CMSgt. Mark R. Stanton, USAF, Ret.

CMSgt. Mark R. Stanton, USAF, Ret., 88, of New Baden, IL, died December 1, 2017 at Friendship Manor in Nashville, IL. He was born June 4, 1929 in Pinckneyville, IL, the son of Mark R. and Mabel, nee Ballheimer, Stanton. He married Norma Jean Daffron on October 22, 1949 in Mayfield, KY and she preceded him in death on January 10, 2003.

He is survived by a son, Mark R. (Lisa) Stanton, III of Tamaroa; a daughter, Lori Fearing of Centralia; a son-in-law, Eric Gentz of New Baden; seven grandchildren, Mark R. (Haley) Stanton IV, Travis Stanton, Eric L. (Kayla) Gentz II, Erin (Cameron) Pettus, Melissa Wessel, Melinda Wessel, and Dale Wessel, Jr.; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; three brothers, Richard Stanton and Robert (Janice) Stanton all of Granite City, and Roger (Kathy) Stanton of Robbins AFB, GA; and a sister-in-law, JoAnn Stanton of Granite City.

In addition to his parents and wife he was preceded in death by a daughter, Tammy Gentz; a sister, Mabel Stanton; a brother, John Stanton; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Tom C. Daffron, John Daffron, Ruth Sawyer, Ida Mae Rich, and Margie Stanton.

Following his retirement from the Air Force, Mr. Stanton worked for FKG Oil Co (MotoMart) and then was a manager at the Scott Credit Union - Belleville Branch. He was a member of the First Baptist Church and the American Legion Post 321 in New Baden. Mark loved to fish, hunt, and spend time with his grandkids and great-grandkids.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at Nordike Funeral Home in New Baden with Pastor Dave Manley officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at Mueller Hill Cemetery in Pinckneyville.

Friends may call from 8 a.m. until time of service Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at Nordike Funeral Home in New Baden.

Memorials may be made to the Daffron Presswood Post 2504, Friendship Manor, or the American Legion Post 321 and will be received at the funeral home.