Robert N. "Bob" Staton

COLP- Robert N. Bob Staton, 81, of Colp, passed away at 10:20 AM, Thursday, July 26, 2007 at Herrin Hospital. Bob was born on November 10, 1925 in Freeman Spur to Ergo & Myrtle ( Reynolds) Staton. He married Phyllis Jeannean Bell on Valentines Day 1948 in Piggott, Ark. She preceded him in death on July 19, 2004. An all around athlete, Bob played basketball and football while in high school; and during the summer, he would play baseball & softball. He was inducted into the Herrin Sports Hall of Fame on May 18, 1995. Drafted in December of 1943 before he finished high school, Bob served in the Pacific in the Navy during WWII. It would be the Navy that would give him his diploma, not Herrin High. After the war was over, Bob came home to Southern Illinois. His love for sports had not diminished. Still playing baseball for local teams from Freeman Spur and Herrin, his friends urged him to try out for a local league team in Marion. He did and he made it. From Marion, he went on to Mattoon. Drafted by the Cleveland Indians the following year, he played for the Pittsfield, Mass. team. From there he went to Cedar Rapids. Unfortunately for him during a double header against an Iowa team, Bobs career hit a brick wall. During batting practice prior to the second game of a double header, he swung at a pitched ball and popped his back. He returned in 1953 to Peoria and then to Decatur. Plagued with constant pain, he had to give up his dream of playing professional baseball. Following his baseball career, he moved back to Southern Illinois and worked for the postal service until his retirement. He was a member of the Herrin VFW and American Legion. Survivors include Niece- Melody Kerley & husband John of Herrin Niece- Crystal Causey of Herrin Niece- Sharon Dezutti of Long Beach, CA Niece- Candy Thomas and husband Bill of Carterville Great Niece- Autumn Dilbeck & husband Al of Decatur Great Niece- Brooke Banks of Herrin Great nephew- Aaron Messina of Herrin Great Niece- Belle Dezutti of Long Beach, CA Cousins: Bill Reynolds & wife Dorothy of Herrin Charlie Reynolds of Columbia, IL Lavada Branca of Herrin Carl Reynolds & wife Verna Mae of Marion Gordon Reynolds of Marion Marlene Koerner of Herrin He was preceded in death by parents, wife, two brothers; Melvin & Richard Staton, niece, Tammy Staton and his beloved dog, Buster. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, July 30, 2007 at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin. Rev. Don Colson will officiate. Burial will follow at Herrin City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until time of service, Monday at the funeral home.