A Celebration of  Life for Craig Stapleton, 61, of Jefferson, will be held 11:00am Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at First Presbyterian Church, Jefferson, IA.  Visitation will be held 4:00 – 8:00pm Tuesday at the Raccoon Valley Golf Course clubhouse, Jefferson, IA.  A memorial fund will be established in Craig’s name and donations should be mailed to his family, or to Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home, Jefferson. 

Craig Meredith Stapleton, 61, gave up the fight and peacefully let go of this world early in the morning of February 28, 2008 at Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson, Iowa.

Craig was born on September 28, 1946, in Des Moines to Mary Meredith Stapleton and Mathew Henry Stapleton.  He attended elementary school in Des Moines and moved to Jefferson in 1957 where he graduated from high school in 1964.  A member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, he graduated from Iowa State University.  Craig served his country as a First Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps.  He returned to Jefferson where he lived and worked the remainder of his life, most recently as president of Ideal Stock Tanks.

On June 24, 1989, Craig married the love of his life, Shirley Ann Thoreson.  Together with their son David, they enjoyed family vacations, activities with extended family, and life in Jefferson.  Craig and Shirley never missed David’s baseball games or musical events.  Craig had many friends with whom he enjoyed playing cards and taking golf and skiing trips.  He was an avid reader and sports fan. Go Cyclones!

Craig was a lifelong member of the Greene County Community Players.  He was active in Jaycees, Rotary, Raccoon Bend Golf Club, and Jefferson-Scranton Boosters.  He was 32nd Degree Mason and a member of ZA GA ZIG Shrine.

Craig was preceded in death by his parents, his brother-in-law J.R. Grenier, and his father-in-law Curt Thoreson.  Craig leaves his wife Shirley, son David, and sisters Lynn Steele of West Des Moines, Ann (Ken) Schmidt of Ames, Jane Stroud of Ankeny, and Sue Grenier of West Des Moines.  He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Beryle Thoreson of Story City, brother-in-law Vern (Lori) of Ellsworth, and sisters-in-law Arlie (Jay) Willems of Anamosa and Teresa (Mike) McCormack of Rochester, MN.  Nieces and nephews include: Jackie Coyne, son Gus, and fiancé Scott Fruhwirth of Forest City; Adam Coyne of Glenwood Springs, CO; Katy (Kelly) Calvert and son Dakota of LaGrange, GA; Meredith (Bob) Dohmen and son Will of Des Moines; Matt Steele of South Korea; Mary (Wade) Myers and children Madison and Tate of Iowa Falls; Nate (Maggie) Willems of Lisbon; Megan Willems of Boston, MA; Spencer Willems of Columbia, MO; Torin McCormack of Bemidji, MN; Garrett McCormack of Ames; MacKenzie McCormack of Rochester, MN; Jody (Ed) Flores and daughters of Ellsworth; Jennie Feaker of Ellsworth; and Jayson (Kelly) Feaker and children of Ellsworth.  Craig will be missed by his extended family, fraternity brothers, and many friends.