Frank & Bright Funeral Home

Jim Stanford

Dec 22nd, 1935 - Jul 23rd, 2017

     James “Jim” W. Stanford, age 81, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Sunday, July 23, 2017, at Clay County Hospital in Flora.

     Jim was born December 22, 1935, in Flora, the son of Wilson and Dorothy (Hamilton) Stanford.  He married Joann Wieldt on October 1, 1954, at the St. Stephen’s Rectory in Flora, and have shared 62 years of marriage. 

     Jim owned and operated Stanford Body Shop for over 60 years and was a faithful member of St. Stephen’s Catholic Church and had served on the parish council.  He served on the Flora Volunteer Fire Department for many years and took great pride in having restored and painted the department’s 1937 antique fire truck.  His memberships included the Elks Lodge, Moose Lodge, Sons of the American Legion, and had been a lifetime member of Knights of Columbus.  Jim loved fishing and enjoyed fish fries with family, was an avid St. Louis Cardinal fan, and would meet every morning with Joe Martin and his coffee shop friends.  He will always be remembered as a wonderful husband, dad, grandfather, and friend.

     Jim is survived by his wife: Joann Stanford of Flora; children: Debra Zimmerman (husband Ted) of Flora, Christine Reed (husband Brian) of Omaha, Susan McKnight of Fairfield, and Michael Stanford (wife Leah) of Flora; 15 grandchildren: Jessica (Brad) Thompson, Danielle (Cole) Anderson, Whitney (Jeremy) Ruger, Tyla (Travis) Knapp, Jamie (Heather) Thomason, Jennifer (Lucas) Dobbs, Jodi (Randy) Knight, Maverick Reed, Eric McKnight, Justin McKnight, Patience McKnight, Brett (Becca) Stanford, Alyssa Stanford, Faith Stanford, and Issac Stanford; 12 great-grandchildren: Evan, Cambell, Ian, Eli, Wyatt James, Sophia, Cannon, Ethan, Halli, Garrett, Aiden, and Blake with 2 more expected soon; a sister: Norma Hargis (husband Frank) of Flora; and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter: Diana Lynn.

     A funeral service for Jim Stanford will be 11 a.m. Thursday, July 27, 2017, at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Flora. Interment will follow in St. Stephen’s Cemetery.  A visitation will be held Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Frank & Bright Funeral Home, Flora, with an 8 p.m. Prayer Service.  Memorial contributions may be given to Clay County Cancer Crusaders and will be accepted at the funeral home.  To share a condolence with the family, visit www.frankandbright.com.