Cheri L. Stanton

Cheri L. Stanton, 78, of Monmouth, IL passed away on Monday, February 16, 2026 at her home.

Cheri was born July 12, 1947 in Monmouth, the daughter of James G. and Mable L. (Gilbert) Fillman. She was raised and educated in Monmouth, graduating from Monmouth High School in 1965.

After high school, Cheri worked for Hubie Hedrick at the Sunset Restaurant and then joined the United States Navy. She was stationed at NAS Jacksonville where she worked in Air Operations processing flight plans. This is where she met her first husband, Russell Clayton. When they got out of the Navy, they moved to Monmouth for five months, before returning to Georgia where she had her son Andy.

Cheri graduated from Valdosta State College and started teaching third grade in Georgia at a K-12 school. She was there for two years before she and Andy moved back to Monmouth. Cheri got hired to teach fifth grade at Harding. She got her Master’s Degree from WIU in 1982. She taught third grade at Willits School, where she retired from the Monmouth School District after a total of 34 years in education.

Cheri married Jonathon Gill Stanton in Monmouth at the American Legion on June 2, 1990 and he passed away on July 16, 1998.

Cheri was most proud of her gift of community service at the local, state, and national levels. She served on the United Way Board, Special Olympics Board for Area 4 representing the American Legion, Children and Youth Programs, President of Unit 136 multiple times and held many chairmanships for the Auxiliary. On the state level she was 14th District Commander twice, 3rd Division Commander, Department Chair of Children and Youth Services, worked with Operation Military Kids through the Legion, in charge of the Hospitality Tent for State Games for Special Olympics, and staff member every year for Girls State held at Eastern IL University. Every year at the American Legion State Convention she was the Sgt-At-Arms on the stage. She was also a member of the 20/4 honorary society of the Women Legionaries. On the national level Cheri served every year as the special assistant to the National Sgt-At-Arms at the American Legion National Convention. In 2017 Cheri was the first female Commander for the State of Illinois.

Cheri enjoyed spending time with her son, grandchildren, and family, especially cooking for them. When she wasn’t cooking and serving meals with her legion ladies’ auxiliary or taking food to the teachers’ lounge, she was cooking for her Fillman Family gatherings. She felt her biggest compliment was to take food to a gathering and come home with an empty pan. Cheri also loved reading and going to the movies.

Cheri is survived by her son Andy Clayton, grandchildren Samantha Clayton, Megan Clayton, and Jacob Oas; her brother Don (Kathy) Fillman, and sister-in-law Anita Fillman.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her brother Joe Fillman, and her sister Margaret Swain.

Cremation has been accorded. Memorial Services will be 11:00 am Sunday, March 8, 2026, at the Monmouth American Legion. A private family interment will take place at a later date. Memorials may be given to the Monmouth American Legion. McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth in charge of the local arrangements.