Obituary of Jerome Stansbury

Jerome John Stansbury passed unexpectedly on January 30, 2014. "John" was born an only child on November 12, 1943 in Cleveland, Ohio to Annabelle Haberek Stansbury. He served in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps from 1960-1964. He was stationed at Great Lakes Navel Station, in Corpsman School, when he met his soul mate, Eileen Dolan. They married on February 2, 1963 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Waukegan, Illinois. John and Eileen made their first home in Bay Ridge, New York, while he was stationed at the Brooklyn Navy Shipyards. John was honorably discharged from the Navy in November of 1963 and they returned home to northern Illinois. They moved to southern Wisconsin and made their home there for the next 13 years. John realized his dream when they left their condo and moved back to Illinois this last August. He once again owned a riding lawn mower, and planted many trees at their new home in Spring Grove, Illinois. John especially enjoyed outings on his pontoon on Powers Lake with family and friends. Fishing with his wife and grandchildren was also something he really enjoyed. He was very proud of his wife, and their four beautiful children. John began his professional career at Abbott Laboratories in 1964 as a Scientific Technician and held many positions in various divisions within the company. John was known lovingly as the "Mayor of Abbott." His last position was Manager of Document Publication Services until his official retirement in 2002. He returned to work once again at Abbott (which is now AbbVie) in 2008 working as a contractor. John was well respected and liked within the company and was fortunate to make many friends and acquaintances during his career, many of whom still reside with Abbott/Abbvie. On February 2, 2013, John and Eileen happily celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by renewing their vows at Our Lady of Humility Catholic Church followed by a reception at Midlane Country Club. Surrounded by family and close friends it was the most joyous occasion of their lives. John is survived by his beloved wife; four children, Lisa (Bob) Chamernik, Diana (Phil Erbach) Anderson, Martin (Dianne) Stansbury, and Jon (Alie) Stansbury; grandchildren, Ryan, Rachael, Jake, Cody, Cole, Noah, Nathan, Sophie, Benjamin, Maisie, Michael, Austin, Tayler, Tanner, Trever; one great-grandson, Liam; and his half-brother George (Nome) Stansbury. John was preceded in death by his mother, Annabelle Stansbury in 1994. Visitation will be on Friday, February 7, 2014 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at Congdon Funeral Home, 3102 Sheridan Road, Zion, Illinois 60099. The Funeral Mass will be on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at 9:30 am at Our Lady of Humility Church, 10655 Wadsworth Road, Beach Park, Illinois 60099. Interment will be private for the family. The family has requested that memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society, www.americancancersociety.org/donate