Carlyle Staffon

Carlyle Leroy Staffon, age 87, of Duluth, passed away August 21, 2013, at Heritage Haven surrounded by his family. He was born Nov. 16, 1925, to Archie and Florence Staffon in Mpls., MN. He graduated from Mpls. South High in 1943. His mode of transportation was a 1931 Harley motorcycle. He joined the U.S. Navy during World War II and served as a signalman on a destroyer with the 7th Amphibious Fleet. He survived the sinking of his ship by two Japanese Kamikaze planes during the battle for the Philippines. After the war he returned to Bemidji, and attended Bemidji State Teachers College. He also attained his private pilot's license in seaplanes. He married LaVonne Ione Nelson in 1948. They moved to Chicago, Ill. where he received radiology training at Cook County Hospital. He worked for 7 years at St. Mary's Hospital in Huntington, W. VA. He served 10 years as chief x-ray tech. at St. Joseph's Hospital in Brainerd, MN, and 23 years as director of radiology department at St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, retiring in 1988.

Carl was a family man and he and LaVonne loved to travel. They took their children on summer vacations across the country in a camper trailer. He also loved hunting and fishing with his family, and trips were taken every year to pursue ducks, deer, grouse or walleyes. He also enjoyed taking care of his yard and gardening, woodworking in his garage, and remodeling the house. He was active in the Society of Radiological Technologists since 1950, was a member of the American Legion of Bemidji and a lifetime member of the VFW 137, Duluth. Carl was a volunteer for Meals-on-Wheels for 23 years. He was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd since 1966, serving twice on the church council. With pride, Carl participated in the Honor Flight Northland for veterans to Washington D.C. in September 2012.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents and his wife. He is survived and will always be missed by his loving family including daughter Lauriann (Mark) Shefchik of Duluth; sons Alec (Barb) Staffon of Duluth and Richard (Carol) Staffon of Cloquet; grandchildren Christine (Jon) Graham, Heather (Aaron) Kreager, Teresa (Jake) Staffon, Amanda (Naveen) Yadav, Leif (Jill) Staffon, Thomas Shefchik, Daniel Shefchik, and Beth Shefchik; great grandchildren Jocelyn Smythka, Braden and Ronan Kreager, Madelyn Graham, and Jack Staffon; and brother Richard (Carmen) Staffon of Brooklyn Park.

Visitation: 10 AM Wednesday, August 28, 2013, until the 11 AM funeral service at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1325 N. 45th. Ave., E. Military honors will be accorded by the Duluth Honor Guard. Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery. Memorials directed to Honor Flight Northland or to Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd would be appreciated. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, Duluth, 727-3555.