of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of formerly of Ann Arbor and Grass Lake
Age 88, passed away Saturday, August 22, 2026 at Henry Ford Hospital in Jackson. He was born October 13, 1937 in Marion, Illinois, the son of John Wesley Quayle Stafford and May Mamie Pedigo. In 1953, the Stafford family moved to the Ypsi/Ann Arbor area.
John graduated from Ypsilanti High School in 1956. In 1967, he created John Stafford Carpentry and served in the Ann Arbor area for more than 50 years. He always loved the City of Ann Arbor and specialized in the Old West Side. John was very artistic and creative, with a gentle, sweet spirit. He loved old tractors, and was a member of the Jackson Tractor club. John took his Farmall tractor across the Mackinac bridge during the Mackinac Bridge Antique Tractor Crossing. His favorite TV shows were “bitchin’ rides” and old Westerns. John enjoyed his music, including Neil Diamond, Glen Campbell, and Hank Williams. He spent his last few years of retirement living with his love Nancy Layton, and his precious angel dog Maddie. John loved his children and grandchildren, along with his 1948 Chrysler, 1988 Cadillac.
He is survived by his sons, John David (Spring) Stafford of Grass Lake, Daniel (Melanie Kania) Ponstein of Houston, TX, Jordan (Kelly) Ponstein of Jackson; two daughters, Tracey Lynn (Ben Dortch) Schultz of Fort Worth, Texas, and Mariann (Jay) Stafford of Descanso, California; step-sons, Mark (Trish) Melton of Mountain Home, Arkansas; two brothers, Thomas (Marilyn) Stafford of Chelsea, and Lowell (Mary) Stafford of Ypsilanti; and three grandchildren, Shane Melroy Stafford, Nicole Ann Stafford, and Charles Daniel Ponstein. He was preceded in death by his premature twin daughters in 1960, and his brother, Stanley Ivy.
Services are pending at this time.
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