SPRINGFIELD, IL – Stanley E. Curry, 96, passed away Saturday, November 3, 2018, at Lewis Memorial Christian Village.

He was born January 21, 1922, to Robert and Tina (Grimmett) Curry. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Roberta Davis; and sons-in-law, Thomas Graves and Phil Maxwell. He married F. Oneita Brown in 1947. She died in 1958. He married Maxine Callaway in 1959, in Springfield.

Stanley was a US Army veteran serving in the Pacific during WWII. He was a pressman for the State Journal-Register for 35 years and a member of West Side Christian Church.

Stan was an amateur artist specializing in cartoons for his family and friends. He passed along his love of books to his daughters by reading bedtime stories to them and then when they were older, allowing them an extension on lights out so they could "finish the chapter". Trips to the library with him were a much-anticipated adventure. He loved playing clarinet, listening to music and singing in choirs. He especially enjoyed his time singing with West Side's church choir and the Faithful Men. He served cheerfully as a Redcoat volunteer at Memorial Medical Center for over 25 years. After being one of the visionaries who began the school, he volunteered and served on the board of Springfield Christian School (formerly Christian Day School) for over 25 years. In spite of not really enjoying sitting in meetings, he served on various boards and committees at West Side Christian Church because he believed in helping those who were served by those groups. He had a deep respect and love for missionaries and advocated for them through his work on the church Mission Team, sharing his time and resources to help their work. His sense of humor and hearty laugh made him a joy to the people around him. That laugh in a movie theater often made people laugh harder than the movie.

Stan was a wonderful son to his parents and a brother who was a best friend. He was a kind and thoughtful husband and a wonderful father to his three girls. Grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins and other assorted relatives were always happy to spend time with this man who knew how to make them laugh. He made steadfast friends easily. He loved well because he loved God most of all. Because of that deep love and faith, Stan was an encourager. He wrote letters to cheer and comfort and encourage those who he thought might need a kind word. He seemed to always find the right words at the right time because his wisdom grew out of a love for the Bible and a devotion to prayer. His prayers at family meals might have stretched a bit longer than the hungry children thought necessary, but anyone hearing one of his prayers heard an extraordinary reverence for God, and genuine humility in his well-chosen words. He is greatly loved and will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his wife, Maxine; daughters, Janna (Jim) Trigg, Donna Maxwell and Deborah (Warren) Knoles; six grandchildren, Sherry (Kevin) Danner, Stacy (Carl) McClanahan, Jaime Miller, Terri Motley, Julie Knoles, Brian Knoles; six great-grandchildren, Ashleigh McClanahan, Matthew McClanahan, Ryleigh Houle, Gabrielle Houle, Caden Motley and Ryker Motley; step-great nephews, Jeff  (Karen) Hampton, Jim (Ingrid) Hampton, Joe Hampton and Michael (Rebecca) Hampton and step-great great nephew and niece, Sebastian and Destiny Hampton.

Visitation will be held from 4:30 p.m. until the time of service at 6 p.m. Thursday, November 8, 2018, at West Side Christian Church, with Eddie Lowen officiating. A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, November 9, 2018, at Roselawn Memorial Park.