Calvin Harold Stoney

Calvin Harold Stoney, known as Cal, passed away at the age of 88 on August 6, 2025, at Delnor Community Hospital in Geneva, IL. The best example of a man, husband, father, and friend, he leaves behind a legacy of kindness, dedication to family, and impactful professional work in philanthropy and education. His life was marked by a deep love for his wife Judy, his children, grandchildren, and friends, as well as a passion for service and community involvement.
Cal married Judith Raber on August 27, 1960. For nearly 65 years, theirs was a beautiful love story. Cal's final words expressed his love for her. His favorite t-shirt said, "Nothing Scares Me, I Have Three Daughters." The kind of father every child deserves, Cal blessed his daughters with guidance, unwavering support, and kindness throughout the ups and downs of life, always there with advice, and a shoulder to lean on. Surrounded by women his entire adult life (including his dogs and cats), Cal was thrilled to bond with his sons-in-law over Chicago Cubs and Bears games. HIs "team" of guys expanded to include five grandsons, whom he loved immensely, and he absolutely loved and adored his three granddaughters, great-granddaughter and two bonus granddaughters. His extended family also included decade long friends: the Peases, Bowers, Clinins, Turleys, Bakers, Shields, Fords and Jacksons.
Cal was born in Morris, Manitoba, Canada, the son of Harold Cassius and Irene Elizabeth (Schmidt) Stoney. He learned the value of working hard on the family farm in Clinton, WI. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Carroll University and went on to complete a master's degree at the University of Central Missouri. He also received an Honorary Doctorate for his outstanding work in the philanthropic sector from Lincoln Memorial University.
Cal's extensive career was rooted in service to others. He began his work in higher education at Westminster College as Director of Public Relations and a faculty member in Speech Communications. He continued his work in higher education advancement serving as Associate Director of Development at Vanderbilt University, Director of Development at Lawrence University and Chief Development Officer at Marquette University before joining the consulting firm, then known as Gonser Gerber Tinker Stuhr (now Gonser Gerber), in 1979.
In his almost 40 years as a consultant, Cal provided consulting services to a wide variety of higher education institutions, including independent and Catholic schools, healthcare institutions, and not-for-profit organizations. His expansive expertise in communications, public relations, fundraising, and Board development enabled his clients to achieve phenomenal fundraising results and build stronger advancement programs. His impact on the field of Advancement through his counsel, writing, speaking, and mentoring was transformational to his clients and advancement professionals, and left a legacy of excellence in the industry that continues to influence the profession. Cindy Jayne, his Executive Assistant for 30+ years, was family, too, and even after his retirement in 2017, she continued to support him! In retirement, Cal was instrumental in helping the Aurora Public Library Foundation raise funds to build the Richard and Gina Santori Public Library of Aurora and lent his expertise to other local libraries and organizations. He enjoyed mentoring other Development Officers, sharing his expertise and fostering growth in the philanthropic sector.
Cal was a Chicago Cubs fan since his youth. His allegiance to them never wavered no matter what, and we all whooped for joy when they won the world series in 2016. He genuinely wanted that to happen in his lifetime! Golf was another passion along with a good Dewars on the rocks!
Cal is survived by his beloved wife Judith; three daughters, Cheryl (Michael) Mora, Laura (Richard Weichenhain) Stoney, Elizabeth (David) Schield; ten grandchildren, Zachary Neumann, Jacob Neumann, Samantha Neumann, Bradley Mora, Cassandra (Stephen Patterson) Mora, Liam (Olivia) Gardiner, Declan Gardiner, Addison Schield, Hailey Schield, Payton Schield; a great-granddaughter Blayke Gardiner; and sister Ruth Irene Birkholz. He is preceded in death by his parents.
His optimism was so meaningful in a world that can so often be challenging. So please - take the time to enjoy a card game with your child (he and Laura loved playing Gin Rummy), laugh with your friends, eat ice cream (vanilla being his absolute favorite!), lend a helping hand, share your knowledge to help others, and even if you are not a Cubs fan, please shout out to them for a successful season in Cal's memory! So many people have been richly blessed by this man of such character and integrity. The world needs more Cal's. He will be deeply missed. May he rest in peace until he is reunited with his loved ones. Until then, he will be a shooting star shining brightly for all of us to see.
The memorial service is at 4:00 PM on Friday, August 15, 2025, at Moss Family Funeral Home, 100 S 3rd St, St. Charles, IL 60174 followed by a celebration of his life at his daughter's home in Batavia (address provided at the memorial service). Visitation is scheduled to begin at 2:00 P.M. and will continue until the commencement of the memorial service at 4:00pm at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Cal's memory may be made to Berea College, the first integrated, co-educational college in the South, which has not charged students tuition since 1892. Berea College, one of Cal's earliest clients, supports underprivileged students. https://www.berea.edu/