Submitted by his wife and daughter

Mike Stanley was what many rural mid-Missourians would call a ‘good ole hometown boy.’ He was born‚ raised and lived his entire life in Salisbury‚ Missouri. He graduated from Salisbury High School in 1968 and was then drafted into the United States Army. Mike served in the 5th Infantry as an E-4 in the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged in 1971. He was employed by the City of Salisbury as Park Supervisor and served as a Volunteer Fireman for the Salisbury Fire Department for nine years. He received his Firefighter I & II certification in 1997 from the Missouri Department of Public Safety Division of Fire. That same year‚ he completed more Firefighter I & II training and received the University of Missouri-Columbia Vice-Provost’s Certificate from the Fire & Rescue Training Institute and the University of Missouri-Columbia Extension Division.

Everyone that met Mike liked him and there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for anyone. He never complained about hard work and often said a little sweat never hurt anyone. Besides going to work every day‚ he always helped get daily household chores done like finishing up a load laundry or doing the breakfast dishes. On weekends‚ Mike usually found time to relax and do the things he enjoyed doing‚ but not without checking to see if there was a job anyone else needed help with first. Whether he was working or out with his family and friends‚ he always had a good time and made the best of any situation which caused those around him to do the same.

Mike took pride in everything he did and had in life. He lived by the standard ‘Don’t just half do anything and you might as well do a good job if you’re gonna do it.’ He loved the outdoors and in the summer would spend most of his time doing yardwork or just piddling with stuff in his shed. His biggest pride by far though was his family. He and his wife‚ Jaleta‚ were married for twenty-seven years and have one daughter‚ Jennifer.

Mike passed away on March 15‚ 2003‚ while responding to a grass fire. He is survived by his wife‚ daughter‚ parents‚ a sister and several aunts‚ uncles‚ cousins‚ nieces‚ nephews and in-laws.