Philip Stahl
Longtime Denver resident and US Army veteran Philip Stahl passed away on May 7, 2025. He was 94. A service was held on May 19 at Feldman Mortuary Chapel, followed by interment at Rose Hill Cemetery, officiated by Rabbi Barry Gelman. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
Born in Dallas on July 14, 1930, Mr. Stahl moved to Denver with his family when he was 12. He graduated from West High School and joined the US Army. He was stationed in Japan and achieved the rank of corporal.
Mr. Stahl married “Sugie” Sugarman in 1955; they divorced in 1979. A successful businessman, he started Factory Outlet Stores in 1964.
“Phil had many close friends who adored him,” his family said. “The loves of his life were his family, and the addition of his three great-grandchildren brought him immense joy.”
Survivors are daughter Marcie (Philip) Munishor; siblings Stanley (Yvonne) Stahl and Alice (Sherwin) Littman; grandchildren Hava Munishor and Yael (Netanel) Weinstein; great-grandchildren Leora, Leba and Zev Weinstein; and nieces and nephews. He is also mourned by Ruth Epstein.
Contributions may be made to Leket, Friends of the IDF or The Denver Kehillah.
Jan Kassel
Longtime teacher Jan Kassel passed away on June 16, 2025. She was 79. Funeral arrangements are pending; a remembrance celebration will be planned for Denver, with a graveside service to be held at Temple Israel Cemetery in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY. Feldman Mortuary is handling the arrangements.
A native of Otsego, NY, and born on May 10, 1946, Ms. Kassel earned an associate of arts degree from Vermont College, then a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education with a certificate in special education and a minor in speech communications from DU. She also received master’s degrees from The College of New Rochelle and UNC.
Ms. Kassel spent 20 years teaching in Aurora Public Schools. She worked at Crawford Elementary School in what is now called Exceptional Student Services (ESS), and spent the last half of her career teaching English as a second language (ESL) at Central High School.
In her words, “It was more than a career, it was a calling.”
Ms. Kassel retired in 2005. She was an avid skier, and enjoyed spending time in Lake George, NY and at her second home in Leadville.
“She was a great friend — beautiful, kind and generous,” her friends said. “This is illustrated by her legacy, which included a gift from her estate to five of her “favorite students.”
Survivors are Mark Rubinelli; cousins Don Crane, Steve Crane, Ellen Crane, Meredith Weinstein, Stacey Scarpa, Mike Glass and John Kassel.
Contributions may be made to the Staenberg-Loup JCC.
Richard Weiner
Denver native Richard “Dick” Weiner died on June 14, 2025, at the age of 85. A service was held at Beth Jacob Congregation in Beverly Hills, Calif., officiated by Rabbi Kal-man Topp.
Mr. Weiner grew up on Denver’s West Side, attending Colfax Elementary, North High School and DU. He left Denver at age 22 to attend University of Southern California Law School.
Becoming an active member of the Los Angeles Jewish community, Mr. Weiner served on the boards of Beth Jacob Congregation and of JFS. He was also a member of the choir at Beth Jacob.
“His beautiful bass voice elevated services on Shabbat and holidays,” his family said.
“Making use of his talents, he served as a leading advocate on behalf of many public causes and campaigns, and helped improve the lives of many in his neighborhood.”
“Dick maintained a lifelong love for the Denver Jewish community,” his family said.
Mr. Weiner was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Linda Weiner, who passed away in January, 2025.
Survivors are sister Sheila Weiner, children Penina (Tommy) Weinberger and Elon (Bryn) Schoenholz; grandchildren Ariela (Jordan) Steinberg, Avigail (Jonathan) Bryn; Naomi (Jakob) Deutsch, Nusia Schoenholz and Ivan Schoenholz; and five great-grandchildren.
© IJN 2025
