Pastor Warren Doyle Staton, Sr., 87, of Fort Wayne transitioned to his great reward on Friday, March 1, 2013 at his daughter''s home surrounded by his loving family after a short bout of pneumonia.

Born in Rockingham, North Carolina, he was the eighth child of nine and the son of the late Chester T. Staton and Adeline (Dunlap) Staton. He served in U.S. Army in Germany during World War II from 1943 to 1946. He was a faithful servant and minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ for over 50 years. He was married to the love of life, Birdie Staton, for 57 years before her untimely death on May 2, 2008.

Pastor Staton considered it a real privilege to serve and pursued opportunities to spread love and joy. If you could describe his character in one word that would be "OTHERS." If you asked him how he was doing, he would always respond with just one word, "MARVELOUS!" He served churches in Indianapolis; Erie, Pennsylvania and Buffalo before coming to Fort Wayne in 1974.

Pastor Stanton served on boards and committees of Allen County Council on Aging, Citizens for Decency and the Old Fort Y.M.C.A. He had been VP of Clergy United for Action and Policy Advisory Committee. In 1983, he took office as chaplain of the Allen County Jail under Sheriff Daniel F. Figel for seven years. He was Pastor Emeritus and founder of Victory Fellowship Church of God, now named Destiny Life Center. He blessed many with his wonderful embrace.

He leaves to cherish his memory and mourn his loss; his devoted daughters, Karen Staton of Fort Wayne and Cynthia Staton of Atlanta, Georgia; son, Pastor Warren, Jr. Staton of Fort Wayne; grandchildren, Jarobi (Delores) Newsome of Hyattsville, Maryland., Tacoma (Darrell) Perry of Atlanta, Georgia and Chinaus Webb of Jacksonville, North Carolina ; one brother, Alonzo Staton of New York City; and a host of family, friends and a loving church.

A Celebration of Life service is 5 p.m., Friday, March 8, 2013 at Destiny Life Center, 3601 Warsaw Ave, Fort Wayne, with visitation and open mic at 5 p.m. and a Praise service from 6 to 8 p.m. Entombment at Covington Memorial Gardens. Preferred memorial are to the church.