Phares G. "Sonny" Stauffer

MOUNT PLEASANT MILLS - Phares G. "Sonny" Stauffer, 69, of Steffen Valley Road, went home to be with his Lord on Wednesday, July 15, 2009, at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, from injuries suffered in a farming accident at his home.
He was born Dec. 12, 1939, in Selinsgrove, a son of the late Phares O. and Lizzie (Gehman) Stauffer. On May 26, 1961, he was united in marriage to the former Erma F. Neitz, who survives. His passing breaks a loving marital union of 48 years.
He was educated at the Kantz Grammar Schoolhouse.
He was a part-time carpenter in his early years. Starting in 1981, he owned and operated the Phares Stauffer Custom Retail Butcher Shop at RR1 Mount Pleasant Mills, retiring in 2005. During most of his years of working, he was engaged in farming. Following his retirement, he and his wife, Erma, assisted their children in the operation of the continued family butcher shop business and the farm.
Mr. Stauffer attended both Ebenezer Bible Church, Selinsgrove, and St. Thomas Independent Brethren in Christ Church, Mount Pleasant Mills. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.
Family times were cherished by Mr. Stauffer, especially those spent with his grandchildren and his great-grandson. He enjoyed hunting and farming, and he loved to be actively working with the family business.
In addition to his wife, Erma, he is survived by five children, Donna J. Wolf and husband Craig of Port Trevorton, David L. Stauffer and wife Amelia, Diane L. Smeltz and husband Dale and Debra L. Carnahan and husband Ronald, all of Mount Pleasant Mills, and Darren L. Stauffer and wife Ivy of Middleburg; 11 grandchildren, Heather Wolf, Ryan Wolf, Aleshia, Clayton Smeltz, Trent Smeltz, Jody Muncer and husband Christopher, Brandy Carnahan, Amber Carnahan, Kirsten Stauffer, Collin Stauffer and Caden Stauffer; one great-grandson, Jaden Muncer; two brothers and two sisters, Martha Martin and husband Ira of Port Trevorton, Harvey Stauffer of Middleburg, Sally Stauffer and husband Walter of Selinsgrove and John Stauffer and wife Alice of Mount Pleasant Mills; two brothers-in-law, Paul Good of Port Trevorton and Ray Good of Selinsgrove; one sister-in-law, Catherine Stauffer of Selinsgrove; and several generations of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded by one brother, Titus Stauffer, and two sisters, Anna Mary Good and Ida Good.
The family will receive friends for the visitation from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday and 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, followed by the funeral at 11, all at St. Thomas Independent Brethren in Christ Church, Mount Pleasant Mills, with the Rev. Roger L. Womer officiating, assisted by the Rev. Raymond D. Neitz.
Burial will be made in Ebenezer Bible Church Cemetery, Selinsgrove.
Should friends desire, memorial gifts may be directed in loving memory of Mr. Stauffer to Susquehanna Health Foundation, 1001 Grampian Blvd., Williamsport, PA 17701-1946, or to the Ronald McDonald House of Danville, which lovingly cared for the family of Clayton Smetz, Mr. Stauffer's grandson, during his illness, at P.O. Box 300, Danville, PA 17821.
The George P. Garman Funeral Homes Inc., 9366 Route 35, Mount Pleasant Mills, has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.