John Staller
Dates
January 10, 1951 - December 17, 2022Obituary
John “Joe” Staller, 71, of Plankinton, SD, passed away Saturday, December 17, 2022, at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Tuesday, December 27, at the United Methodist Church in Plankinton. Burial will be at Mizpah Cemetery in Plankinton. Visitation will be Monday from 5-7:00 PM at Plankinton United Methodist with a 6:30 PM prayer service. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.
John Joseph Staller was born January 10, 1951 in Plankinton, SD to Edwin and Arlene Staller. He was welcomed home by his older siblings, Delwin and Cheryl. Joe attended school in Plankinton, where he graduated in 1969.
Upon graduation from high school, he joined the Navy in June 1969. After graduating from basic training, he attended Yeoman “A” school. He was then assigned to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, Fifteenth Naval District, Fort Amador, Panama Canal Zone. His next assignment was with Antarctic Development Squadron SIX, homeported at Quonset Point, RI. He made two deployments to McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Joe separated from the Navy in March 1973.
Joe returned home to Plankinton where he was united in marriage to Sherry Tobin on May 3, 1974. Shortly after, Joe decided to return to active duty in October 1974. His next assignment took him to the USS Jouett homeported in San Diego, CA. During this time his first daughter, Heidi was born.
Following this tour, he was selected for Flag Writer School at Fort Benjamin Harrison Indianapolis, IN, during which time he was blessed with another daughter, Melissa. His next tour of duty was with Staff, Chief of Naval Operations Test and Evaluation. During this tour, he was selected for Chief Petty Officer and assigned to commander Amphibious Group Eastern Pacific. His next assignments were with Commander Naval Surface Force U.S. Pacific Fleet as Flag Writer for the Deputy Commander and then the Commander. His next duty assignment took him aboard the USS Okinawa where he completed three deployments including minesweeping operations following the Iran/Iraq war. He was selected for Senior Chief during this time.
Staying at sea, he next reported to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 113. He made two deployments on board the USS Independence. Returning to shore duty, he reported to Fighter Squadron 124, the largest squadron in the US Navy. During this tour he was promoted to Master Chief Petty Officer. This next tour brought him aboard the USS Chancellorsville as Command Master Chief. His final duty was with the Naval Dental Center in San Diego as Command Master Chief, where he retired in 2001 after 30 years in the service.
He earned numerous awards during his time in the military including: Navy Commendation Medal (3 awards), Navy Achievement Medal (5 awards), Navy Unit Commendation Meritorious Unit Commendation, Battle “E” (3 awards), Good Conduct Medal (8 awards), National Defense Service Medal (2 awards), Antarctica Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Sea Service Deployment (6), and Kuwait Liberation Medal. He was also Enlisted Surface Warfare and Air Warfare qualified.
Upon retirement he worked for Vanguard Industries in Carlsbad, CA. In February 2005 Joe and Sherry moved back to Plankinton where he volunteered with the Plankinton Fire Department until 2020. He was an active life member of VFW Post 655. He did not miss a patriotic holiday. He put flags up in the community and prepared the cemetery to honor Veterans. He took great pride that his grandchildren were by his side to honor Veterans, they could often be seen displaying flags on Main Street with grandpa. He is a member of American Legion Post 5, as well as a member of the United Methodist Church. He had served on the City Council and was currently serving as Mayor of Plankinton. He was proud to commit his time to making Plankinton the best community. He spent numerous hours behind the scenes to support the community that he was so proud of.
He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He greatly enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s events and spending time with the love of his life and making every moment count. Joe was dedicated to serving his country and community. He left a lasting impression on everyone he met. He will greatly be missed by all.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Sherry of Plankinton; daughters, Heidi (Neal) Utesch of Moville, IA and Melissa (Cordell) Davis of Plankinton SD; grandchildren Taiylor and Kaylee Utesch of Moville, IA, Carter, Abby, and Kenzie Davis of Plankinton, SD; sister, Cheryl Bachmeier of Renton, WA; sister-in-law, Irene Staller of Rapid City, SD; brothers-in-law, Ronnie (Sandy) Tobin of Plankinton, SD, Perry Tobin of Wessington Springs, SD, and Rick (Deb) Tobin of Woonsocket, SD; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Edwin and Arlene Staller; brother, Delwin Staller; grandparents, John and Marie VanWormer, and Joe and Rachel Staller; mother-in-law and father-in-law Darwin and Eileen Tobin; and great-niece, Shandra Tobin.
Visitation(s)
Monday, December 26, 2022
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
6:30 PM Prayer Service
Plankinton United Methodist Church
210 E Rd
Plankinton, SD 57368
Service
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
10:30 AM
Plankinton United Methodist Church
210 E Rd
Plankinton, SD 57368
Cemetery
Mizpah CemeteryPlankinton, SD
Rest In Peace, Master Chief…we have the watch.