Glenn E. Staggs

Glen Staggs

Glenn Edwin Staggs peacefully passed away February 16, 2014, in Centerville, Iowa, after a brief illness. Those who loved him will miss him greatly and will remember him fondly as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

Glenn was born in May 1929 to Orval and Lillie (Schreibeis) Staggs in Omaha, Nebraska. After having lived in Sheridan, Wyoming, for several years, the family moved in 1941 to the Staggs family farm in Putnam County, Missouri. Glenn attended school in Unionville, graduating from Unionville High School in 1947. Glenn and Mary Susan Husted, daughter of Murl and Martha Husted, of Unionville, married in June 1949.

Glenn attended the University of Missouri, graduating in 1951, and was commissioned into the United States Air Force. He served in administrative duty in Missouri, Iceland, and Michigan until he attended and graduated from pilot training. His first flying assignment was in California, flying the C124. He then flew Special Air Mission Duty in Washington, D.C. For three years, he was entrusted with flying many dignitaries, including Henry Kissinger, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Jacqueline Kennedy, and Lyndon B. Johnson.

Glenn served as chief pilot in Vietnam (1966-1967), flying the C123. From his combat experiences there, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star and the Air Medal. He went on to ROTC duty in North Dakota and then in Alabama where he was also the personal pilot to the ROTC Commandant. Retiring in 1974 as a lieutenant colonel, Glenn was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

Upon entering civilian life, Glenn became an active member of Unionville’s business community. He served as Putnam County Chamber of Commerce president and as a presiding judge of the Putnam County Circuit Court. Glenn and Mary Susan eventually moved on to Colorado to enjoy the scenery and to pursue business opportunities there. Their grandchildren loved to visit them there and Grandpa loved it, too. When Glenn and Mary Susan returned to Unionville to stay, Glenn specialized in raising Red Angus cattle on the Staggs family farm.

Glenn joined the First Methodist Church of Sheridan, Wyoming, and later changed his membership to Unionville’s United Methodist Church. He was a fifty-year member of the Unionville Masonic Lodge No. 210 A.F. and A.M. and a lifetime member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Glenn is survived by his children Martie (Dennis) Fast, Golden, Colorado; John Staggs, Unionville, Missouri; Stephanie (Tom) Fowler, Unionville, Missouri; eight grandchildren: Andrea Fast, Steven Fast, Jessica Staggs Olson, John Fowler, Erin Fowler Stober, Dr. Elizabeth Fowler Sheybani, S. Katie Fowler, and David Fowler; and six great grandchildren. Glenn is also survived by his brothers-in-law, Buzz Husted and Dr. Fred Husted. Preceding Glenn in death were Mary Susan, his parents, his brother Lafon, and his granddaughter, Amy.

According to Glen’s request, his body was cremated and there will be no services.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Union Church Cemetery or the Unionville United Methodist Church and may be entrusted with Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.