Area Obituaries
Stanley H. Hobbs, Jr. of Port St. Joe, Florida (formerly of Lawrenceville, Illinois), passed away on August 28, 2022 at PruittHealth in Panama City, Florida. He was 84 years of age. Stanley was born on April 4, 1938, in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania to Beatrice (Trout) Hobbs and Stanley H. Hobbs, Sr. Soon after, the family moved to Lawrenceville, Illinois, which he would always refer to as his “hometown.” He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in January 1957, and served through December 1960. He returned to Lawrenceville, where he later married Sandra James on May 27, 1962. It was in the Navy that he received his training as a meteorological technician. He worked for Pan American on Grand Turk Island at the missile tracking station from 1962 to 1968. He and his family then returned to Lawrenceville, where he was employed by Texaco Refinery for two years. Following this, he was hired by the National Weather Service (NWS), where he was stationed in Johnston Island Atoll in the Pacific for a one-year tour of isolation duty. Subsequent NWS stations included Salem, Illinois; Monett, Missouri; and Apalachicola, Florida, where he served as the Officer in Charge. During his over 30-year career, he was the recipient of numerous merit awards and accommodations. In addition, Stanley was well known as an avid runner and fitness enthusiast. This disciplined lifestyle followed him well into his senior years despite injuries and health challenges. He was also a lifetime member of the Lawrenceville Elks. Preceding him in death were his parents and his only brother, Jerry Hobbs. Survivors include his wife, Sandra Hobbs of Round Rock, Texas; his daughter, Angela Hobbs-Lopez and husband, Jose Lopez of Round Rock, Texas; his son, Gavin Hobbs of Lynn Haven, Florida; and grandchildren Audria Woodall and husband, Luke Jandrain of Pflugerville, Texas; Eric Woodall, currently serving in the USMC; and Alex Lopez of Val Verde, California. Graveside services will be conducted at 10:30 AM CDT on Monday, August 28, 2023 at the Lawrenceville City Cemetery, located at 300 18th Street in Lawrenceville, Illinois 62439. The family extends an invitation to join them after the service for a meal at the Lawrenceville VFW, located at 511 12th Street in Lawrenceville, Illinois 62439. Emmons-Macey ; Steffey Funeral Home in Lawrenceville, Illinois is in charge of the arrangements. Please visit www.emmonsmaceysteffey.com to view the tribute and to send condolences.