South Bend Tribune, Sunday, July 22, 2012 Page C8
John Wade Stafford passed away June 1, 2012 in Waynesville, NC. He was born January 5, 1932 in Mishawaka, IN to parents Ora and Ida Stafford. He is survived by sisters, Louise Praklet, Marie DeWitte, and Wanda (George) Hayden; children, Mark (Terri) Stafford, Julie (Bill) Steward, and Jane (Bob) Gillespie; and grandchildren, Christopher, Ryan, Matthew, Evan, Jacob, and Amber. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 54 years, Dorthy Louise (Smeltzer), originally from Wakarusa, In.
Through a relentless pursuit of excellence, and by God's grace, John achieved the American Dream. He was a member of the 1948 Mishawaka High School State Championship cross country team. He served proudly in the Navy aboard the USS Essex aircraft carrier during the Korean conflict. He became the first person from "his side of the tracks" to graduate from college. Having found his calling as an educator, he completed 2 Masters degrees, culminating with the achievement of a Ph.D in Geography in 1972. He taught Geography at the Univ. of S. Florida for 25 years, where he was known for his meticulous class preparation, and love for students (except those who cut class)! He was a lifelong fisherman and loved to travel, although nothing gave him more joy then entertaining family and friends at his NC home. He loved to play cards and was fond of discussing " political issues of the day" with anyone willing to spar with him. He had a passion for life, and pursued all tasks with enthusiasm. He was a loyal and loving friend, father, and husband, who would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.
Most of all, we will remember him for 54 years of love, marriage, and commitment to his wife, "Miss Dottie". Their marriage was living proof that, "they are no more two, but one flesh". His love and care for her, "in sickness and in health", was an inspiration to all who knew them. Although we mourn John's loss here on earth, we rejoice in the fact that he is once again reunited with "Miss Dottie" and our Father in heaven!
A memorial Service is 2:00 p.m., August 5, 2012 at Community U.M.C., Fruitland Park, FL. Interment with military honors will be 9:00 AM, August 6, 2012, at FL National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL. Dorthy Louise Stafford
Memorial Scholarship", providing aid to nursing students at Lake Sumter Community College, LSCC Foundation, 9501 US Highway 441, Leesburg, FL, 34788.
John Wade Stafford passed away June 1, 2012 in Waynesville, NC. He was born January 5, 1932 in Mishawaka, IN to parents Ora and Ida Stafford. He is survived by sisters, Louise Praklet, Marie DeWitte, and Wanda (George) Hayden; children, Mark (Terri) Stafford, Julie (Bill) Steward, and Jane (Bob) Gillespie; and grandchildren, Christopher, Ryan, Matthew, Evan, Jacob, and Amber. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 54 years, Dorthy Louise (Smeltzer), originally from Wakarusa, In.
Through a relentless pursuit of excellence, and by God's grace, John achieved the American Dream. He was a member of the 1948 Mishawaka High School State Championship cross country team. He served proudly in the Navy aboard the USS Essex aircraft carrier during the Korean conflict. He became the first person from "his side of the tracks" to graduate from college. Having found his calling as an educator, he completed 2 Masters degrees, culminating with the achievement of a Ph.D in Geography in 1972. He taught Geography at the Univ. of S. Florida for 25 years, where he was known for his meticulous class preparation, and love for students (except those who cut class)! He was a lifelong fisherman and loved to travel, although nothing gave him more joy then entertaining family and friends at his NC home. He loved to play cards and was fond of discussing " political issues of the day" with anyone willing to spar with him. He had a passion for life, and pursued all tasks with enthusiasm. He was a loyal and loving friend, father, and husband, who would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.
Most of all, we will remember him for 54 years of love, marriage, and commitment to his wife, "Miss Dottie". Their marriage was living proof that, "they are no more two, but one flesh". His love and care for her, "in sickness and in health", was an inspiration to all who knew them. Although we mourn John's loss here on earth, we rejoice in the fact that he is once again reunited with "Miss Dottie" and our Father in heaven!
A memorial Service is 2:00 p.m., August 5, 2012 at Community U.M.C., Fruitland Park, FL. Interment with military honors will be 9:00 AM, August 6, 2012, at FL National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL. Dorthy Louise Stafford
Memorial Scholarship", providing aid to nursing students at Lake Sumter Community College, LSCC Foundation, 9501 US Highway 441, Leesburg, FL, 34788.
South Bend Tribune, Sunday, July 22, 2012 Page C8
John Wade Stafford passed away June 1, 2012 in Waynesville, NC. He was born January 5, 1932 in Mishawaka, IN to parents Ora and Ida Stafford. He is survived by sisters, Louise Praklet, Marie DeWitte, and Wanda (George) Hayden; children, Mark (Terri) Stafford, Julie (Bill) Steward, and Jane (Bob) Gillespie; and grandchildren, Christopher, Ryan, Matthew, Evan, Jacob, and Amber. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 54 years, Dorthy Louise (Smeltzer), originally from Wakarusa, In.
Through a relentless pursuit of excellence, and by God's grace, John achieved the American Dream. He was a member of the 1948 Mishawaka High School State Championship cross country team. He served proudly in the Navy aboard the USS Essex aircraft carrier during the Korean conflict. He became the first person from "his side of the tracks" to graduate from college. Having found his calling as an educator, he completed 2 Masters degrees, culminating with the achievement of a Ph.D in Geography in 1972. He taught Geography at the Univ. of S. Florida for 25 years, where he was known for his meticulous class preparation, and love for students (except those who cut class)! He was a lifelong fisherman and loved to travel, although nothing gave him more joy then entertaining family and friends at his NC home. He loved to play cards and was fond of discussing " political issues of the day" with anyone willing to spar with him. He had a passion for life, and pursued all tasks with enthusiasm. He was a loyal and loving friend, father, and husband, who would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.
Most of all, we will remember him for 54 years of love, marriage, and commitment to his wife, "Miss Dottie". Their marriage was living proof that, "they are no more two, but one flesh". His love and care for her, "in sickness and in health", was an inspiration to all who knew them. Although we mourn John's loss here on earth, we rejoice in the fact that he is once again reunited with "Miss Dottie" and our Father in heaven!
A memorial Service is 2:00 p.m., August 5, 2012 at Community U.M.C., Fruitland Park, FL. Interment with military honors will be 9:00 AM, August 6, 2012, at FL National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL. Dorthy Louise Stafford
Memorial Scholarship", providing aid to nursing students at Lake Sumter Community College, LSCC Foundation, 9501 US Highway 441, Leesburg, FL, 34788.
John Wade Stafford passed away June 1, 2012 in Waynesville, NC. He was born January 5, 1932 in Mishawaka, IN to parents Ora and Ida Stafford. He is survived by sisters, Louise Praklet, Marie DeWitte, and Wanda (George) Hayden; children, Mark (Terri) Stafford, Julie (Bill) Steward, and Jane (Bob) Gillespie; and grandchildren, Christopher, Ryan, Matthew, Evan, Jacob, and Amber. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 54 years, Dorthy Louise (Smeltzer), originally from Wakarusa, In.
Through a relentless pursuit of excellence, and by God's grace, John achieved the American Dream. He was a member of the 1948 Mishawaka High School State Championship cross country team. He served proudly in the Navy aboard the USS Essex aircraft carrier during the Korean conflict. He became the first person from "his side of the tracks" to graduate from college. Having found his calling as an educator, he completed 2 Masters degrees, culminating with the achievement of a Ph.D in Geography in 1972. He taught Geography at the Univ. of S. Florida for 25 years, where he was known for his meticulous class preparation, and love for students (except those who cut class)! He was a lifelong fisherman and loved to travel, although nothing gave him more joy then entertaining family and friends at his NC home. He loved to play cards and was fond of discussing " political issues of the day" with anyone willing to spar with him. He had a passion for life, and pursued all tasks with enthusiasm. He was a loyal and loving friend, father, and husband, who would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.
Most of all, we will remember him for 54 years of love, marriage, and commitment to his wife, "Miss Dottie". Their marriage was living proof that, "they are no more two, but one flesh". His love and care for her, "in sickness and in health", was an inspiration to all who knew them. Although we mourn John's loss here on earth, we rejoice in the fact that he is once again reunited with "Miss Dottie" and our Father in heaven!
A memorial Service is 2:00 p.m., August 5, 2012 at Community U.M.C., Fruitland Park, FL. Interment with military honors will be 9:00 AM, August 6, 2012, at FL National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL. Dorthy Louise Stafford
Memorial Scholarship", providing aid to nursing students at Lake Sumter Community College, LSCC Foundation, 9501 US Highway 441, Leesburg, FL, 34788.
Family Members
Siblings
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Ford Leroy Stafford
1915–1936
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Chester Ray Stafford
1917–1933
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Archie Devoe "Monty" Stafford
1919–1999
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Laura Louise Stafford Praklet
1921–2015
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Leo Lorrain "Cha Cha" Stafford Sr
1924–1988
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Viola Marie Stafford Dewitte
1925–2013
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Wanda Belle Stafford Hayden
1929–2015
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Juanita Ruth "Nita" Stafford Abraham
1934–2002
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