Jack Charles Stanley

Jack Charles Stanley, age 88, of Robinson, Illinois, passed away on December 28, 2025. He was born on October 5, 1937, in Robinson at Allen Baptist Sanitarium, the son of Charles Orville Stanley and Hattie Mae Osborn, both of whom preceded him in death.

Jack married Marylin Faye Knapp on April 15, 1995, and she preceded him in death on December 6, 2020. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Kathleen Helen Kenefake and Mary Ellen “Jane” Sult.

He is survived by his children, Jay Stanley, Christie Noblitt, and Matt Stanley; his stepdaughter, Kim Knapp; as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Jack grew up in Robinson and graduated from Robinson High School with the Class of 1956. Raised in the Methodist faith, he converted to Catholicism at the age of 19. In the late 1950s, he spent time at St. Francis Seminary in San Diego, California.

He enlisted in the United States Army on September 29, 1960, and was transferred to the Army Reserves on June 17, 1961, in order to help care for his father and family during his father’s battle with cancer. Jack was honorably discharged from the Army Reserves on August 31, 1966.

In 1962, Jack graduated from meat cutting school and worked in that trade for several years in the Champaign, Illinois, area until a work-related accident interrupted his career. He then returned with his family to Robinson, where he performed carpentry and handyman work before spending more than a decade employed at Bradford Supply Company. After marrying Marylin, Jack spent his final working years in Newton, Illinois, cutting meat at the Newton IGA, before returning to Robinson and retiring.

A lifelong outdoorsman, Jack loved shooting his longbow, hunting, fishing, and spending time appreciating God’s beauty in nature. He also had a deep love of music and could often be found playing the guitar or banjo. Family meant everything to Jack; he cherished photos of his loved ones and, though he did not travel often, took great interest in the lives of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Above all else, Jack had a profound love for his Lord and his church. He devoted countless hours to reading the Bible and other religious works and faithfully prayed the rosary. St. Elizabeth Catholic Church was his spiritual home, and no matter where life took him, he always returned there. He remained an active member until the end of his life and will be deeply missed.

A time of visitation will be held from 4:00–6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 14th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 15th, at the St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Robinson, with Father David Beagles. Burial will be held at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, where military rites will be accorded by the combined units of the U.S. Army, Robinson V.F.W. Post #4549, Robinson American Legion Post #69, and Flat Rock American Legion Post #132.

Memorial contributions may be made to “St. Elizabeth Catholic Church”, with envelopes available at the funeral home and church.