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Joseph Stanton

August 15, 2022
Kalamazoo, MI

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Stanton, Joseph Robert "Joe" 10/25/1942 - 8/15/2022 Kalamazoo Joseph Robert "Joe" Stanton, age 79, of Kalamazoo passed away unexpectedly Monday morning, August 15, 2022. He was born in Detroit, Michigan on October 25, 1942, the son of Robert J. and Sophie (Mikonczyk) Stanton. He was also raised by his step-mother, Mary (Ballard) Stanton. A tremendously gifted athlete, Joe starred in baseball, basketball, football and track at Jonesville High School and graduated with the Class of 1961. After high school, he was offered contracts by the Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers. Joe turned down those offers and went on to play baseball at Hillsdale College. Joe retired as a tool & die maker at General Motors in 2008 after more than 42 years of service. While at General Motors, he also served as President and Financial Officer for the UAW Local #488, retiring as President. Joe married the "Love of His Life", Kay Lynn Cook in Jackson, Michigan on June 22, 1968; she survives. He is also survived by his children, Conway (Jodee) Stanton of Richland, Troy Stanton of Kalamazoo and Stacy (Chris) Crawford of Richland; six grandchildren, Justin, Cade, Dylan, Braden Stanton, Sophie and Alexis Crawford; five brothers & sisters, David (Laura), Norvel (Mary), Fred (Mary) Stanton, Marlene Miller and Duane Stanton; sisters-in-law, Vickie (Dale) Sprague and Cheryl (John) Hartlep; and several nieces & nephews. Joe was preceded in death by his parents and his step-mother; and brothers & sisters, Walter, Jerry, Dale Stanton and Martha Kunder. Family and sports meant everything to Joe. He was a member of the United States Trotting Association and raced horses his entire life, and was always his children & grandchildren's biggest fan and supporter at the sporting events. The family will greet friends 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Monday, August 22nd at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel where services to celebrate Joe's life will be held at 12:00 noon. A private interment will follow at Mosherville Cemetery in Scipio Township. Memorials may be directed to the American Heart Association. Personal messages for the family and favorite memories of Joe may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.