Joseph M. “Merkie” Stanton, Jr.

Joseph M. “Merkie” Stanton, Jr. of Elmira, NY passed away on Saturday, November 19, 2011 at the Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira. Merkie was born on April 9, 1936 in Geneva, NY son of the late Joseph M. Stanton, Sr. and Frances I. (Mott) Stanton. He was a retired U.S. Army veteran, serving his country in the Viet Nam War and all around the world for 24 years with the United States Army Security Agency. At one point in his carreer, Merkie had to smuggle parts to a U2 spy plane into Thailand so it could be re-assembled and used for survalience on the in Eastern Asia. There was a time when he bowled with the Shaw of Iran, and was one of the last Americans out of the country when the Shaw fell from power. Merkie was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #6083 in Elmira Heights, NY where he was Post Chaplin, and attended Elmira Wesleyan Church. Merkie loved the Lord, and wherever he lived, he was active with a local church. He helped by teaching Sunday school and working with the youth. He always loved sports, playing baseball and basketball in his younger years, and in his later years watching NASCAR and football. Merkie loved his family. They include his children: Joseph M. (Patricia) Stanton, III, and Debra (Alan) Twedt, both of Elmira, NY, his grandchildren Katherine (Garrett) Lyon, Joseph M. Stanton,IV, and Jason Mitchell, his brother Wayne (Gloria) Stanton, Sr. of Binghamton, NY, along with several nieces, nephews, cousins, and his cainine companions Choo Choo and Archie. Merkie was preceded in death by his parents. Family and friends are welcome to call from 11:00 am-12:00 pm on Saturday, Novemeber 26, 2011 at the Roberts Funeral Home, Inc. 279 Main St. Wellsburg, NY. The funeral Service to honor Merkie’s life will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, Novemebr 26th at the funeral home with his pastor, Rev. Larry Burke, officiating. Burial will follow the service in Ashland Cemetery with millitay rites given by the Mariane Corps League and Viet Nam Veterans Assocoation, both of Chemung County. Memorial contributions may be made in Merkie’s memory to the International Research Foundation for RSD/CRPS (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Complex regional pain syndrome) Mary Davis, Executive Director, 1910 East Busch Boulevard Tampa, Florida 33612. Drive Fast/Take Chances