April 15, 1929-May 17, 2026

John Stonesifer, 97, passed peacefully May 17, 2026, surrounded by loved ones.  He completed his mission on Earth and will continue spreading his joy in the heavens above. He left his indelible legacy for all of us. His lifelong service to his country, and his community will not be forgotten. He served his country as a Petty Officer, First Class, Naval Aerographer and as a NASA civil servant during the nation’s most incredible exploration achievements.  He helped usher in the establishment of NASA as a part of the Space Task Group out of Langley, Virginia.  He then moved his young family to Houston for the formation of NASA’s Manned Spacecraft Center, now the Johnson Space Center. He helped forge what is now the blueprint for recovery of American astronauts completing their space missions. He was instrumental in the recovery of the first men who stepped on the moon. In his Friendswood community he would never turn down an opportunity to help his fellow neighbors and youth organizations; also serving with his wife and other parishioners as founders of Mary Queen Catholic Church.

                John was born in Hanover, PA in 1929. He was the eighth of nine children of Robert Wirt and Edna Grace Trostle. He attended Gettysburg College where he studied physics and threw the javelin, nearly qualifying for the Olympics. He joined the Navy and spent time in North Africa. After the Navy he enrolled at the University of Miami where he met the love of his life Marguerite Vigneron on Miami beach. They married in January 1956. He and Marguerite were devoted parents who instilled strong values of and modeled unconditional love. After raising their children, they spent their years traveling the seven continents of the world and 92 countries, embracing new cultures and enjoying the beauty of the places they visited. They also treasured the precious time they shared with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Throughout his life John enjoyed his favorite pastime of golf with the best of friends.   

John is survived by his wife of 70 years, Marguerite and, his four children: Kurt and his wife Laney Stonesifer and grandsons Connor and Karl and his wife Kristian and great grandson Ares Stonesifer; Marlene and husband Michael Grivon, granddaughter Nicole Ray and husband David, great grandsons Lucas and Andrew, grandson George and wife Emily Grivon and great grandsons Michael and Evangelos, and great granddaughter Joanna, grandson Alex and wife MaryMichael Grivon, great granddaughter Olympia and great grandson John Michael; Greg and his wife Ashley Stonesifer, grandson Kyle and his wife Samantha Stonesifer and great grandson Reece, grandson Pierce and his wife Anna Stonesifer and future great grandson; Jill and her husband Brad White, grandson Harrison and partner Samantha, and great grandsons Max and Remy, and granddaughter Hailey White. 

Special thanks to his exceptional caregivers Melissa, Olga, Mery, Ashley, Stephanie and Blanca. We are deeply grateful for the compassionate care and respect you have shown our parents. Your kindness, dedication, and support have brought our entire family peace of mind that will always be remembered.

Friends and family are cordially invited to the Visitation on Thursday, May 21, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Jeter Memorial Funeral Home, 311 N. Friendswood Dr. Friendswood, TX 77546. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, May 22, 2026, at 10:30 AM, at Mary Queen Catholic Church, 606 Cedarwood Dr. Friendswood, TX 77546. Interment will follow at 3:30 PM at Forest Park East Cemetery, 21620 Gulf Fwy, Webster, TX 77598.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mary Queen Catholic Church Food Pantry. Maryqueencatholicchurch.org