From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] MULKEYTOWN -- Michael Stafko, 65, passed away at 2:04 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, 2014, at his home with his loving family at his side. Michael was born Sept. 27, 1948, in Royalton, to George and Evelyn (Childers) Stafko. He married Valeria Jean Issler Oct. 4, 1968, in Christopher. Together they enjoyed 45 years of marriage. She survives in Mulkeytown. Other survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Michelle and John Steven Vaughn of Carterville; a son and daughter-in-law, Chad and Heather Stafko of Freeburg; his mother, Evelyn Stafko of Royalton; a brother and sister-in-law, Carl and Raylene Stafko of Royalton; six grandchildren, Blake, Haden, Carter and Maryn Vaughn of Carterville and Tyler and Camden Stafko of Freeburg; a niece, Jill (Stafko) McKinney, a nephew, Jon Stafko, all of Royalton; two great- nephews, Nicholas and Cole McKinney and many close friends. He was preceded in death by his father, George Stafko. Mike graduated from Zeigler-Royalton High School in 1966. Mr. Stafko was a Deacon of the Church of Christ at Minor in Mulkeytown. He proudly served his country in the Ninth Infantry in Vietnam War and was stationed at Schofield Barrack Army Base in Hawaii until he was honorably discharged in October of 1970. Upon returning home, Mike worked at the Blue Bell Packing Company in Du Quoin. He then was employed as a roof bolter by Old Ben 21 Mine for 13 years. Mike continued working seven more years as mine examiner for Kerr McGee Mine in Galatia. Mike was an avid gardener, hunter and fisherman with a great love for the outdoors. He especially enjoyed attending his children's and grandchildren's ball games. Services for Mr. Stafko will be at 1 p.m., Friday, April 18, in Vantrease Funeral Home in Zeigler, with Brother Don Wright officiating. Burial with military honors courtesy of the Zeigler and Orient American Legions, the West Frankfort VFW and Marion National Guard flag detail will be at Zeigler Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc., 204 Halfway Road, Marion, IL 62959. Published in The Southern Illinoisan on Apr. 17, 2014