Michael A. "MJ" Stanilla, Jr.

Michael A. Stanilla, Jr., 23, of Lebanon passed away on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at MS Hershey Medical Center surrounded by his loving family after a three-week battle with necrotizing pancreatitis. Born on October 24, 2000, in Shakopee, Minnesota, Michael, or “MJ” as many knew him, was the son of Michael A. Stanilla and the late Tammy L. (Wilman) Stanilla and Denise Stanilla. He was a graduate of Cedar Crest High School’s Class of 2019. He attended Thaddeus Stevens College in the automotive technology program. MJ was most recently employed for Flagger Force as a flagger; a job he really enjoyed. He attended St. Mark Lutheran Church in Annville with his grandparents. He was an Eagle Scout with Boy Scout Troop 439 where he served as an Assistant Scoutmaster. He was also a Vigil Honor Member of the Order of the Arrow, the Boy Scouts National Honor Society. His Vigil Honor name was Thundering Gentle Bear. As a youth he volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House, Hershey, PA, and enjoyed helping the residents of Londonderry Village, Palmyra, PA. MJ had many interests. As an avid Vikings and Dodgers fan, he enjoyed sports, Disney World, traveling to Mexico and Europe, exotic cars, music, heavy metal concerts, video games, and was known for his sneaker collection. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his sister Elizabeth Diffenderfer and her husband Christhian Sosa of Philadelphia, his brother James Diffenderfer (Sophie Allen) of Philadelphia, niece Emilia Sosa, nephew David Sosa, paternal grandparents Peter and Donna Stanilla, uncles Brian Stanilla (Stephanie Wolfe) and Jack Rissmiller (late aunt Michelle Rissmiller), aunts Kathy Eckenroth (late aunt Joyce Garee) and Elaine Eckenroth, and many great aunts, uncles, and cousins. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 10AM at Kochenderfer Church, 1105 Kochenderfer Road, Lebanon. Interment will be in Grand View Memorial Park, Lebanon. There will be a viewing on Friday, November 10, 2023, from 6PM – 8PM at the church. There will be an additional viewing on Saturday morning from 9AM until 10AM at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Friends of Camp Mack please send donations to: PO BOX 56 Landisville, PA 17538 or Friends of Camp Bashore please send donations to: 1003 Stanford Drive, Lebanon, PA 17042.

Michael A. "MJ" Stanilla, Jr.

October 24, 2000 - November 4, 2023