John D. Gifford, age 95, of Springfield, died peacefully on June 25, 2007, in Christian Health Care East. He was born on a dairy farm in upstate New York on January 9, 1912, the son of Elihu and Lena (Leigh) Gifford. He was preceded in death by his parents and his three brothers, Herman, Gordon and William Gifford. John is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary Ellen (Stapp) Gifford; two sons, John Leigh Gifford and wife Marcia and Charles N. Gifford and wife Brenda. He was the beloved grandfather of John Mark Gifford, Marcy Gifford, and Jenny Stoecker (Robert) and great grandfather of Isaac and Elizabeth Gifford and Jake Stoecker. Other survivors include several nieces and nephews and a host of wonderful friends. Mr. Gifford was a geologist, having earned degrees from Syracuse University and Oklahoma University. His career was evenly divided between the Oklahoma oil fields and teaching earth sciences in colleges in Oklahoma, Missouri and Illinois. John loved "The Glory of God in Nature" and enjoyed imparting this to his students. During World War II he took time out from his career to serve as a civilian instructor in airplane hydraulics. John and his wife Mary Ellen retired to Springfield in 1978, where they became members of Schweitzer United Methodist Church. They have also been active in several organizations including Friends of the Library, the Ozarks Genealogical Society, Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution and the Mayflower Society. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 29, 2007, in Klingner-Cope Family Funeral Home at White Chapel, 5234 W. State Hwy EE, Springfield, MO 65802. There will be no formal visitation but friends may call a half hour prior to the service beginning at 10:30 am at the funeral home. In lieu of plants and flowers, contributions may be made to Community Hospice of America, 1465 E. Primrose, Springfield, MO 65804 or to the charity of one's choice. Online condolences can be made at: www.klingner-cope.com
(SPRINGFIELD NEWS-LEADER, June 28, 2007)