Obituary of J. Staggs

J. H. Staggs, 84, of Doniphan, Missouri, died Sunday, April 5, 2009, at St. Francis Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Mr. Staggs, son of the late Jay Hue and Julie Myrtis (Gibson) Staggs, was born March 7, 1925, in Rector, Arkansas. He was self-employed in small engine repair. Mr. Staggs served with the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and was involved in the Japanese Occupation. He was of the Baptist faith and was a Mason and lifetime member of the Doniphan V.F.W. Post 3485, having served as Past Commander and as an All-State Commander. On June 5, 1948, he was married to Evelyn Joyce Harlan in Winterset, Iowa. She survives. Also surviving are five children; Leslie D. Staggs, Carolyn J. Payne, Roma R. Ketchem and Kathy E. Lancaster, all of Doniphan, and Steve D. Staggs of Fresno, California; two brothers, Herbert H. Staggs of Meadow Vista, California, and James E. Staggs of Willow Springs, Missouri; sixteen grandchildren, twenty-nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, Doris Elizabeth Boone, Syble K. Hawks and Tonie Grace, three brothers, Hauly Staggs, John Staggs and Herman Staggs, and one great-grandchild. Visitation will be Wednesday evening, April 8, 2009, from 5 - 8 p.m. at the Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan. The funeral service will be Thursday morning, April 9, 2009, at 9:00 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with Dennis Staggs and Curtis Crowley officiating. Burial will follow in the Center Hill Cemetery.