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The Observer, Dunkirk, NY, August 2, 2011
Burton J. Stafford, 91, of Fredonia died Saturday morning (July 30, 2011) at the Chautauqua County Home in Dunkirk.
He was born Jan. 24, 1920 in Silver Creek, the son of the late Foy A. and Olive (Osborne) Stafford.
Burton and the former Thelma Louise Sievert were married on Aug. 30, 1941 at St. John's Evangelical and Reformed Church on Fourth Street in Dunkirk, NY, now St. John's United Church of Christ.
He attended Silver Creek Schools and received his high school diploma from Silver Creek High School in 2001 under Project Recognition of the United States Education Law.
In 1942, he entered the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 130th Combat Engineering Unit. His assignment was to help build hospital facilities for the invasion of Normandy. He was wounded in both legs in France on Dec. 4, 1944 and was then sent back to the front line as part of the Battle of the Bulge. He was wounded a second time on Dec. 23, 1944 and returned to the United States after spending five months in a European hospital. Mr. Stafford received a Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster and the European Theater Ribbon with two battle stars. He was honorably discharged in 1945.
Mr. Stafford was employed by Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corporation (now AL-Tech Specialty Steel) from 1941 until his retirement in 1982.
He was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ and served several years as an Elder and Deacon. He also was a life member of VFW Post 1395 in Fredonia, a life member of Fredonia Memorial Post No. 59 of the American Legion and a life member of the Disabled American Veterans.
Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Thelma (Sievert) Stafford; and his daughter, Cheryl (William) Pitz. Also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Ruth (Howard) Samuelson and Madelyn (Lindgren) (Karwick).
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1920 - 2011 (91 years)
