Graveside services for John M. Stapleton, 66, of Albert Lea, will be held on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Central Freeborn Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by the Freeborn County servicemen’s organizations. The Rev. Dan Baker will officiate. To sign the guest book, go to: www.bayviewfuneral.com
John died Thursday, May 7, 2009, at the Albert Lea Medical Center.
John Mathews Stapleton was born on March 22, 1943, in Yakima, Wash., the son of Cleo and Helena Stapleton. He was raised by his foster parents Ed and Ora Keller, in Yakima where he attended and graduated from high school. John enlisted in the United States Air Force and served in Vietnam. He then met and married Judy Grasdalen on Jan. 7, 1968, at Deer Creek Valley Lutheran Church. After 26 years of service to his country John retired from the Air Force as a master sergeant. He worked as a custodian for the Wichita Falls School System in Texas. He then moved to Albert Lea where he worked for the Emmons School District. He enjoyed John Deere tractors and especially hanging out with his grandchildren. He was a member of the Monday Senior bowling league.
Survivors include his wife, Judy of Albert Lea; children: William Stapleton and Karie and husband Daren Coleman, all of Albert Lea; grandchildren: Clarrissa and Karen Coleman; brothers: Cleo P. Stapleton and Robert (Bobbie) Stapleton; sisters: Rosemary Johnson and Myra (Larry) Veentjer; and many nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his parents, foster parents, and his grandparents.