Donald Lee Stanley, age 91, of Ingraham, Illinois, passed away Wednesday evening, November 19, 2025, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.

      He was born January 29, 1934, in Dows, Iowa, the son of Jay Bryan and Mary (Hackney) Stanley.  He was united in marriage to Elda Fehrenbacher on July 25, 1953, and together they have shared 72 wedding anniversaries.

      Don served in the U. S. Army.  He spent most of his working life logging, truly living his best life among the trees and in the quiet of the woods he loved.  He was a devoted member of Hoosier Prairie Church, where he faithfully served for many years as both Deacon and Sunday School teacher.  Together, he and Elda also shared the joy of welcoming others at the doors of Hoosier Prairie, offering a warm smile and greeting to all who came.  Don also served on the Clay City Fire Department, Ingraham Branch.

      He is survived by his wife: Elda Stanley of Ingraham; a daughter: Pamela J. (David) Doris of Springfield; a son: Eric L. (Lisa) Stanley of Clay City; 6 grandchildren: Rachel L. (Berry) Cockerell of Pleasant Plains, Halie M. (Bryan) Zulauf of Rochester, Stormie (Josh) Leigh of Ingraham, Jackie (Chris) McCarthy of Rinard, Emily (Jeremy) Sells of Silsbee, Texas, and Jon Ausbrook of Clay City; 20 great-grandchildren: Chantz (Courtney), Aden, Olivia, Zoey, Bryan Jr., Zane, Lilly, Liam, McKenna, Arthur, Rosalee, Skylar, Hunter, Zayne, Kaisyn, Kailani, Zahra, Mia, Sutton, and Leighton, with another soon anticipated, Baby Leigh; 3 great-great-grandchildren: Ty, Azalea, and Oakley, with another soon anticipated, Baby Girl Chernis; a brother: Jerry (Martha) Stanley of Ingraham; bonus sister: Carolyn Heathcock; sister-in-law: Betty Stanley, formerly of Flora; 2 brothers-in-law: Randy (MaryPat) Fehrenbacher and Blaine (Ruth) Fehrenbacher; and many nieces and nephews.

      He was preceded in passing by his parents; a sister: Maxine (Harold) Brooks; 2 brothers: Dale Ray (Lyn) Stanley and Larry Stanley; father and mother-in-law: Howard and Francis Fehrenbacher; brothers and sisters-in-law: Mavin and Norma Turnipseed and Glen and Glenda Fehrenbacher.

      A funeral ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. Monday, November 24, 2025, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora.  Military funeral honors will be presented at the funeral home at the conclusion of the ceremony.  A visitation will be held from 4 until 6 p.m. Sunday, November 23, at the funeral home, and on Monday from 9 until 10 a.m.  Memorial donations are suggested to either Hoosier Prairie Baptist Church or Clay County Cancer Crusaders, and these will be accepted at the funeral home.  To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com