Howard Stafford

SIKESTON — Howard Blane Stafford, age 94, of Sikeston passed away peacefully on Aug. 16, 2024, at Saint Francis Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. 

He was born on March 13, 1930, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and lived there with his parents, Blane and Oma Stafford, until he graduated from high school. He worked on riverboats pushing barges on the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes until he joined the Air Force, where he served as a fighter plane mechanic during the Korean War. After the war, he returned to Missouri and worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, where he worked in several positions and locations until his retirement. 

In 1979, he married Elaine Maddox and moved from Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to Sikeston. He took up woodworking, built a shop in his backyard, and handcrafted many beautiful pieces of furniture, cabinets and smaller pieces such as turned wooden bowls and vases. He worked in his shop until his recent illness. In his youth, he loved horses and dogs, fishing, and outdoor activities. 

Howard is survived by his wife, Elaine; sister, Judy Partain (Leon); brother, Tom (Cathy); son, Mike (Jan); daughter, Cathy; stepchildren, Kay Marsh and David Maddox; and grandkids, Jeffrey (Molin), Jason, Kasi, Jessi, Erin O'Donnell (Andrew), Rob Kelley (Leti), Joe Kelley, Kristin Ryzek (Scott), and Kelly Marsh Jones. He is also survived by great-grandchildren, Kaylin, Allie and Cassie Rezek; James, Louis, and Ozzie O'Donnell; and Sophia Kelley; and many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Harold; and grandson, Sean.

Howard was a man of faith, active for years in the First United Methodist Church in Sikeston. He was known as Pop to his family and as a kind friend to many, all of who loved and will miss him.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024, at 3 p.m. at the Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri, with military honors. Rev. Jennifer Moxley, officiating.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Stafford family may be shared at www.nunneleefuneralchapel.com.