John Otto Staffen's Obituary
Lakeview - John Otto Staffen, age 83, of Morley passed away on May 28, 2019 at Spectrum Health Big Rapids. John was born on November 4, 1935 in Amble, the son of Jim and Adaline (Kranz) Staffen. He was raised in the Morley area and graduated from Morley High School with the class of 1953. Upon graduation John served in the United States Army. He loved to dance, and met Geraldine Louise Sherman at a dance at the Oxbow. They were married when he was 21 and she was 17, on July 6, 1957 in Wyoming, MI. He worked for Tubular Sales and Supply for 30 years. John was a strong-willed man, but was tender hearted and very giving. He loved his family, especially taking his grandkids on trips. His world revolved around doing special things with and for them. John was an excellent father and grandpa. He enjoyed hunting, mowing the grass and reading western books. Louis L'Amour and Zane Grey were his favorites, and John Wayne was his hero. He was a member of the Knox-Helms American Legion Post #554 in Morley.
John will be missed and is survived by his children, Brad (Brenda) Staffen of Wyoming, Steve (Sonja) Staffen of Allegan and Sandy (Dennis) Patterson of Rockford; 10 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Geraldine Staffen; his parents, Jim and Adaline Staffen; his sister, Leona (Larry) Eckert and brothers, Carl (Nancy) Staffen, and baby boy, Harold Staffen.
Services for John will be at Brigham Funeral Chapel, in Lakeview on Sunday, June 2, 2019 at 1:30 PM with Stephen Brigham officiating. Interment will be at the Altona Cemetery immediately following a luncheon at the Chapel. The family will greet friends at Brigham Funeral Chapel on Saturday, June 1, 2019 from 2:00 - 5:00 PM. Those wishing to make a contribution in John's memory are asked to consider The Autism Society. Condolences to the family be made utilizing the guestbook at www. brighamfuneralchapel. com
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