Jack Stauffer
1926 - 2018
Obituary
Jack Stauffer went to be with Our Lord
on Sunday (Oct. 14, 2018), surrounded by his family; he was at his
home under the care of his family and Hospice.
Jack was born on Dec. 24, 1926, in
Ephrata, Pennsylvania, to Aaron O. and Leah (Sensenig) Stauffer. At
age 2, Jack's mother became ill and he went to live with an Old Order
Mennonite family who drove a horse and buggy. Jack attended a
one-room school house until eighth grade, when he was required to
leave school and help on the family farm. Jack regretted having to
leave school; he had a lifelong love of learning and began educating
himself by reading countless books. As a teenager, Jack went to live
with the Omar Zook family of Oley, Pennsylvania, to work on their
large farm. The Zook family treated Jack like part of their family.
After World War II, Jack took two trips
overseas to Greece and the Holy Land, delivering mules to help with
the rebuilding process from the destruction of war. Upon returning to
the United States, Jack joined Mennonite Voluntary Service, where he
served in Gulfport, Mississippi. There, he met the love of his life,
Linda Schmidt. He often reminisced that when he met Linda, he
immediately knew that he would marry her. In spite of having an
eighth grade education, Jack entered the Philadelphia Bible College,
where he began a long-distance courtship, and ultimately became
engaged with Linda by letter.
In July of 1954, Jack came to Kansas to
marry Linda; this was the first time he had been to Kansas and also
the first time he met Linda's parents. He resided in Kansas ever
since. Jack and Linda were married on July 15, 1954, at Tabor
Mennonite Church, Goessel, with Linda's dad, H.B. Schmidt,
officiating.
Jack and Linda moved to Newton, where
Jack worked full-time supporting his growing family while attending
Bethel College in North Newton. He graduated in 1965. Jack worked in
sales at Hilts Inc. for many years, traveling across central and
western Kansas. After retiring, he began buying houses, remodeling
them and then renting to families. He enjoyed doing this, often
saying he wished he would have done this during all of his working
years.
Jack was active in the Harvey County
Democratic Committee, serving as Secretary-Treasurer. He was
dedicated to Habitat for Humanity, donating land for homes to be
built on. He was a member of the Newton Lions Club and the National
Gold Wing Association. He was a member of Faith Mennonite Church,
Newton. Once a week, while physically able, Jack delivered meals to
people through the "meals on wheels" program.
Jack loved his family first. He loved
to read, travel and ride his Gold Wing motorcycle. Jack took many
trips across the United States on his Gold Wing cruiser. He and Linda
took many trips across the United States and to Canada and Europe.
His dream was to return to the Holy Land; he and Linda traveled there
for their 25th anniversary. He had strong political views, writing
many letters to The Kansan and other newspapers across the United
States. He received numerous letters and phone calls from people
responding to his letters, making many friends across the country.
Survivors include his loving and
faithful wife, Linda (Schmidt); his children: Ron (Kathy) Stauffer of
Overland Park, Sharon Goering of Wichita, Carolyn Stauffer of Newton,
Debbie (Russ) Wedel of Hutchinson, Ruth (Eric) Calbert of North
Newton, and Tim (Margaret) Stauffer of Kansas City, Missouri. He is
also survived by 10 grandchildren: Mike Goering (who was also his
caretaker for the last year), Kristin (Brian) McGuirk of Providence,
Rhode Island, Brett Wedel and fiance Katrina Horner of Providence,
Emily Wedel and fiance Ryker Williams of Manhattan, Tara (Tim)
McCreedy of Newton, Jared (Alyssa) Calbert of Wichita, Jamie Holladay
of Newton, Regan Stauffer of Overland Park, and Abby Stauffer and
Chloe Stauffer of Kansas City, Missouri; and four
great-grandchildren: Julianna and Jenna Coppenbarger, Cody Caraway
and Everett McCreedy, all of Newton. He is also survived by his
sisters, Lois (Harvey) Thiessen of Hesston and Mary Jane (Charles)
Rutter of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; one brother, Alfred (Ruth Ann)
Stauffer of Lancaster; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jack was preceded in death by his
parents and stepmother, Mary G. Stauffer; a brother, Enos; and
sisters: Katie Stauffer, Elizabeth Burkhart and Eva Fox of
Pennsylvania, and Verna Musser of Florida.
Memorial services will be held at 11
a.m. Saturday (Oct. 20, 2018) at the Faith Mennonite Church in
Newton. The family will receive friends between 6 and 8 p.m. Friday
(Oct. 19, 2018) at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be
made to Habitat for Humanity or Mennonite Central Committee.
Contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E.
Broadway, Newton, KS 67114.
Condolences may be left at
www.broadwaycolonialfh.com.
Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial
Funeral Home, Newton.
