John Bailey Stalnaker Jr., 90, of Buckhannon, W.Va., went home to be with the Lord on December 3, 2020, at his daughter’s home surrounded by his family.
He was born December 5, 1929, in Weston, W.Va., a son of the late John Bailey Stalnaker and Virginia Mary Grace Crowl Stalnaker.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Helen Lantz Stalnaker; one son, Timothy P. Stalnaker; one daughter, Beverly D. Stalnaker and one sister, Bonnie Taylor.
He is survived by his second wife Betty Kanouff Stalnaker of Buckhannon; one son, Rex A. Stalnaker and wife Kathy of Rock Cave, W.Va.; one daughter, Sheila Y. Louk and husband Tony of Buckhannon; one daughter-in-law, Lucinda Stalnaker of Lake Alfred, Fla.; eight grandchildren, Alex Louk and Lauren Louk both of Buckhannon, Sarah Fisher and husband Zack of Los Angeles, Calif., Christa Jones and husband Travis of Auburn, Ga., Hannah Carmon of Hinesville, Ga., Daniel Stalnaker of Lake Alfred, Samuel Stalnaker of Nashville, Tenn. and Savannah Stalnaker of Lake Alfred; seven great-grandchildren, Isaiah Dean, Sophia Carmon, Baylee, Seth, and McKenzie Stalnaker, Talan and Josslyn Jones and several nieces.
After nearly 30 years of service, John retired from the Veteran’s Administration as the Chief of Office Services. Subsequently, he enjoyed working at Bennett’s Appliance and Furniture Center in Weston, WV, as a television repairman until he was 85.
John was a veteran of the United States Army and served during the Korean War. He was a member of VFW Post 3663 of Buckhannon.
He attended church faithfully and was a founding member of Christian Fellowship Church where he was an Elder, Sunday school teacher and bible study teacher. John also attended South Buckhannon Mission Church where he taught Sunday school and bible study. Most recently he attended The Way of Holiness Church with his family.
One of his favorite Bible verses comes from Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” We can also take peace as our faith teaches us in John 11:25-26, “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”
Those who knew John well were quite aware that he spoke often of being homesick for heaven. Even though John and his daily prayers will be dearly missed here on earth by his family and friends, we can rejoice in the fact that he is no longer homesick and is enjoying his heavenly reward. As John often said – God Bless and Jesus is coming soon?
Friends will be received Monday, December 7, 2020 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Christian Fellowship Church. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. at the church with the Rev. J. Edward McDaniels and Pastor Jerry Murrell officiating. Burial will follow in the Miller Cemetery in Horner, W.Va. The Upshur County Honor Guard will provide Military Honors at the gravesite.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
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