Joseph C. “Jodie” Standfast. 84, of Chanute, died Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012 at his home.

Joseph was born in St. Paul on Feb. 25, 1928, the son of Joseph John and Marie Siemer Standfast. He joined the United States Navy in 1946 and served for two years.

He was united in marriage to Betty Cunningham on May 8, 1950 in Dodge City. They moved to Chanute in 1954.

Jodie worked for Sunshine Biscuits until 1968. He later trained in St. Louis, Mo., as an air traffic controller. They moved to St. Paul in 1974 where he transferred to the Chanute Airport to continue his work as an air traffic controller until his retirement in 1988. In 1995 they moved to Florida and lived there 10 years to be near their children and grandchildren, returning to Chanute in 2005.

While living in Florida he was a member of the V.F.W. Honor Guard and the Volusia County Citizens on Patrol Program. He had the honor in 2004 of placing the wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Betty; his children, son Joe Standfast and his wife, Judy of Deland, Fla., daughter Mary Beth Wells and her husband, Freddie, East Palatka, Fla., and son Jamie Standfast of Port Orange, Fla.; seven grandchildren, Lee Wells and his wife, Fumiko, Joseph Michael Standfast, Virginia M. Wells and David Ballard, Tammy Ann Brophy and her husband, Mike, Jody Ray Wells, Andrew Standfast, and Steven Standfast; eight great-grandchildren, Amber and Tiffany Wells, Raymond Wells, Joseph Ballard, Jace Wells, Marijane Standfast, Hayden Brophy and Tanner Brophy; and two sisters, Rosalia Macher of St. Louis, Mo., and Mary Walker of Augusta.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, John and Paul, and sisters, Anna Marie Wirthlin and Clara Mae O’Hanlon.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 7 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Chanute.

Rosary will be recited this evening at 6:30 p.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Chanute.

Memorials in his name may be made to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Chanute, the Prairie Mission Retirement Village in St. Paul, or NARFE Alzheimer’s Research, c/o Helen Reedy Federation Alzheimer’s Chairman, 1799 Laurel Ave., St. Paul, MN 55330, and may be left with the funeral home.

Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

To leave a special message for the family on line, visit www.PenwellGabelChanute.com