Ralph Uvalde "Punkie" Staley Jr. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Ralph Uvalde “Punkie” Staley Jr., of East Peoria, passed away at 10:28 am on Sunday, June 5, 2022, at his residence. He was born to Ralph U. Staley Sr. and Doris E. Kemper Staley on September 4, 1948, in Peoria. He married his High School Sweetheart, Patricia (Patti) Robbins on September 15, 1968. Punkie and Patti were blessed with two children, Ashleigh and Michael. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph Sr. and Doris; his infant brother, William and brother, Marshall; in-laws, Bud and Gina Robbins; brother-in-law, Chuck Robbins; and sister-in-law, Kassie Staley. Survivors include his wife of 53 years; daughter, Ashleigh (Barry) Lane of East Peoria and son, Michael (Sarah) Staley of Valencia, CA; grandsons, Patrick and Ryan Staley and Kaleb and Aaron Lane; brother, Malcolm (Kathy) Staley, sisters-in-law, Diana Robbins and Angela Robbins Hackett; nieces, Shelly Staley (Mike) Keating, Katie Staley (Rick) Tieken, Tina Robbins (Haken) Eksi, Tisha Robbins (Kelly) Thelen; nephews, Todd (Sharon) Staley, Jeff (Patti) Staley and CJ Hutt; and godchildren, Nic, Nate and Zach Hill and Kaleigh Hill Hruban. Punkie was a proud graduate of East Peoria Community High School Class of 1967. He went on to work at Clark Food Service, which he retired from in 2010. Punkie was a very active member of East Peoria First United Methodist Church as a member of the United Methodist Men, Church Daycare Board, and as a communion steward. In his younger years, Punkie was a member of the Abbas Grotto, Hilton Lodge and Valley of Peoria. Punkie and Patti were proud to be on the very first Festival of Lights board and were co-chairman the of the Festival of Lights Enchanted Forest for many years. For the past 30 years, Punkie was town clerk as a part of the Fon du Lac Township; a job that he loved doing. Punkie’s greatest joys in life were his two children and his grandchildren. He coached both children in various sports, attended all dance recitals, band concerts, and was a leader in both Indian Guides and Princesses. He made many trips back and forth between colleges and different cities they lived in to always help with anything they needed. Punkie made sure to tell them every day how much he loved them and how special they were. Punkie also loved going fishing and camping with his brothers, son, and nephews, meeting monthly with his high school friends for breakfast, and in his later years, being a snowbird in Destin, Florida with his wife. Punkie also enjoyed going to Disney World and Disneyland with his family many times over the years. Over the past 55 years, Punkie and Patti remained close with many high school friends and their spouses and still saw them regularly. Punkie was the life of the party, always had a helping hand and a hug for anyone who needed it and lived life to the fullest! He created many wonderful memories with all his family and friends. Cremation rites have been accorded. Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at East Peoria First United Methodist Church, with a Memorial Service following at 11:00 a.m. Reverend Krista Price will officiate. Inurnment will be at Fondulac Cemetery in East Peoria at a later date. Gary Deiters Funeral Home & Cremation Services in East Peoria is assisting the family. Memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church in East Peoria or Theresa Tracy Strive to Survive to help fight pancreatic cancer, in memory of his mother-in-law, Gina Robbins. Online condolences may be left at www.GaryDeitersFH.com.

Ralph Uvalde "Punkie" Staley Jr.

September 4, 1948 - June 5, 2022