Obituary of Kenneth F. Stafford

Kenneth Stafford, 80, of Neversink, NY, died peacefully at home with family members present on Thursday, August 20, 2009. The son of the late William and Mildred Stafford, he was born on May 14, 1929 in New Lisbon, NY. A U.S. Army veteran, Ken served as a corporal in the 11th Airborne Military Police. While stationed in Nashville, TN, he met Betty Jean Thornton, whom he married in 1951. They lived in Sullivan County, NY for over five decades. Ken was an employee of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for 35 years. Throughout his life, Ken pursued an extensive range of skills and interests, such as hunting for historic bottles, wilderness survival, fishing, hiking, gold panning, woodworking, and electronics. He studied and practiced each with passion and precision. Ken's family and friends regard this humble, hard-working, and ethical man with great respect and affection. Ken was predeceased by his wife, Betty on April 23, 2005. He is survived by his four children and their families: Teresa Stafford Burr and her husband, Robert Burr of Channel View, TX; Toni Stafford of Woodbourne, NY; Kendra Elliott and her husband, Michael Elliott of Knoxville, MD; William Stafford and his wife, Sandra Langley of South Orange, NJ; ten grandchildren; a great-granddaughter, and an expected great-grandson. A private service will be held by the immediate family in honor of Ken's wishes. Interment of his and his wife's ashes will be held at the convenience of the family at the Sullivan County Veterans Cemetery in Liberty. His family wishes to express gratitude to the Hospice nurses for their wonderful care and support. Donations may be made to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, Inc., 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550. Arrangements by VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Monticello; 845-794-4141. For additional information, please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com. face="Times New Roman">