Patrick J. Stapleton

Patrick J. Stapleton of Caro, age 90, passed away on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at Covenant Health Care – Cooper in Saginaw. Pat was born February 15, 1933 in Caro, the son of the late James C. and Florence (Wilkins) Stapleton. He graduated from Caro High School with the class of 1951 and attended Central Michigan University for a time before enlisting with the U.S. Navy during the Korean War where he was stationed in Japan and California. Following his honorable discharge in 1957, he returned to CMU. Pat worked several jobs before beginning a thirty-six-year career with the United States Postal Service, first as a clerk and later as a rural mail carrier. He retired in 1995, but continued to serve as a bus driver for Caro Community Schools until 2008 after thirty-three years of service. Pat was united in marriage with Carol Barrow on August 24, 1963 in Caro, and the couple celebrated sixty years of marriage earlier this year. Pat was a member of St. Christopher Parish in Caro, and was a former vice president of the Caro Jaycees where he was instrumental in developing its baseball program. When his children were younger, he was active with the Cub Scouts in Caro. Pat had a musical ear, was a talented violinist, and was part of a dance club with Carol for many years. He also enjoyed bowling, hunting, fishing, and annual summer camping trips with his family.

Pat leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Carol; three sons and their spouses, Chris & Beverly of Florida, Jeffrey & Amy of Howell, James & Judy of Cass City; three grandchildren, Jeffrey, Ryan, and Emma; two great-grandchildren, Kylah and Gracie. In addition to his parents, Pat was preceded in death by one son, Patrick L. Stapleton; siblings, James Stapleton, Veronica Humes, John “Jack” Stapleton, Marguerite Simerson, Raymond Stapleton, Rosellen Stapleton, and Genevieve Kothe.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 11, 2023 at St. Christopher Parish, Sacred Heart Church in Caro with Rev. Christopher Coman officiating. Military honors under the auspices of the U.S. Navy and the Caro American Legion Post #7 will follow the service. Committal services will be held later in the day at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Caro. The family will be present to receive friends at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a prayer service to conclude the evening. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to the St. Christopher Parish Food Pantry or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.