Obituaries

Justin Blake Stanko, 27, son of Brian and Julie Stanko, passed away on April 29^th in Omaha, Nebraska. Justin was born in Geneva, Illinois and attended Saint Charles North HS, Loyola University Chicago, and the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. Justin had a love for soccer and basketball which he played in high school and college. In fact, Justin was the first All-American Men’s Soccer player at UW-W. Justin also traveled to England and Ireland to play in competitive soccer tournaments.

Justin was always the life of a party, whether it be with friends in high school, on a golf course with his best buddies, or fishing at Whitewater Lake and listening to country music. While his successes in freshwater fishing were many, his salt-water, deep-sea fishing excursions usually ended with a dock full of snapper. Occasionally a small shark or a hanger full of King/Spanish Mackerel would make for a great catch with his mom, dad, and brothers on annual vacations to the Florida panhandle.

Justin and his older brother Brandon were like best buddies since they were little and shared a love for soccer—still spending hours on the phone discussing upcoming league matches. And while Justin learned he was not getting a dog at age seven, but rather a baby brother, he became Jordan’s protector and they later found fishing to be their shared passion. 

Justin’s conversation and beautiful smile ultimately landed him a great sales job in Omaha, Nebraska. Unfortunately, we will never know if Justin’s future accomplishments would resemble his early life’s achievements.

An interesting phrase goes like this—“People may forget what you say, forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” And Justin, made so many people feel good. He will be greatly missed by many!

Justin is survived by his parents, Brian and Julie Stanko, his two brothers, Brandon and Jordan Stanko, and his grandma, Joan Soltis. He is preceded in death by his grandpas, Joe Soltis and Walter Stanko, and his grandma, Joan Stanko.

A wake will be held on Thursday, May 26, 2022, at Yurs Funeral Home, 405 E Main St, St. Charles, IL 60174 from 3:00 pm until 6:45 pm. A service will immediately follow from 6:45-7:15 pm and is open to all friends and family.

To honor Justin and his love for soccer, the family is creating a lasting memorial in support of the Boys’ Soccer program at St. Charles North High School. If you would like to support this cause, please make check payable to SCN Boys Soccer Booster Club and mail to Brian Stanko, 38w182 Mallard Lake Rd., St. Charles, Illinois 60175, or submit at wake.

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