CITY NEWS In Rememberance

John "Joe" Staller Mayor of Plankinton

Jan. 10, 1951–Dec. 17, 2022

John “Joe”  Staller, 71, of  Plankinton, SD,  passed away  Dec. 17, 2022,  at Sanford  Hospital in  Sioux Falls  surrounded by  his family.

John Joseph  Staller was born Jan. 10, 1951, in  Plankinton, SD, to Edwin and Arlene  Staller and joined older siblings Delwin  and Cheryl. Joe attended school in  Plankinton, where he graduated in

1969. He was united in marriage to  Sherry Tobin on May 3, 1974, and the  union was blessed with two daughters,  Heidi and Melissa.

Joe was a respected and decorated  Navy veteran. His service included a  variety of assignments, including the  Panama Canal Zone, the Antarctic  Development Squadron, minesweeping  operations following the Iran/Iraq war,  and Fighter Squadron 124 - the largest  squadron in the US Navy. His fi nal duty  was with the Naval Dental Center in  San Diego as Command Master Chief,  where he retired in 2001 after 30 years  of service.

Joe and Sherry moved back to Plankinton  in 2005 where he committed his time to  making Plankinton the best community.  He spent numerous hours behind the  scenes to support the community that he was so proud of. He was a volunteer  with the Plankinton Fire Department, an  active life member of VFW Post 655,  a member of American Legion Post 5,  and a member of the United Methodist  Church. He had served on the city  council and was currently serving as  mayor of Plankinton.

Joe did not miss a patriotic holiday.  He put flags up in the community  and prepared the cemetery to honor  veterans. He took great pride that his  grandchildren were by his side to honor  veterans; they could often be seen  displaying fl ags on Main Street with  grandpa.

Funeral services were held Dec. 27  at the United Methodist Church in  Plankinton. Burial was at Mizpah  Cemetery in Plankinton. Arrangements  by Bittner Funeral Chapel. ■