John Henry Stanton

John was born Feb. 17, 1921, in Russell, the son of the late John Arthur and Grace Sipple Stanton.

He was a 1939 graduate of Lander High School. A lifelong resident of Russell, he was the husband of Marilyn LeBaron of Gerry, N.Y., whom he married Sept. 21, 1946.

Prior to entering World War II, he was employed at Bel Aircraft in Buffalo, N.Y., hand sewing the wings of the P39 Air Cobra. Joining the Army in 1943, a member of the 3rd Infantry, 7th Regiment, 3rd Battalion, L Company, he served in the European Theater. Staff Sgt. Stanton was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest award given in the Army, for liberating a French village from German occupation. He single-handedly destroyed their fortifications and artillery and took 25 prisoners. He and his men held the record for the longest stay of 60 days in a foxhole while under enemy fire. He also received the European Campaign Medal with three bronze stars, Bronze Arrowhead Medal for being involved in the first saltwater invasion of Europe and the French Croix DeGuerre.

After fighting in southern France, Rome, Anzio, Salerno and throughout Italy, he was honorably discharged in 1946. Known for his story telling, his war stories are chronicled in the archives of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. and in the Robert Jackson Memorial Library in Jamestown, N.Y.

In 1948, he joined the Russell Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as chief and was a member of the first ambulance crew for the department using a hearse for rescues.

For 30 years, John served as president of the Pine Grove Cemetery Association, where he was instrumental in establishing various war memorials throughout the cemetery. Nearly every Memorial Day since 1948 he could be seen assisting in the raising of the flag during the memorial service, standing at attention saluting the country he was proud to serve.

A carpenter by trade, John and his brother, Ronald formed Stanton Brothers Construction in 1964 and built many homes throughout Warren and Chautauqua counties. He attended the Russell United Methodist Church and currently was a member of Praise! Fellowship of Russell.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Dec. 21, 2012; a sister, M. Lucille Olson; a brother, H. Ronald Stanton; and great- granddaughter, Kayla Grace Zwald.

He is survived by a daughter, Trudy Stanton Haight of Russell, Pa.; two sons: Bradley and wife, Annette of Russell, Pa., and Dean and wife, Marie of Warren, Pa.; five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; several step grandchildren, stepgreat- grandchildren and step- great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews also survive.

Friends may call at the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home Inc., 304 East St., Warren, Pa., on Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, from 4-8 p.m., and on Friday, Aug. 10, 2018, at 10-11a.m., at Praise! Fellowship of Russell. A funeral and committal service will be conducted Friday, Aug. 10, 2018, at 11 a.m., with his daughter, the Rev. Trudy Haight, former pastor, officiating. Full military honors will be conducted by members of the Clarendon/ Sheffield Veterans of Foreign Wars Funeral Honor Guard and the U.S. Army Funeral Detail. Interment will be in Pine Grove Cemetery.

Those wishing to submit e-mail condolences may do so by visiting www.lewis funeralhomeinc.com.