Stanley Greicius

On May 15, 2021, Stanley James Greicius passed away peacefully at the age of 76 in Paducah, Kentucky. Jim was born on February 14, 1945 to Kewanee, Illinois. Jim spent his childhood in Plymouth, Illinois and graduated from Lanphier High School in Springfield, Illinois.

After high school, Jim served in the Air Force and retired as an Air Force Master Sergeant. Jim traveled the world in service of his country and served in Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Spain, Iceland, Libya, and England. Jim’s military career honors included Air Force commendation medals, longevity service awards, and awards for overseas tours, outstanding unit, training, and good conduct. After 21 years in the Air Force, Jim’s service continued as an Illinois Unemployment Officer, Veterans Affairs Field Officer and Adjutant for the Lasalle Veterans Home.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Stanely and Dorothy Greicius. He is survived by three children- James Greicius (Heather, Lisa Book (Dave), and Jennifer Levine (Geoff), and two grandchildren- Jayden and Clayton. His sisters Mary Ann Voreis (Charles) and Judy Wingfield (Dean) will miss their big brother. He also is survived by his aunt, Mary Jane Gibson, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Other than his love of country, Jim loved sports. He enjoyed golf, baseball, bowling, and fishing. Jim was an outstanding pitcher and won softball championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He later served as a baseball umpire for many years. Jim shared a passion for soccer with his children, a love which was kindled in Seville, Spain for the Sevilla FC. His love of the White Sox and Illini never wavered.

Jim’s greatest gifts were his incredible memory for details, mathematics, and his love for music. He could recount every station and year of his service in the Air Force, as well as flowers, plants, and other wildlife. His talent in mathematics placed him in computer programming for the military.

Jim was an avid card player. Jim enjoyed holidays with his family, which included rousing games of backyard baseball at the Fourth of July and rowdy family football games at Thanksgiving.

Jim was thoughtful and generous. No holiday or birthday passed without a card and a generous gift from Dad/Uncle Jim/ Grandpa Jim to his kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, and his great nieces and nephews.

Jim’s life is being celebrated with military honors on May 24, 2021 at 12:00 pm at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois. In Lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Illinois Amvets at www.ilamvets.org/monetary-donation.