James Michael Standefer

Just found out you died and an so heart broken as you saved my life when I was 21 in Ft Smith Arkansas at Sparks Memorial hospital. Came in with severe headache and you found water on my brain performed and put in a Hydrocephalus shunt. I'm now 55 and a foster mom of 5 after I raised my own 8. I appreciate you giving me my life back. I wish you peace in the after life. Blessed be for all your service too others.

I just found out today about the loss of Dr. Standefer. He made a total difference in my life after two surgeries. He was a wonderful person . My prayers and thoughts are with his family

Watching Michael and his family face the challenges of ALS with dignity, resolve, and grace has been a remarkable testament of faith and strength of a family. The dedication to the health, life and well-being of others had an immeasurable outreach over the course of Dr. Standefer's career, and will continue to ripple throughout the stories of those families, communities, and professions that he served from now on. As my dearest friend, and her sons, have held, shared, cried, and laughed with their husband and father in those last precious days, I saw courage unparalleled as each breath was a statement of love and a desire to give his all. Be at peace, Michael.

Doctor Standefer was a wonderful and caring man a wonderful surgeon who cared very much for others. I am so sorry to hear of his passing my thoughts and prayers to his family.

I saw this from a friend of Mikes passing .I am truly sorry to hear of his passing. I have not seen him since we where kids. We use to have so fun when playing. Sorry we never met and became friends. God bless you and prayers for peace . I am his first cousin. My mother was his dad's sister.

I worked with Dr. Standefer at St Edward he was an awesome surgergeon and will be missed greatly. So sorry for your loss.

Dr. Standifer got my husband back on his feet and walking after a vertebrae "blew out" and paralyzed him. I remember hearing him whistling as he burst into the room, excited that he could fix Jerry, and fix him he did! We will forever be grateful for his talent and skill and knowledge. Our deepest sympathy to you. Blanche & Jerry West, Fort Smith, AR

I worked with Dr. Standefer at Sparks. He was a wonderful physician and will be missed. So sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Carol McCartt

Diane and boys, I am so sorry to hear of Dr. Standifer's passing. You and the boys are in my thoughts and prayers. Love and Hugs.

An awesome surgeon and man. You took great care of your patients and they loved you for it.You will missed both personally and professionally. Prayers to your family.

My heart is heavy this morning. I had the privilege of being Dr. Standefer's patient twice for back surgery. His talent was remarkable, combined with his knowledge, dedication, compassion, he was one of God's wonders. My thoughts and prayers are with you now and in the time to come.

I worked with Dr. Standifer at Sparks Medical Center in Ft Smith. He also did surgery on a dear friend of mine, saving her life. He was a fine man and a wonderful doctor. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

I'm so saddened to learn of Dr. Standefer's passing. He was my neurosurgeon when my back was broken in a sledding accident in 2011. He put me back together. Without him, I wouldn't be walking today. My prayers & deepest condolences to his family.

Diane, we are deeply saddened to learn of Mike's passing, and extend our sincerest sympathy. He was a fine man and so very talented. May God comfort all of you.

I had the privilege of working with Dr Standefer, and having him do my surgery. He was a wonderful person and surgeon. He and his skill will truly be missed. My condolences to your family.

Diane,
We are deeply saddened by the passing of your husband. Our deepest sympathy from the Welcome Neighbor Club. We are all keeping you in our prayers.

Dear Diane, Sean, Peyton and Colin
I am deeply saddened by Dr. Standefer's earthly departure. He has helped a lot of my patients, he was a gift to all of them. He has touched a lot of lives as a neurosurgeon, his leaving will be missed in the field of neurosurgery and in the medical community. You will all be in our prayers, may the happy memories you have with him and of him ease the pain of his loss.

Carter, Yolanda, Jonathan and Veronica Kimbrough

I worked with Dr Standefer and then had the privilege of being his patient. He was kind and compassionate. He made a difference in people's lives on a daily basis. He had a bedside manner that is rare he truly cared. Prayers for the family and God bless!

Our condolences to Dr. Standefer's family. He was a remarkable man and surgeon. He literally saved my life 17 years ago. He was a very compassionate and caring doctor and person. Highly thought of by MANY people/patient's. May peace be with your family.

Diane, we are very sorry for your loss. Sincerest condolences to you and your boys, Trevor Hodge

I am terribly saddened to hear of Dr. Standefer's passing. I scrubbed with him for several years at Mercy in Ft. Smith and learned so much from him. He was a good man and a great surgeon. I am very sorry for your loss.

I had the privilage of having Dr Standefer as my neuro surgeon when I was in desperate need of brain surgery. My family and I will always thank God for this , wonderful man that used his God - giving talent to help and heal others. God bless you all with His peace.

Dear Diane,

I am so sorry to learn of your husband's death. You, Colin, and your sons and grandson will be in my prayers.

He was an exceptional neurosurgeon and a caring person. My deepest sympathies to the family. ,

My late husband Bob Cohen and I counted Dr. Standefer as a friend. He was an excellent physician and will be dearly missed. I extend all my love to his family, staff and patients.

Lady Jane Cohen (Fort Smith, AR)

5 years ago today Dr Standefer operated on my husband. The results were not at all what any of us had hoped for. The weeks, months and years that followed, Dr Standefer was a very big part of our lives. He never stopped trying to find a reason for the bad outcome and he never stopped caring. He made us feel as if he took us home with him every day, looking for answers. Not only did he have my husbands best interest at heart, he also had considerable compassion for me and our daughters. He was an amazingly caring doctor and person, and we will never forget that. We are so thankful that he was there with us and for us at such a difficult time.
We will continue to lift your family in prayer as we know a huge void has been left in your lives. May the Lord bless each of you and cover you with comfort and peace.

Diane,
I just wanted to give you my deepest sympathies. I'm so glad we found each other on Facebook because I could see what a rich life you have with your husband and family. Keep your memories close and your family closer. May God be with you and your family.

Love to my old, dear friend,
Marcia Hancock Paluska

While I never had the privilege of working with Dr. Standefer, I have been told many wonderful stories. Many coworkers have fondly remembered him at Mercy in Fort Smith. I know he was a compassionate man. May God wrap his arms around your family and bring you peace and comfort.

Dearest Diane, We are sorry for your loss of a loving husband and a good family man. We pray peace will be with you and your sons and all of Mike's family.

My condolences to Dr. Standefer's family he was a extraordinary man and talented neurosurgeon. I started straight out of nursing school into the ICU at Mercy and I learned so much from Dr. Standefer and later when I went to work at ARORA I got to work with him even closer and always admired his compassion with patients families in the worst time of their lives. He will be missed.

A competent,wise, courageous, excellent man & neurosurgeon, who I was honored to know & share practice with.Technical & intellectual expertise unmatched. Prayers & kind considerations to Diane & the family.

His many patients were a testament to his professionalism and competence as a neurosurgeon, following him from Fort Smith to Northwest Arkansas. He set a high standard of care for all the nursing staff at Mercy (St. Edward's in Fort Smith). May God bless his soul with eternal peace.

I am a former patient of Dr. Standefer. He performed a laminectomy on my L4 30 years ago (Sparks in Ft. Smith) the year I turned 30. He did an awesome job, and it has made a major difference in my life. I just wanted to offer my condolences to the family, and pay my respect to a great man who made a difference in people's lives. Thank you.

So sorry to hear of the loss of a great surgeon and wonderful human being.

So sad to lose such a wonderful man and such a talented Doctor! He changed my life, and several of my family members. He will be greatly missed, by many! God bless
his family.

The office of Dr James Cheshier sends our condolences!!!! We always appreciated the care Dr Standefer and Diane gave to our patients!! Our prayers are with you!

Paul & I are very saddened by loss of a great man. I was a nurse in his FSM clinic for several years & witnessed many miracles performed by this man. I will eternally be grateful for the experience of getting to work with such a highly respected man. God Bless Diane & the children. May you rest in Peace JMS!

The world was a better place because of having Mike. Losing him is a terrible loss for all of us.

Ramona Roberts

Mike was an exceptional person. He will be missed by all of us who knew and loved him. My prayers and sympathy to Diane and his sons!

Wonderful caring man and physician. He will be greatly missed.

Asa and I are terribly sad at your loss. You were great together. Mike's devotion to you and y'alls sons was obvious. We cherish your friendship. May GOD carry you through your sorrow. May your sweet memories lift your spirit. Love,

We are so sorry to hear of DR. Standefer's passing . My husband Dr.Bert Main worked with him for 15 years at Mercy . He was an excellent Doctor as well a very nice person to work with. He will be missed in the community. We will pray for each of you during this difficult time . God Bless you, Dr. Bert Main and Kimberly Main