John Dale Stobbs

John Dale Stobbs, 83, died at 9:40 a.m. in his home on Wednesday, November 23, 2016, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born November 28, 1932, in Alton the son of the late John and Myrtle (Uphoff) Stobbs.

He married Mary (DeCicco) on November 28, 1959 in Washington, D.C. and she survives.

Also surviving are seven children, Tracey Stobbs Riordan of Ballwin, Missouri, Monica Jude Stobbs of Charleston, South Carolina, Elizabeth Dunn Stobbs of Chicago, John Dale Stobbs II (Rosario) of Godfrey, Mary Jennifer Margarida of Edwardsville, Stephen Stobbs (Katie) of Godfrey and Kathryn Santellano (Don) of St. Charles, Missouri; 15 grandchildren; and one sister, Janice Brown of St. Louis, Missouri.

He was preceded in death by one son-in-law, Gerard Riordan; and one grandson, Stephen "Danny" Stobbs.

Mr. Stobbs was a graduate of St. Mary's Grade School in Alton and Marquette High School in Alton where he was class president. During his junior year at Marquette, Mr. Stobbs was elected to be the national president of Junior Achievement, and during his senior year traveled throughout the country in that capacity. He received a scholarship to St. Louis University and received his undergraduate and law degrees from there in 1956 with honors. During law school he served on the Law Journal and was a member of the Order of the Coif.

After graduation from Law School Mr. Stobbs enlisted in the United States Air Force and served in the Judge Advocate General Corps until his retirement as a full colonel in 1989. After obtaining the rank of major, he attended and completed studies at the prestigious Air War College in Huntsville, Alabama.

After receiving his LLM degree from Georgetown University in Washington D.C. in 1958, Mr. Stobbs worked for the Department of Justice where his first case reached the United States Supreme Court. After working for several years as a trial attorney with the Justice Department, Mr. Stobbs returned home to Alton where he began practicing law.

Mr. Stobbs practiced law in Alton for over 50 years and was a partner in the Stobbs and Sinclair Law Firm in Alton. He served as a special Assistant State's Attorney under Raleigh Griffith in the early 1970's where he was specially appointed to prosecute corruption cases. He had a perfect 14-0 record in the cases that proceeded to trial. His memberships included the American Legion, treasurer of the Madison County Bar Association, member of the Illinois & Missouri State Bar Associations, Seventh & Eighth Circuit Federal Courts of Appeal, the United States Supreme Court, Renaissance Society Member of Marquette High School, vice-president of Illinois Appellate Lawyer's Association, and the American Trial Lawyer's Association.

He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was a true friend and ferocious advocate for his clients. He will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by all.

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, at Gent Funeral Home in Alton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Godfrey, with Father Michael Marchleweski, SJ and Father Richard Buhler, SJ officiating. Interment will be at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Godfrey with full Military Honors by the U.S. Air Force.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Jude's Hospital.

Additional information and online guest book may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com.