Alvin Stein

Alvin John “Bud” Stein, Jr. of Staunton, IL, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 7, 2026 in Gillespie, IL, just a few weeks shy of his 98th birthday. Born September 21, 1928 in Staunton, he was the son of Mr. Alvin John Stein, Sr. & Mrs. Bertha (Tosta) Stein. He married Violet Mae Spudich, the love of his life, on October 29, 1955 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Livingston, IL, & she preceded him in death on February 6, 2025.

Al was a self-starter all his life. There was never a person he did not want to know, a problem that he did not want to solve, a project he didn’t want to tackle, or a passion he didn’t want to crusade for. He was strong in his Catholic faith & was passionate about freedom & equality. We are still being surprised by new stories of what Al did in his life & know there are many people who benefited from his efforts.

Al was a 1946 graduate of Staunton High School & attended Shurtleff College in Alton, IL & the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, where he graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Sciences in Electrical Engineering.

Al had many jobs throughout his 97 years, beginning with picking & selling strawberries as a little boy on his grandparents’ family farm. He had jobs as a teenager in Staunton at a bakery, a movie theater, for a railroad, & in a coal mine, before joining the U.S. Army, where he served from January, 1951 to December, 1952, including active service in Korea with the 430th Engr Battalion.

After returning from the war, Al worked at Joy Manufacturing Corporation before joining Illinois Power Company in Sparta, IL as an Electrical Engineer. Al transferred to the Jacksonville, IL office of Illinois Power in 1956 & in 1966 was recruited by plastic bag manufacturer Kordite Corporation to join their management team, shortly after their purchase by a division of ExxonMobil. Al worked at ExxonMobil until he retired in 1992, during which time he created a patented process to improve quality control in the bag film.

Al was a Registered Professional Engineer & a member of the Professional Engineering Society. He served on the Educational Advisory Board for Jacksonville School District 117 & was active in the District’s Parent-Teachers Organizations. He also was a member of the Jacksonville Airport Board, the Knights of Columbus, & the Jacksonville Jaycees.

Al enjoyed fishing, bowling, & golf during his free time, & was an avid Pinochle player. He & Violet also owned & maintained several residential rental properties in the Staunton area, where they returned after Al’s retirement. Al then purchased a fishing boat & spent many days fishing with his friends & family on the lakes around southern Illinois.

Al’s greatest love was his family. Alvin is survived by his children - Alan (Liliann) Stein of Downers Grove, IL, Nolie (Rocky) Mayberry of Hamel, IL, & Wendy (Mike) Coyle of Peoria, IL; grandchildren - Eric (Katie) Stein of Downers Grove, IL, Benjamin Stein of Pasadena, CA, Jennifer (Tyler) Oberkfell of Troy, IL, Jason Mayberry of New Douglas, IL, Kathleen (Kevin) Francoeur of Edwardsville, IL, Sean (Jami) Coyle of Gurnee, IL, Jesse (Caitlyn) Coyle of Pekin, IL, Carly (Brandon) Bohmer of Edwardsville, IL, & Casey (Helene) Coyle of Binghamton, NY; eleven great grandchildren; brother - Marvin (Kathy) Stein of Staunton, IL; brother-in-law - John (DeeMana) Spudich of Granite City, IL, & numerous nieces, nephews, & cousins.

In addition to Violet, his beloved wife of 69 years, Alvin was preceded in death by his parents; his grandson - Alphonzo Stein; brother - Fred Stein; brothers-in-law - George Spudich & Roy Spudich; & sisters-in-law - Betty Stein, Lynette Spudich, Shirley Spudich, & Beulah Spudich.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 PM on Sunday, September 13, 2026 at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton, IL. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 AM on Monday, September 14, 2026 at St. Michael Catholic Church in Staunton, IL, with Father Mike Haag officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Staunton, IL. The Staunton Military Honor Guard will conduct graveside rites.

Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities, St. Michael Catholic Church of Staunton, IL, or to Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Livingston, IL.

Williamson Funeral Home, Staunton, is in charge of arrangements. To order flowers or leave an on-line condolence, please visit our website at www.williamsonfh.com.

He left beautiful memories & will always be remembered.