Doris Nettleman Stifel

Doris Nettleman Stifel died on May 2, 2013 at Swan Creek Care Center. She was born at Toledo Hospital on February 24, 1924. Doris graduated in 1941 from Scott High School and The University of Toledo in 1945 with magna cum laude degrees from each. Upon graduation, she taught premedical courses at the University. She was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi, both honorary societies. She was a registered medical and x-ray technician and helped several doctors stet up x-ray laboratories in their offices. In 1960, she married Dr. John L. Stifel who had two grown sons by a previous marriage but had lost his wife. As a nature lover, Doris became interested in Monarch butterflies as no one knew what happened to them during the winter – they just disappeared. Other butterflies stayed in one of their developmental stages. With Doris’ help they learned that the Monarch butterflies migrated all the way to Mexico in the fall and their offspring came back in the spring and early summer. Due to her extensive work in this field, Doris became known as the Butterfly lady of Ohio. When she became older and was unable to do the field work, she devoted her time to giving Monarch programs in this part of the country and to teaching people how to tag Monarchs so that more could be learned about their migration. During her lifetime, she also loved to travel visiting all the continents and both poles. In retirement Doris moved to Swan Creek Retirement Center where she stayed until her death. She is survived by her brother, William E. Nettleman, M.D., several nieces and nephews and many friends. Besides her parents, Mr. & Mrs. Donald E. Nettleman, Sr., her brother, Donald E. Nettleman, Jr. and John Stifel, M.D. preceded her in death. Services will be at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd., Toledo on Saturday, May 4. The family will receive friends from 1:00-3:00 p.m., with a funeral ceremony to follow. Interment will be private at Woodlawn cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to The Butterfly House, 11455 Obee Road, Whitehouse, Ohio 43571, or Swan Creek Retirement Village, 5916 Cresthaven Lane, Toledo, Ohio 43614. Please view and sign our online registry at CoyleFuneralHome.com.

Doris Nettleman Stifel

February 24, 1924 - May 2, 2013