, she produced the winners of $1,420,905.

One of the mare’s early foals was former world record holder Smartdecision (p,1:53.3; $216,475). However, her best performer was the mare Extreme Velocity, referred to by the Stohler’s as 'EV,' who won the 1997 Breeders Crown for Aged Mare Pacers in 1:50.3 at The Meadowlands with Hall of Fame driver John Campbell aboard. Over the course of her racing career, Extreme Velocity made 79 starts, resulting in 40 wins, 10 seconds, and 14 thirds, with lifetime earnings totalling $856,070.

Extreme Velocity also proved to be a successful broodmare for the Stohler family, with her offspring earning $1,204,631 to date. Among her foals are Continual Velocity p,3,1:54; 4,1:50.2f ($558,980) and the ill-fated Ultimate Velocity p,3,1:53; 4,1:51.1 ($254,373).

For Mr. Stohler, the best thing about the Standardbred industry was the fact it is so family-oriented. He was able to share his passion for harness racing with his family and friends. His son, Trent, is an active trainer based in Indiana, who has driven the winners of $6,353,290 and trained the winners of $7,439,202. Helping at his son’s training center and watching his horses compete on the racetrack filled Mr. Stohler’s life with much joy and satisfaction, as he was proud of his achievements.

Mr. Stohler is survived by his loving spouse, Sheralyn (Pate) Stohler of Markleville; sons, Thad of Terre Haute, Indiana, Trent of Markleville; grandson, Riley Stohler; sister, Virginia (Stohler) Bronnenberg; brother, Merrill (Sharon) Stohler; sister-in-law, Mary Jo Stohler; brother-in-law, Gary Pate; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Agnes and Leo Stohler; brothers, Marvin, Herbert, Bud; and sister-in-law, Marie Stohler.

The family would like to give a “Special Thank You” to the friends and relatives helping care for Mr. Stohler during this difficult time.

Visitation will be held Monday, Nov. 21 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Loose Funeral Homes & Crematory, 200 West 53rd St., Anderson, Indiana. Services will be Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home, with Rev. Ned Clark officiating. Burial will take place in Mechanicsburg Cemetery, Mechanicsburg, Indiana.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Harness Horse Youth Foundation, 16575 Carey Road, Westfield, IN 46074, or New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, 3293 Wright Road, Laura, OH 45337.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Dave Stohler.

(Hoosier Hoofprints)