Joseph Robert Stanifer
Born in Harrogate, on April 24, 1919, he was a graduate of Powell Valley High School and attended East Oregon State Teacher’s College.
He served in the Army Air Force, Squadron N 326th Base Unit during World War II, attaining the rank of sergeant. He was honorably discharged on Nov. 17, 1945. He received the American Theater Ribbon, Victory Medal and Good Conduct Medal.
He married Clara Collino on March 7, 1941, in Bowling Green, Ohio. They were married for 54 years. She preceded him in death on Jan. 16, 1996.
Mr. Stanifer was employed by the Dana Corporation in Ecorse, Mich., for more than 32 years.
Always active in the political arena, he served five terms as a city councilman for the 3rd and 6th precincts in the city of Monroe. He also served as a county commissioner for four terms. Mr. Stanifer served on the City Planning Commission, Monroe Port Commission and on the former Monroe County Board of Supervisors.
He was a member of the Moose Lodge #884, Monroe Lodge FOP and the Monroe Elks Lodge. He served as a Union Official with the AFL-CIO, United Papermakers and Paper Workers, and the United Auto Workers. He served as a union officer for over 25 years, holding offices from Bargaining Committee to President. He was also a founding member of the Monroe County Community Credit Union.
He is survived by daughters, Karen Lambeck and Mary Jo, with whom he has lived for the past 13 years; a brother, Cecil of Clinton, Tenn.; and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lula (Whitaker) and Leamon Stanifer; sisters, Anna Mae Bryant and Ruth Rodriguez; brothers, James, Carl, Raymond, Leamon and Virgil Ray.
Mr. Stanifer has an endowed Scholarship at Lincoln Memorial University to aid Claiborne County High School graduates who are unable to pay for college education.
At his request, there was no visitation and a private graveside service was held at the Whitaker-Stanifer Family Cemetery in Harrogate.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Stanifer Scholarship Fund, the Claiborne County Animal Shelter, or the Harrogate Book Station.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, January 29, at Reece Funeral Home and Valley Chapel with A.D. Reece III, officiating.
Arrangements by Reece Funeral Home P.O. Box 600, Harrogate, TN 37752 (423-869-3651 or www.reecefh.com).
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