Arvid Clayton “Stan” Stanfill 89, passed away in his home in New Carlisle on Friday evening, June 1st, 2018, having lived what he proclaimed a “full and wonderful life”. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Barbara (Hoke) Stanfill; his son Bruce (& Marga) Stanfill of San Antonio, TX; daughter Susan (& Col Kurt, USMC (ret. )) Brubaker of Alexandria, VA; and 7 grandchildren: Catie (& Randall) Dixon, CPT Sarah Brubaker, MD, USA, Andrea (& Rene) Castro, Erich Brubaker, Carla Stanfill, ETN2 Daniel Stanfill, USN, and Brenda Stanfill.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis Miller and Sarah (Martin) Stanfill of Elk Valley, TN, his sister Gertha Marlar Cox and brother Charles Stanfill; four brothers remain: Tommy, Lonnie, Frank, and Howard. As a teenager growing up in the mountains of Tennessee, Arvid survived a hunting accident—a shotgun blast that nearly cost him his left leg—and persevered to a full recovery such that he was able to enlist in the US Army in 1949. He was selected for Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt in 1951, serving in the Panama Canal Zone during the creation of the US Army’s Jungle Warfare School until his Honorable Discharge in 1954 as a 1st Lieutenant.
He attained the rank of Captain while serving in the Reserves. He returned to Dayton, OH, and hired on as a foreman with Frigidaire, where he had worked on the assembly line prior to joining the Army. He was introduced to Barbara Catherine Hoke in August 1964 at a private dinner hosted by mutual friends; the couple were married just 3 weeks later, on August 26.
They soon purchased a house on N. Church St. in New Carlisle and have resided in the same home ever since. His family fondly recalls sitting with him on the front porch, whether it was listening to the rain as it fell onto the roof while counting between the lightning flash and the thunder clap, or just watching the world go by on a sunny day. Following his retirement from General Motors in 1985, Arvid became an avid golfer and was frequently seen at area courses, particularly Locust Hills in Springfield where he was a member for many years.
While he was probably best known for his unorthodox line-up and swing when driving off the tee (which sometimes had new playing companions diving from their carts), he also liked to recall his 4 lifetime holes-in-one. However, he did not pass on his love of golf to his children and grandchildren. Instead, he taught them the value of hard work and sacrifice, loyalty to family and friends, and stubborn persistence to overcome any obstacle, injury and hurt.
We will never forget his wit and dry sense of humor which he maintained up to the very end. Arvid’s family would like to express our extreme gratitude to the nurses and staff of the Hospice of Miami County, whom we have come to respect, appreciate, and love over the past one and a half years. They unceasingly provided exceptional attention and care, resulting in the opportunity to make many more happy memories than we ever thought would be possible.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 9th, 2018 from 4:00-6:00pm at Trostel-Chapman Funeral Home in New Carlisle. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Hospice of Miami County (www. hospiceofmiamicounty.org).
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