Obituary of Alice Joy Stasko

Alice Joy Rohrbach was born in Adrian, Michigan on November 14, 1930. She was the youngest of seven children born to Jacob and Clara (Keller) Rohrbach. Alice was a graduate of the former Petersburg High School in Petersburg, Michigan.

On January 27, 1950 she wed the love of her life, Chester Stasko, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church (now Light of Christ Parish) in Deerfield Michigan. The couple enjoyed sixty-seven years of marriage and were blessed with three sons. A loving wife and mother, Alice took great pride in caring for her home and family. A friend to all, she always put the needs of others before her own.

In 1976, Chester’s employment brought the family to Tupelo, Mississippi where they remained until his passing in 2018. Proud of her husband’s service to our country in the United States Navy, Alice became a member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary in Tupelo. While living in the South, she learned to cook traditional recipes such as fried catfish and hushpuppies. Her family also enjoyed her delicious homemade noodles, standing rib roast, cinnamon rolls, and biscuits and gravy. Alice kept her landscaping lush with beautiful flowers. She was especially fond of her Amaryllises and Roses. Alice also tended to a vegetable garden, which she put to good use in her homemade meals.

After moving back home to Michigan, Alice resided at Eagle Springs Retirement Community in Dundee, where her neighbors became her second family. She often attended Mass at St. Irene Catholic Church in Dundee and dined out every Friday with her many friends. Alice enjoyed trying her luck at bingo, playing Euchre, Sequence, and Left Center Right with her friends and family, and challenging herself to jigsaw puzzles. While relaxing at home, she frequently tuned in to old games shows and played along with the contestants on Jeopardy. Alice also enjoyed laughing with the “Golden Girls” and cheering on the Detroit Tigers and Lions teams and the University of Michigan football team.

Alice Joy Stasko, age 93, of Dundee, Michigan, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday; April 9, 2024. In addition to her parents, her passing was preceded by her husband: Chester Stasko; her son: Samuel Stasko; three sisters: Elizabeth Rohrbach, Ester Lockwood, and Gertrude Sontag; three brothers: Ken Rohrbach, Jacob Rohrbach, and Wesley Rohrbach; and her beloved canine companion: “Snoopy”, whom she and her husband had adopted from the Humane Society.  

To cherish her memory, she leaves her two sons: Michael (Wendy) Stasko of Dundee and Chester “Chet” (Cathy) Stasko of Aberdeen, Mississippi; four grandchildren: David Stasko (Ashley Morrison), Jennifer (Justin) Wilson, Alyssa (Austin) Crawley, and Josh Stasko; two great grandchildren: Gabriel and Isabelle Crawley; and several nieces and nephews.

Alice will lie in state on Friday, July 12, 2024 from 10:00 to 11:00am at Light of Christ Parish, St. Alphonsus Catholic Church; 222 Carey Street, Deerfield, Michigan 49238. A Memorial Mass will take place at the church at 11:00am followed by a procession to St. Alphonsus Cemetery in Deerfield for burial. Alice’s care has been entrusted to Merkle Funeral Service, Dundee; 297 Tecumseh Street, Dundee, Michigan 48131 (734) 529-3156. Cremation has taken place through Covenant Cremation of Erie, Michigan, a division of Merkle Enterprises, Inc.

Memorial contributions may be made to Elara Caring Hospice; 1136 Country Club Road, Suite A, Adrian, Michigan 49221. Alice’s family has a special “thank you” to Danielle and Tracy for the their excellent care and support. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.