Leonard "Lenny" Stadler

Reidsville – Dr. Leonard “Lenny” E. Stadler, Jr., 60, of 104 McCollum Drive, went home to be with the Lord after his hard fought battle with cancer on Monday morning, October 22, 2012 at the Hospice Home of Rockingham County. Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Friday, October 26, 2012 at Woodmont United Methodist Church with Dr. Gary Royals,Dr. John Love, Rev. John Grenfell, Dr. Lee Dukes, Rev. Chris Thore and Rev. Morris Brown officiating. The family will have a private burial and committal prior to the service. Lenny was a native of Rockingham County and the son of the late, Leonard Stadler, Sr. and his wife, Dorothy Bullock Stadler. Prior to his Christian conversion, Lenny was playing with a nationally known southern rock band called, "Blackfoot." His ambition left him spiritually empty, restless and hopeless. "From Hard Rock to Solid Rock", which was published and released in the fall of 2002, is the compelling story of God's transforming grace from rock musician to United Methodist minister. He received his Bachelor of Arts in “Religion” from Elon College, 1977, his Master of Divinity from Duke University, 1980 and his Doctor of Ministry in “Spiritual Formation” from Asbury Theological Seminary, 1987. Dr. Stadler was the 1995 clergy recipient of the Denman Evangelism Award in the Western NC Annual Conference. On May 15, 2002, Dr. Stadler was invited to deliver the opening prayer for the US Congress in Washington, D.C. He spent the majority of his ministry career serving as pastor of Weddington United Methodist Church. During his tenure there, the average attendance grew from 120 to over 1200 each week. He was also responsible for several renovations, built a new traditional sanctuary, a youth center and a family life center. Lenny was also active in Good News Renewal for UMC, he supported Missions Society for United Methodists, Confessing Movement, and was a member of the United States Evangelists. Also during his ministry Dr. Stadler preached over 250 revivals and camp meetings and published four books, including his spiritual biography and compelling testimony, “From Hard Rock to Solid Rock”. His significant appointments and accomplishments include; Ordination Elder, Western, NC Annual Conference, 1982, Delegate to Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference, 1992, 1996, 2000, Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, Western NC Conference, 1992-1996, Chairperson of District Board of Ordained Ministry, Albemarle District. While traveling with the Sammy Hall Singers, Lenny met Shana Morell in Dallas, TX and was married in 1976. Along with his wife, Shana, Lenny is survived by his children, Shalen Morell Stadler of Reidsville and LenPaul Stadler of Greensboro, NC. He is also survived by his mother, Dorothy Bullock Stadler of Reidsville; his sister, Judy Stadler of Lewisville, NC; his mother-in-law, Ann R. Morell of Highlands Ranch, CO; his sisters-in-law, Paula Sarmast and husband, Cyrus of Highlands Ranch, CO and Dr. Patty Bilhartz and husband, Dr. Terry Bilhartz of Huntsville, TX and a large extended family. Later in his ministry, Lenny started having anxiety attacks and experienced serious burnout in ministry. After being clean from alcoholism for over 26 years, he had another struggle with his addiction to alcohol. Fellowship Hall Rehab and Dr. Lee Dukes helped Lenny put his life back together. Even in the difficulties of his last years and until the very end, he wanted his victory in Jesus to be discovered by all. Lenny was preceded in death by his father, Leonard E. Stadler, Sr. and his father-in-law, Dr. Paul Morell. The family will receive friends 6:00 – 8:00 PM Thursday, October 25 at Wilkerson Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Morell School, C/O Bridges International, PO Box 3795, Broken Arrow, OK 74013.