John Robert Stanley

An American hero has gone before us. Mr. John Robert Stanley, age 92 of Deckerville and formerly of Hazel Park, passed away on March 30, 2022 at Autumnwood of Deckerville. John was born on the family farm on January 3, 1930 to the late Elbert Ezra & Dora Mae (Rogers) Stanley. He grew up in Arlington, Kentucky with his siblings, Elmer Ezra, Opal Mae, Mershel (Duke), James (Sic), Joseph (Honey), William (W.T.), and Mary. At an early age he was given the nickname Pete. John was no stranger to hard work and providing for his family. At the age of 13, he got a job in the hemp fields to make rope for the war. To support his family John found odd jobs around the town. He often reminisced about days where you used straw for pillows and made your own peanut butter so you had something to eat. John soon moved to Michigan for better work and found a job at Chrysler. He quickly took a liking to a beautiful young gal across the street, Ruth Ann Franzel. Even though he unintentionally stood her up on the first date, they were married on September 16, 1950, first by the justice of the peace and then subsequently a year later at Saint Dominic’s in Detroit, after John became a Catholic. Before Ruth Ann’s passing in 2020, they celebrated their seventieth wedding anniversary. Soon after they were married John was drafted into the U.S. Army. He first served at the Occupation of Japan with the 34th Division. He then was transferred to the conflict in Korea with the 40th Division, 160th Regiment and served as a platoon leader. Later in years Sgt. Stanley finally opened up about his service. He was a part of the famous battle of Heartbreak Ridge, where 250 soldiers went up the ridge and only 50 came down. He was one of the 50 that came down off of the ridge. He immediately wrote a poem of the bloody battle and would recite it at local events later in life. After the war, John and Ruth Ann moved to Hazel Park and resided there for 63 years. John worked for 30 years at Chrysler Corporation. He was a lifelong member of Saint Mary Magdalene Parish in Hazel Park. John loved Detroit Tigers baseball, beating friends in Euchre, and was recently named Farkle Champion! He was a member of the Ubly Lions Club and the American Legion. Most recently, John was honored as a Duke of Paducah (Kentucky) and previously as a Kentucky Colonel. He took great pride in both of these honors. While John was not known for being the most talkative, he was known for writing poetry, organizing his memoirs, and listening to old country music. John is survived by his sister-in-law, Jan Stanley of Owensboro, KY; brother-in-law, Noble Keith Brown of Bardwell, KY.; special friend, Irene Cole of Deckerville, MI; many other relatives and friends, especially his nephew, Justin Faber of Deckerville, MI. John was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Ann, parents, siblings, and his brothers and sisters-in law: Henry Franzel, Frank Franzel, Cecelia Pearson, Michael Franzel, Edward Franzel, Stella Peters, Earnest Franzel, Lincoln Franzel, Cornelius Franzel, Steven Franzel, Marie Younglove, and Robert Franzel. He is now forever reunited with his daughter, Jacqueline Glass. Mass of Christian burial for John will be 10:00 am Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at Saint Ignatius Catholic Church, Frieburg (1800 Cumber Road Ubly, MI). Father Nate Harburg, pastor of Good Shepherd Parish of Ubly will officiate. Interment will be at the White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery, Troy, Michigan. Friends may gather to visit and celebrate John’s life from 8:00-9:45am Tuesday morning at St. Ignatius Catholic Church. John believed in helping the less fortunate his entire life. If you have the means and would like to donate in John’s memory, please consider two of his favorite charities, the American Legion or the Ubly Lions Club.