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Joseph Stanlake

December 17, 2014
Sun City Center, FL

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Joseph Durward "J.D." J.D. Stanlake, age 92, of Sun City Center, Florida, formerly of Kalamazoo, passed away December 17, 2014 in Sun City, Florida. He was born on October 1, 1922 and raised in Duluth, Minnesota to Joseph and Jane Stanlake. As a young boy he enjoyed playing hockey, skiing, working as a golf caddy and delivering newspapers in Duluth. He also spent much of his boyhood years in the northern woods of Minnesota where he, his father and his mother built a family cabin. It was there and growing up on the shores of Lake Superior he learned to love the lakes and the woods; a love that stayed with him throughout his life. After graduation from Duluth Central High School in 1940, J.D. (or Durward as his parents called him) attended college for a couple years before joining the United States Naval Air Corp. Aviation had intrigued him as a boy and his dream of flying came to fruition during World War II. He was trained as a pilot and flight instructor. He flew a number of planes but primarily during the war, he flew the Curtiss SB2C Dive Bomber off the Aircraft carrier Essex in the South Pacific. After active duty, J.D. remained in the Naval Reserve flying transport planes until 1964. In November of 1945 he was united in marriage to Dorothy Jean Johnson in Hastings, Michigan. In 1952, the Stanlakes moved to Kalamazoo where he worked as a self-employed building contractor. Kalamazoo was their home for many years and where they raised their three daughters. In the mid-sixties he was hired by The City of Kalamazoo in the Building Department as an inspector and later, supervisor. He retired from the City of Kalamazoo in 1980. While maintaining a summer home in Lake County, He spent many summers volunteering at Habitat for Humanity and other organizations in that area. However in 1981 J.D. and Dorothy made their permanent residence Sebring, Florida. Here they enjoyed many years of retirement, playing golf and participating in volunteer activities. They also enjoyed traveling and taking grandchildren to the theme parks and attractions in Florida. The Stanlakes were charter members of the Emmanuel Church of Christ in Sebring. While in Kalamazoo, The First Congregational Church of Kalamazoo was his church home. In 2010 J.D. moved to Sun City Center where he enjoyed exercising, riding his bike and various activities in that community and attending the United Community Church. Throughout his life he was a hero to his girls; he could build anything, fix anything, and was a wealth of knowledge in many areas. He loved to learn and eagerly jumped into the electronic age becoming very computer savvy. He was always eager to help with any projects his family had going on and generously gave his time and energy. He was loved by all the family pets and he loved them as well. J.D. was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Dorothy Stanlake in 2006 and his half-brother, Charles Turcott in 1999. Surviving are his three daughters: Candace Stanlake (Alan Beth) of Sun City Center, Florida, Rene (Richard) Bush, Teresa (Marvin) Simon, and "Child of the heart" Carole Sweet, all of Kalamazoo. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Joseph Beth, Bridgett Bush, Benjamin (Stephanie) Bush, Nicholas (Jody) Simon, Traci (Kelly) Krepps, Matthew Sweet; nine great-grandchildren; Gracie and Leyton Eagle, Nicky and Jenna Simon, Graham Krepps, Layla Rose Bush, Nicolette, Katelyn and Emery Sweet; sister-in-law Marcia (Kenneth) Lane and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 8, 2015 at First Congregational Church of UCC, 345 W. Michigan Avenue, followed by a committal service with military honors at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI. Friends may visit with the family on Thursday morning from 10-11 AM at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to LifePath Hospice (Hillsborough County, FL), Kalamazoo County Humane Society (Kalamazoo, MI) or C.A.R.E. Animal Shelter (Ruskin, FL). Arrangements were entrusted to Langeland Family Funeral Homes.