H. Alvin Stauffer

H. Alvin Stauffer, age 82 of Lynden, went peacefully home to be with his Lord and Savior surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, Feb. 15. Born Harvey Alvin Stauffer on September 23, 1928, he was the son of Ira and Mabel (Ericson) Stauffer. He grew up in Lynden and attended Lynden High School where he met the love of his life, Judy Breen. They were married in 1949 and last year celebrated 61 years of marriage. Alvin and Judy raised their family in Whatcom County where he operated a dairy and chicken farm and worked a second job as a milk hauler. Alvin later worked for Western Farmers selling fertilizer and dispatching the corn planters. This led to a third career in sales for Oltman Insurance in Bellingham where he became the owner and also served as President of the Independent Insurance Agents Association. Alvin was also active in many community organizations having served on the Board of Sunrise Baptist Church and Lynden School Board, along with Toastmasters, Gideons, PTA, DHIA Dairy Federation and particularly Lions International. He was a member of the Bellingham Lions Club and helped form the Lions Club in Lynden where he served as President and Zone Chairman. He also volunteered with Camp Horizon and his love of music led him to singing with King's Men of Song of Lynden for many years. Alvin is survived at home by his wife Judy, children Guy (Marsha) Stauffer in Oregon, Ann (Vance) Medina of Bellingham and Don (Paulina) Stauffer of Lynden; 16 grandchildren along with 30 great-grandchildren with 2 due in 2011. He is also survived by sister Marjorie (Claude) Loveall of Colville, WA and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his parents, Alvin was preceded in death by sons Karl and Craig and his sister Virginia. Visitation hours will be from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., on Thursday, Feb. 17, at Gillies Funeral Home in Lynden. Memorial funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, Feb. 19, at 2:00 p.m. in Sunrise Baptist Church, 2480 W. Badger Road. Private burial will be in Greenacres Memorial Park. Memorials in Alvin's name may be made to Whatcom Hospice Foundation, 800 E Chestnut, Suite 1C, Bellingham, WA 98225; Gideons International, Whatcom Camp, PO Box 882, Lynden, WA 98264 or to Sunrise Baptist Church, 2480 W Badger Rd., Custer, WA 98240. You are invited to share your memories of Alvin by signing the online guest book at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com Services are under the care of Gillies Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Lynden