Robert Lee Stanton, 88, of Granite City, Illinois, peacefully departed this world on Monday, March 3, 2025, at Cedarhurst Senior Living Community, Granite City. Born on August 10, 1936, in Pinckneyville, IL, he was the youngest son of the late Mark Ray Stanton and Mable Irene (Ballheimer) Stanton. He married the love of his life, Janice Louise (Welshan) Stanton on August 17, 1957, in Granite City and she survives.
“Bobby Joe”, as he was affectingly known by most, embodied the principle of Faith, Family, and Friends. He believed that is where true happiness began and he lived his life guided by that conviction. He was a man of unwavering devotion, and a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Granite City, Illinois. Bobby Joe was steadfast in his daily scripture reading and persistent in introducing all he met to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His childhood years were spent in a small house on a farm in the country where he spent many cheerful days fishing, swimming and hunting with his four older brothers and protected by one older sister. He moved to Granite City at the age of eighteen looking for work and started a career lasting 45 years as a pipefitter at Granite City Steel. Following his tenure at Granite City Steel, he gave tours of the plant. He also dabbled in real estate. Bobby Joe also had a second career in retirement, spending 18 years at Irwin Chapel Funeral Home. He and Janice raised two children, cheered on four grandchildren in their many activities and doted on seven great grandchildren, with the eighth due any day. He found immense joy in visiting with his many nieces and nephews, and their children, all of whom warmly referred to him as “Uncle Bob” or “Uncle Robert.” Bobby Joe formed numerous lifelong friendships through the years with coworkers, neighbors, and church family, as well as short, one time friendships with anyone he met.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings and their spouses; Mabel Stanton Chell, John and Joanne Stanton, Richard and Marjorie Stanton, Mark and Norma Stanton, Roger Stanton and his daughter in law, Connie (Blaha) Stanton.
In addition to his beloved wife of over 67 years, he is survived by his daughter and her husband, Robin and Kenny Clark, and his son, Daniel Stanton, his grandchildren, Sarah Fernandez and her husband Jason Fernandez, Rachel Clark and her husband Yordanis Doallo Crespo, Allyson Stanton and her wife Stephanie Wittman, Andrew Stanton and his wife Abby Stanton, his great grandchildren Lydia Fernandez, Cameron Fernandez, Rylee Stanton, Brooks Stanton, Remi Stanton, James “Witt” Stanton, Lane Stanton, and Corrine Doallo Clark.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at Cedarhurst Senior Living Facility in Granite City, for their care, dedication and professionalism.
In lieu of floral tributes, memorials made to Kacie Bryant Benefit Fund. Condolences may also be expressed online at www.irwinchapel.com.
Visitation: Family and friends may gather from 4:30 to 8:00, Friday, March 7, 2025, at Irwin Chapel, 3960 Maryville Road, Granite City, Illinois.
Funeral: Services will be held at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Irwin Chapel, Granite City, Illinois. Interment will follow in Sunset Hill Memorial Estates in Glen Carbon, Illinois.
