Paul L Stafford

Paul L. Stafford, Wooster Paul Lewis Stafford passed away Friday Morning, February 19 at West View Healthy Living after an eight month battle with cancer. He was born May 12, 1928 to Myron A. and Hallie (Hibbard) Stafford at Meadville, PA. He married his wife of 39 years Margo (Dague) Stafford on September 18, 1976. Paul graduated, January 1946 from Meadville High School and attended Allegheny College until he enlisted in the United States Air Force in August of 1948, and served as an Air Traffic Controller in the Panama Canal, honorably discharged in August of 1952 at the rank of Staff Sergeant. In November 1952 he became a member of the Crawford Lodge #234 F. & A.M., being raised by Myron A. Stafford, Master. In Ohio he became a member of Stonington Lodge in Amherst and in 1983 he rejoined Crawford Lodge #234, serving as chaplain from 1997 to 2000 being a member for 63 years. Paul worked for several businesses in Meadville and Erie Pennsylvania prior to applying for a position of Air Traffic Controller in 1955 with the C.A.A., now the F.A.A. He trained in New York, transferred to Greater Pittsburgh Airport. In 1962 he transferred to the Oberlin Air Traffic Control Center where he worked as a Controller until 1974 when he was promoted to Leased Communication Administrator, retiring in 1983 after 28 years. Upon retiring, he and his wife Margo relocated to Meadville, Pennsylvania. He was appointed secretary-treasurer of Woodcock Township serving for 9 years retiring in 1996. He became a member of the Woodcock Center Grange serving as master, district deputy, and was a member of the state and national grange. Paul and his wife were active in the founding of the Saegertown Area Library. Paul and Margo returned to Ohio locating in Wooster where they were active in the county historical society. Paul is a Life Member of the Smithville Community Historical Society. Paul was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ where he served on several committees. He is survived by his wife, Son, Alan (Nancy) Stafford of Amherst; Daughters, Bonnie (Robert) Dannenberg of North Aurora, Illinois and Kathleen (Thomas) Horvath of Elyria, Ohio. Grandchildren Jeanne (Justin), Jonathan (Tabitha), and Zachary, Step-Grandchildren Maria, Nick, Natalie, and Nathan, and Great Granddaughter Gracelyn. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Ailene (Ryan) and son Darrell; second wife Marilyn (Baker) and son Thomas. Paul enjoyed, model railroading, traveling, photography, especially taking pictures of birds, gardening and history. Services will be held at Custer-Glenn Funeral Home at 2284 Benden Dr., Wooster on Thursday, February 25, 2016,with visitation 11 A.M. until 12:30 P.M. Service will be at 12:30 P.M. with the Rev. Dr. Kevan Franklin officiating. Burial will take place at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman at 2 P.M. It was Paul’s wishes that donations be made to Crawford Lodge #234, F. & A.M. C/o Roger P. Nydes, P.M., 17112 Parkview Dr., Meadville, PA 16335 or the Smithville Community Historical Society, P.O. Box 12, Smithville, OH 44677 in lieu of flowers. We would like to thank the staff of Life Care Hospice and West View Healthy Living for their wonderful loving care. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at: www.custerglenn.com

Paul L Stafford

May 12, 1928 - February 19, 2016