Edward J. Stafinski

STAFINSKI, Edward
Kalamazoo Edward J. Stafinski of Kalamazoo died Sunday, November 13, 2011 at Rose Arbor Hospice following a period of declining health. He was born to John and Catherine Grubka Stafinski on December 15, 1922 in Vicksburg, Michigan. After graduating from Vicksburg High School where he was a three-sport athlete, he attended Michigan State before enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Commissioned as First Lieutenant, he was assigned as a bomber pilot to the 86th Bombardment Squadron, 47th Bombardment Group. He flew 52 combat missions in the southern European front, and received the Distinguished Flying Cross with clusters. Edward finished his education at Western Michigan and the University of Michigan, and taught and coached at Elsie and New Buffalo High Schools before serving as Superintendent of Schools in Bloomingdale, Marcellus, Armada, and Stevensville Lakeshore. He finished his career in education as Assistant Superintendent for Business in the Flint Beecher district. In 1951 he married Natalie L. McKenzie, the beginning of a 60-year partnership based on love and focused on family. Together, they provided an extraordinary example for daughters Teresa Thomas Appel of Vermont and Patricia Scott Schrum of Kalamazoo; four grandchildren Emily Kevin Mainstone and Michael Amy Schrum of Kalamazoo, Kathryn Appel and Elizabeth Appel of Brattleboro, Vermont; and for the joy of their recent years, a great-granddaughter, Emma. Edward was not only the provider and protector, but also the living testimonial to the power of faith and resilience. In the past year, he put aside his own health concerns to care for his wife, who predeceased him on September 9, 2011. His devotion and selflessness continue to inspire his family and friends. He is survived by his immediate family, his brother John of Vicksburg, and sisters Harriet Pultorak of Battle Creek and Violet Smith of Plainwell, brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews - and by the many students he inspired in his long career. A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, November 28th at 11:00 at St. Mary's Church in Marshall, with interment at Oakridge Cemetery. Instead of calling hours, the family will receive friends and family at the church, starting at 10:00. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Residential Opportunities, Inc, 1100 S. Rose Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49001 to support children with disabilities. Arrangements by the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S, Burdick St. Please visit www.langelands.com for online obituary, directions, register book and condolences. 269 343-1508