Stanley C. Vacek

Stanley Charles Vacek was born December 30th, 1944 in Baltimore, MD and passed away February 15th, 2026 in Springfield, IL. He was the eldest son born to Dorothy and Stanley Vacek. His siblings include Bill Vacek and Penny Vacek Trusty.

He married Sheila Embree on January 18th, 1974 in Santa Ana, CA. He and Sheila have two sons, Chad Vacek of Springfield, IL. and Neil (Sara) Vacek of Oldsmar, FL. Their four grandchildren include Zamora Vacek of Brooklyn, NY; Stan Vacek of Springfield, IL; and Gage and Vail Vacek of Oldsmar, FL.

From 1964 to 1967 he served his country in the army as a combat medic in a MASH unit in Vietnam. He proudly flew his American flag every day.

Stan and Sheila Vacek have been residents of Springfield since 1979. Stan was a successful realtor in the community for thirty years. He and Sheila were active members of Calvary Church where he prided himself on being a church greeter, giving two generations of children “knuckles” as they entered the church each Sunday.

But he was most proud of their years of volunteering for the most needy in Springfield; including working @ Hope Thrift Center for 10 years and feeding the hungry, both physically and spiritually, every Tuesday night at Kumler Methodist Church for eight years.

He loved his Lord above all and was zealous in spreading God’s word. He cherished his family more than you can know, always ready to mentor and give hugs.

He lived his life with grace and faced death with serenity and acceptance, giving inspiration to all who knew him. It is difficult to put the life of a man like Stan into black and white. He will be infinitely missed.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00pm on Thursday February 19, 2026 at Camp Butler National Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 10:00am on Friday February 20, 2026 at Calvary Church, 501 Hazel Dell Road, Springfield, Illinois 62712. The family will greet friends from 8:30am until the time of service Friday at Calvary.