My Grandpa Glenn passed away December 23, 2009, and his funeral was held on December 29, 2009. I'm so glad Rob and I were in town to see him before he passed and to attend all the beautiful services. My dad gave an incredible talk on the Plan of Salvation, and my Uncle Greg Stapley gave an amazing talk about Grandpa's life history. The hymns sung were "Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel", "Savior, Redeemer of My Soul", "Because I Have Been Given Much", and "Count Your Many Blessings." It was a truly amazing meeting. One thing that stuck out to me was how rambunctious my grandpa was. I never knew! He always seemed straight as an arrow! I'm so glad I was able to visit with him more than usual this year and really appreciate him and his life.
There were so many people there who loved and admired my grandpa -- it made me feel so special to be one of his granddaughters. At the cemetery, he had a special military service where a hymn was played on the bugle, and then an American flag which was laid atop his casket was folded very respectfully and given to my grandma as a token of thanks, respect, and love. It was really special to watch her accept the American flag. Afterward, we all walked around the cemetery to see all the Stapley and Killian family gravestones. I had no idea they were all buried there right next to each other. There had to be like 20 or more ancestors of mine all in one spot! It was really neat and truly taught me how important family is in this life and that we need to keep the commandments to be in the highest glory together.
Grandpa Glenn was a great man. We already miss him dearly!! We are so lucky to have the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation and eternal families. It makes parting with our loved ones so much easier, and at times we can even feel peace and joy. For that I am so grateful. I know I'll see my grandpa again, and I'm excited for him to be embarking on the next stage of life.
Here is a copy of his obituary:
Stapley, Glenn Orth
84, of Mesa, Arizona passed away on December 23, 2009. He was born in Mesa, Arizona October 25, 1925, the son of Estella Vance Stapley and O. Glenn Stapley, and the grandson of one of Mesa's founding fathers, Orley Seymour Stapley. He grew up in Mesa and the Encanto Historical District of Phoenix, attending Kenilworth School and North High School, graduating in 1943. He enlisted immediately upon graduating from high school, successfully competing to be in the Navy's new V-12 college program for officer training. He later transferred to the Navy's Pilot Training Program, where he was serving at the end of the WWII. He served a two-year religious mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Southern United States. Upon returning home, he graduated from A.S.U. in business, and married Marian Eve Killian of Mesa in 1951. He worked in his family's business, the O.S. Stapley Company, as a director, store manager and operations manager. While with the Stapley Company, he was named Chairman of the Board of Directors for Goodwill Industries of Phoenix, and was instrumental in opening a new Goodwill in Tucson. Additional community service included membership in the Sertoma Club of Phoenix, many years as the representative for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to the National Conference of Christians and Jews (NCCJ), and service as a trustee of the Madison School District in Phoenix. He returned to ASU to pursue a degree in Architecture, later joining the architectural firm of George H. Schoneberger as an architect and the business manager, and ultimately becoming a partner there. He also served on the Board of Directors of Greater Arizona Savings and Loan, and was its chairman at the time of its sale in 1972. He was elected as Maricopa County Treasurer in 1972, where he served for the next 20 years. During his service to the County, he was on the leading edge of developing and implementing new computer technologies to modernize and improve the efficiency of the County's recordkeeping, collection and investment mechanisms. His foresight and business acumen in this regard were nationally recognized, and he was named Treasurer of the Year in 1990 by the National Association of County Treasurers. He also served as president of the Arizona Association of Counties. Throughout his life, Mr. Stapley served in numerous capacities in the Church, including a term as bishop. He enjoyed spending time with his seven children, their spouses, 28 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, a brother, and his seven children and their families. Services will be held on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4640 E. Holmes, Mesa, Arizona. Arrangements are being made by Meldrum Mortuary, 52 N. Macdonald, Mesa, Arizona.
Glenn Orth Stapley
