Harold Stafford

MALDEN, Mo. -- The funeral for Harold Dean "Birdie" Stafford of Malden will be held at 2 p.m. today at Bradshaw Funeral Home. The Rev. Richard Blagg will officiate. Burial will be in Rosewood Cemetery, with military rites to be conducted.

Stafford, 67, died Saturday, July 20, 2002, at Three Rivers Health Care North Campus in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

He was born Sept. 27, 1934, at Malden, daughter of Theodore and Gertie Paul Stafford. He was raised by foster parents Mann and Ruth Crowder. He and Betty Hoggard were married Feb. 13, 1971, at Malden.

Stafford was retired from Brown Shoe Co. He served eight terms on Malden City Council.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Kristi Burks of Jackson, Mo., Ruth Stafford of Malden; two brothers, Jerold and Jack Stafford of Malden; a sister, Margaret Burge of Malden; and a granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by a brother and a sister.