Stanley James Spayer

1930 - 2023

Stanley James Spayer
Born: November 23, 1930 in DePue, Illinois
Died: August 30, 2023 in Peru, Illinois
Stanley James Spayer, 92, of DePue, passed away peacefully, comforted by his daughter, on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at Manor Court in Peru.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, September 7, 2023, 11 a.m. in St. Mary Catholic Church, DePue, with Fr. Kevin Creegan officiating. Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, DePue, with full military honors by the Ladd American Legion Post 938, accompanied with Taps by his great grandson, Brayden Bernardi.
His family will receive friends from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. Thursday in The Chapel of The Fiocchi Funeral Home, Cherry. Private online condolences may be left for his family at www.FiocchiFuneralHomes.com.
Stanley was born in DePue on November 23, 1930, to Stanley Frank and Mary Elizabeth (Studzinski) Spayer. He was the youngest of their 11 children. He married Wilma Graham on September 12, 1953. They had eloped to Marseilles, as she was attending Nurses Training.
He proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from 1947-1951 at Cherry Point, NC, having attained the rank of Corporal. He was awarded the Rifle Sharpshooter Qualification, specialized in Aviation Photography, and spent 5 months onboard the USS Coral Sea (CVB-43) during the Korean War.
Stanley worked at Caterpillar Joliet, Bassick's Spring Valley, the Joliet Penitentiary as a guard and as a Newborn and Wedding Photographer. He ultimately found his career at J&L and retired from LTV Steel in Hennepin.
He was an active community member, belonging to St. Mary Catholic Church, DePue, the DePue VFW, and affiliated with the Knights of Columbus Father Marquette Utica Council #1775 and Starved Rock Assembly #191 as a 4th Degree Honorary Life Member. Sir Knight, Stanley held various official roles, including Worthy Grand Knight, and was often seen attending important civic and church events, in full regalia, with the Honor Guard.
He was fascinated by antiques and collectibles and attracted to the road less traveled, following signs to local sales and auctions. He loved to tell stories about his experiences, share memories of family vacations and fishing trips, going window shopping for things you can't have, giving advice on saving for the future, driving 100 miles just for a cheese sandwich, to ask if you had any watches for sale, and was always "doing all-right for an old man."
He is survived by: his daughter, Margaret (James) Bernardi of Ladd; 3 grandchildren, Ben (Rebecca) Bernardi of North Aurora, Brianna (Matthew) Rebholz of Peru, and Sara (Troy) Burd of Spring Valley; 8 great grandchildren, Brayden, Bradley, Flynn, Nicholas, Lillian, Madison, Elliott, and Macy who knew him as "Grandpa The Great"; and his sister, Elizabeth "Betty" (James) Kastello of Dalzell.
He was preceded by his parents; his wife on August 26, 1992; a grandson, Brian (Sarah) Bernardi; two sisters, Florence Nissle and Sophie Liesse; and seven brothers, Edward, Theodore "Ted", Leonard, Walter, Henry, Raymond, and Francis at birth.