Jan J. Staggs

Jan Staggs, 83, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, died on Monday, April 22, 2024, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL. Jan was born on May 3, 1940, in Urbana, IL, the son of John J. and Ruth I. Trueblood Staggs; they preceded him in death. He met Frances Davidson in Champaign, and they were married on October 27, 1962, in Marshall, IL. They shared almost 62 years of marriage.

Jan graduated from Champaign High School in 1958 and the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 1962. He earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Labor and Industrial Relations in 1964 and a second Master of Arts in Public Administration from the University of Illinois-Springfield.

From 1966-1968 during the Vietnam War, Jan served in the United States Army where he was stationed primarily in Okinawa, earning the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

He worked as a Labor Market Economist with the Illinois Department of Employment Security and other state agencies. In 1978, he was named as the Executive Director of the Illinois Occupational Information Coordinating Committee (IOICC). The IOICC produced the HORIZONS Career Information System which was used as a student career counseling and guidance tool at schools, community colleges, and job training programs throughout the state. He retired from the IOICC in 1999.

Jan was a faithful member of Clear Lake Church of Christ. His faith was the cornerstone of how he lived his life, and he emulated the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

He was a Chevrolet Corvette enthusiast, and his first Corvette was a red 1962 model. Jan was a member of the Central Illinois Corvette Club and loved cruising with the members of the club.

His favorite pastime was cheering on the Chicago Bears, Bulls, Illinois football, and his beloved University of Illinois Fighting Illini basketball team, and he likely never missed a game, being their number one fan. He was especially excited with the Fighting Illini Sweet 16 success in the NCAA tournament this March. He also liked to fish at West Cotton Hill Park and planted vegetable gardens for years.

Jan loved to travel worldwide and visit historical sights and after completing extensive genealogical research, locations where his ancestors lived. Some of his favorite trips revolved around traveling to the western United States including Route 66 and states such as California to see old classmates, Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado, where he was stationed during a portion of his U.S. Army service.

Jan was a voracious reader, such as mysteries written by Robert Ludlum and John Grisham and religious studies. He spent most afternoons reading, researching, and listening to jazz; John Coltrane being a favorite. The blues were also a favorite, and he enjoyed attending The Alamo for blues night, or he liked anything with a beat. He enjoyed a Mel-o-cream donut on a Friday morning and biscuits and gravy from Hardee’s on a Saturday morning following a trip picking up new books and record albums at local yard sales. Jan held friends dear to his heart and rarely missed one of his coffee groups or regular gatherings in Champaign with his 1958 high school classmates. He enjoyed the time he had with his family, friends, and co-workers.

Jan is survived by his wife, Francie; his daughters, Marcia (Wayne) Vogelsburg and Sherry (Michael) Daley; grandchildren, April (Justin) Biggs, Amy Vogelsburg, Lexa Vogelsburg, Morgan (fiancé, Don Driscoll) Daley, and Griffin Daley; along with one nephew and two nieces. He will be greatly missed.

Visitation: Family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 17, 2024, at Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL.

Graveside Ceremony: 12:00 p.m. on Friday, May 17, 2024 at Camp Butler National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jan’s name to the University of Illinois Foundation to support student athletes. To donate online, please visit https://yourgift.illinois.edu/JanStaggsMemorial If you prefer to mail a check, please note “I FUND-Benefits Waived” and include a note stating that these funds are in memory of Jan Staggs. Mail check and note to the University of Illinois Foundation, P.O. Box 734500, Chicago, IL 60673-4500. The family thanks you for your condolences and thoughtfulness during this time.