Major Willard R. "Will" Volentine, USA Retired

Major Willard R. "Will" Volentine, USA Retired, age 91 of Staunton, IL, died Sunday, June 24, 2018, at Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Staunton, IL. He was born on Tuesday, November 09, 1926, in Staunton, IL, the son of Willard C. and Nola T. (nee Reinholt) Volentine. On Saturday, January 27, 1951, he married Maxine J. Volentine nee Jones at Staunton, IL, who passed away on Tuesday, October 16, 2012. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Staunton, IL; former member of Hope Lutheran Church, Highland, IL; VFW Post 1241, Staunton, IL (Past President); American Production & Inventory Control Society (an International Organization) (President in 1973); International Conference Chairman American Production Inventory Control Society 1971. Willard was born in Staunton, IL; graduated from Staunton High School in 1944. He served with the US Army from 3/14/1945 to 11/09/1986 with active duty during WW II. He received the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal (Japan). After that he served with the US Army Reserves until retirement. After marriage, Will and Max lived in downtown St. Louis for a short time; then Florissant, MO, then to Black Jack; and moved to Highland, IL, in July of 1994. He moved to Staunton, IL, in 2013. He returned to college to finish his degree and graduated from Washington University in 1977 with a Business Administration Degree, with honors and a member of the Alpha Sigma Lambda. He worked for Peabody Coal Corporation; Day Bright Lighting; and then MOOG Automotive for 25 plus years, retiring in 1986. After his retirement, he opened Black Jack Travel Agency, until he sold it in early 2000. In Black Jack, he served on the Planning & Zoning Commission, City Council and the organized the City Preparedness department. He received the Home Town Hero Award in 1994 for community service, presented by Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan. He also received the Special Recognition Award from St. Louis County in 1995 for outstanding service and leadership to North St. Louis County. He enjoyed golfing and bowling. He and his wife enjoyed 32 cruises; they travelled to Japan, Europe, Russia and many other places. Will and his son Gary were season ticket holders to the St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Rams football teams. Survivors include: Daughter - Marcia L. (Mark) Steidemann, Midland, MI Daughter - Cecelia A. "Celia" (James) Kirk, Staunton, IL Son - Gary R. (Kim) Volentine, Saint Charles, MO Grandchild - Shauna R. (Nick) Cooper, Savannah, TX Grandchild - Phillip J. (Allison) Mott, Hanna City, IL Grandchild - Amanda M. (Wade) Jaeger , Wentzville, MO Grandchild - Kyle R. Volentine, Chattanooga, TN Grandchild - Michael D. (Stephanie) Steidemann, Ferndale, MI Grandchild - Michelle M. Steidemann, East Lansing, MI Great Grandchild - Isis M. Cooper, Savannah, TX Great Grandchild - Izac P. Cooper, Savannah, TX Great Grandchild - Max A. Steidemann, Troy, MI Great Grandchild - Liam D. Steidemann, Troy, MI Great Grandchild - Eliza E. Mott, Hanna City, IL Great Grandchild - Leo P. Mott, Hanna City, IL Sister - Carol L. Cool, Saint Louis, MO. He was preceded in death by: Father - Willard Clyde Volentine - Died 1/13/1933 Mother - Nola Theresa Henrietta Volentine, nee Reinholt - Died 4/28/1993 Wife - Maxine J. "Max" Volentine, nee Jones - Died 10/16/2012 Brother - Dale V. Volentine - Died 8/6/1969 Arrangements are being handled by Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM on Friday, June 29, 2018, at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton, IL. Funeral Service will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, June 29, 2018, at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton, IL, with Rev. Dale A. Skeesick, Pastor, St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Prairietown, IL, officiating. Interment will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri at 12:30 PM, Friday, June 29, 2018 with Full Military Honors. Memorial contributions may be made to Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Disease.

Major Willard R. "Will" Volentine, USA Retired

November 9, 1926 - June 24, 2018