MANSFIELD: Gerald Staton lived simply, served generously, spoke kindly and loved deeply. God and family came first to him. His friendly nature and affable personality endeared him to many – he never knew a stranger – and will be long remembered for his sense of humor and compassion.
Gerald passed away Sunday morning April 12, 2015 in Delray Medical Center Hospice, Delray Beach, Florida. He was 80.
Born October 15, 1934 in Bucyrus to Clayton and Mary (King) Staton, Gerald was graduated from Washington–Lewistown High School and attended Ohio Northern University.
He served with the US Navy aboard the USS Kermit Roosevelt (ARG-16). He was a graduate of the apprentice program of General Motors and earned certification as a journeyman tool maker. He worked with General Motors at the stamping plant in Ontario 35 years as a skilled tradesman before retiring in 1995.
Gerald was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church where he sang in the choir in the 1970s. While a member at Resurrection Parish he was active with the Stephen Ministry and Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the UAW and UAW Retirees, Mansfield Liederkranz, and had volunteered with the Raemelton Equestrian Center. He had been active with MacGregor Bagpipe Band in Massillon and Royal Scotts Highlanders Band in Mansfield.
Since 1998 he and his wife have been snowbirds in Sterling Village at Boynton Beach, Florida, where he sang in the Sterling Village chorus, played Bocce and mini golf and attended St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church in Delray Beach.
He is survived by his wife Pauline (Meyer) Staton, whom he married November 18, 1961; their children Gerald M. “Mike” & Cynthia Staton of Mansfield, Douglas A. Staton of Columbus, Steven E. & Julie Staton of Troy and Catherine M. “Cathy” & Michael Hanson of Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren Casey, Maya, Reyna, Cooper, Carmen, Ellen, Nicholas and Maria Staton, Mia, Astrid, Chloe and Phoebe Hanson; sister and brother-in-law Paula & George Worden of Sidney; sisters-in-law Miriam & Arthur Shellenbarger of Huntsville and Donna Lansing & fiancé John Miller of Maineville, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
In addition to his parents, Gerald was preceded in death by sisters Betty Lee Dunn and Patricia Ann Kingery; and brother-in-law James R. Meyer.
The Staton family will receive friends Friday, April 17, 2015 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Finefrock Chapel of the Marion Avenue Snyder Funeral Home, where a Vigil Service will be held at 8 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Saturday, April 18 at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Catholic Church, celebrated by the Rev. Father Gregory Hite. Burial will follow in Prince of Peace Cemetery, where Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Squad will hold graveside military honors.
Contributions in his memory to Annunciation Radio may be made at the funeral home.
Snyder Funeral Homes is honored to serve the Staton family. To send them a message of sympathy and support, or watch a video in tribute to Gerald, visit: SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
