Staats, J. Frank

Passed: 1942-05-30

Age: 84

Source: Jackson Herald

Death Notice: 1942-06-03

Obituary Date:

Information: DEATH CLAIMS AGED CITIZEN-When J. Frank Staats, more familiary known to thousands as ""Uncle Frank"", died at nine o'clock Sunday night, a voice which had thrilled thousands with song, was silent in death and the last surviving member of a large pioneer family in Jackson county was gone.  ""Uncle Frank""s going had been expected.  His condition had been critical for days but the constitution and the body which had carried him through 84 long years was strong and he would sink into the valley of the shadow and come back, but finally, as the Sunday evening shadows were enveloping the Tug Fork valley which he loved so much and of which he had so long been a part he crossed the Great Divide there to meet and mingle with those of his own generation who had preceded him.  Two years ago he suffered a slight stroke at his home in Ripley, where he had come after the death of his wife seven years ago.  He recovered somewhat but was never able to lead his choir which he so much enjoyed doing and those who knew him best could see that he was gradually failing and becoming more feeble as the days passed on.  Then last January he suffered another stroke and for days it seemed that it would be impossible for him to live long but after a time he was brought from the Charleston hospital to which he had been taken and his granddaughter, Mrs. Urada Chancey, cared for him during the days that intervened until the time of his death.      He held the distinction of serving the people of Jackson county for two terms as Assessor and was always interested in public affairs.  A Democrat in politics, his friends and supporters were in no wise confined to his own party and he himself numbered friends among every class of citizens.  He was a native of the Tug Fork section of the county, a son of Isaac Staats.  When a young man, he married Miss Sarah Casto of that community, and they had three sons, Dr. Oshel C. Staats of Ripley, Attorney Carter W. Staats, of Ripley and C. L. Staats, of Fairplain.  The wife preceded him in death seven years ago.  He was a member of the Christian Adventist church and thru out his long life had been a useful citizen in the community in which he lived.  The funeral services were held at the Siniaville church at Staats Mills on Tuesday morning at ten-thirty with Rev. T. O. Powers, his life-long friend, in charge and burial was in the Siniaville cemetery.  Rev. Irvin Fisher and his choir furnished the vocal music and the Vail Undertaking Company had charge of the funeral plans.