Donald Roy Stanforth

Donald “Whitie” Stanforth was born in Galesburg, IL on July 12, 1926.  He passed away February 5, 2018 at the age of 91 with his family at his side.

Whitie was one of 7 children born to David Emmet Stanforth and Ethel May Ray.  He has one brother still living, Willard Stanforth (Maylou) of Platte, South Dakota.  He was preceded in death by his other siblings, Zella, Ray, David, Marge, and Marion.

Whitie was drafted into the Navy while still in high school and served our Country on the USS Phobos  from 1944-1946.

After returning from service and while living at the YMCA, he met Shirley Doran.  They married on December 30, 1949 in Galesburg. After receiving his B.S. from Western Illinois University, they moved to “Sunny California” in 1954. They were married 31 years before Shirley passed away March 4, 1981 of cancer. They had one daughter Dory Merkwan (married Tod Merkwan) of Huntington Beach, CA.

Whitie was not only blessed with one long and happy marriage, but two.  He married Betty Haydis on November 26, 1983 in Yorba Linda California. Whitie and Betty were married 29 years until Betty passed away March 10, 2013. Betty had 3 grown children from a previous marriage. Chrissy Haydis of Salinas, CA, Mark Haydis ( Janet) passed away June 2006, Lynn Reinheardt  (Al) of Eagle Point, OR.

Whitie had several grandchildren and great grandchildren. Scott Merkwan, Michael Haydis (Jessica), Kadie Haydis, Mark Haydis, Madison Haydis, Julia Romito (Kevin), Lily Romito, Luca Romito.

Whitie worked in the lab at ARCO Oil Refinery in Carson for 30+ years.  He was an avid golfer and spent much of his time at Meadowlark Golf Course in Huntington Beach.  He and Betty took many golf trips with friends and family all over the world after they retired.

Whitie always loved spending time with his family BBQing and just being together.

Although Whitie lived with Alzheimers/Dementia for the past 15 years, he always greeted his visitors with a smile and most times was ready with a compliment of “what a nice person you were” or how much “he liked you”.  We will miss him tremendously.

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