Harold Raymond Stokes

Harold Raymond Stokes, 83, of Litchfield, passed away at his residence on Saturday, May 27, 2023. He was born in East St. Louis, Illinois, on July 9, 1939, a son of Harold William and Mary Elizabeth (Warren) Stokes. He graduated from Litchfield High School with the Class of 1957, and served in the Illinois National Guard. Mr. Stokes and the former Judy Kay Driscoll were married on October 29, 1960, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Litchfield. She survives. He was employed for 26 years with International Paper Company/Consumer Plastics at an Art Coordinator in the packaging division. After International Paper closed, he worked with his father, Harold W. Stokes, in the family insurance business.

Mr. Stokes also worked as a commercial artist doing all kinds of art work, including logos, advertising, sign painting and graphics work for businesses. When the House of Sunshine was built in Sunshine Park, Mr. Stokes was hired to paint the graphics above the windows and eaves. While he had no formal art training and developed his skills through a four-year correspondence program and weekly tutoring from a retired art professor, he became a successful artist. Mr. Stokes received numerous “best of shows” at local and county art shows and various awards for his sports-oriented works, many of which were published in Beckett Sports Magazine. His art work was showcased in galleries in Rend Lake, Chicago, Springfield and Dallas, Texas, and he even had two of his portrait paintings of Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson displayed in Washington, D.C.  Mr. Stokes also greatly enjoyed teaching his own many art students over the years.

Mr. Stokes was an avid fan of both the Chicago Bears football and the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball teams.  He coached the Little League baseball White Sox team of Litchfield.

In addition to his wife, Judy, Mr. Stokes is survived by:

3 sons, Andrew W. (fiancée Athena Sedlacek) Stokes of Litchfield; Matthew M. Stokes of Hillsboro; and Robert B. Stokes of Litchfield

6 grandchildren, Chelsey Stokes; Brady Stokes; Tyler J. “T.J.” Stokes; Colby Stokes; Tyler Sedlacek; and Jacob Sedlacek

1 great-grandchild, Harlo Stokes

1 sister, Linda Lee (Ron) Repp of Staunton

2 nieces, Julie M. (Mike Painter) Repp, of Collinsville, and Jennifer (Chad) Jenkins, of Glen Carbon.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Stokes was preceded in death by his step-mother, Juanita M. Stokes; and great-grandson, Cooper Meadows.

A memorial visitation for Mr. Stokes will be held from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 2, 2023, at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield. Memorials may be made to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY or to Adopt-A-Pet in Benld, IL.

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