Rev. Keith Stanford

Bethalto: Rev. Keith W. Stanford, 86, of Bethalto, went to be with the Lord, Saturday, September 24, 2016, in his home surrounded by family. He was born August 7, 1930, in East St. Louis, IL, to Kenneth and Bernice (Lester) Stanford. Keith and the former Helen Clawson were married September 2, 1951, at First Baptist Church in Higginsville, MO, by the Rev. E.R. Clawson. Rev. Stanford served as pastor in Southern Baptist churches in Missouri and Kentucky during his college and seminary years. He was pastor at Suburban Baptist Church, Granite City (1959-66) and First Baptist Church, Bethalto (1966-73). He then was Director of Missions for the Madison County Baptist Association (1973-77), followed by a pastorate at Logan Street Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, IL (1977-86). In 1986, he moved to Springfield to serve with the Illinois Baptist State Association and continued there until his retirement in 1997. He served as Interim Pastor in twenty-two churches throughout Illinois. He is survived by his wife, Helen, of the home, and their five children: Stephen and wife Roberta of Bethalto, Paul and wife Kathy of Green Valley, IL, Thomas and wife Holly of Bolivar, MO, Julia and husband Robert Nagamine of Kailua, HI, and Mark and wife Laina of Chapmansboro, TN. He is also survived by grandchildren Brad (Stacey) Stanford of Bethalto, Amy (Austin) Schulz of Bethalto, Adam (Johanna) Stanford, Jason Stanford of Green Valley, IL, JoBeth (Andrew) Lynch of Oxford, MS, Bret (Courtney) Stanford of Desloge, MO, Kent Brown of Lawrence, KS, Katelyn (Clint) Cochran of Carl Junction, MO, Kristin Nagamine of Kailua, HI, Kurt Nagamine of Aiea, HI, and Jason Brown of Greenville, TX, as well as fourteen great-grandchildren with another one due in October. Additionally, he is survived by his sisters, Joanne Sward, Diane Stanford, Virginia (Vernon) Gruenke, Bonnie Field, Dorothy Seals, and brother, Donald (Jeanette) Field. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth Stanford, Bernice Field, Roy Field Sr., brothers, John Stanford, Art Sward, Roy Field Jr, and John Seals. Visitation will be 4pm to 8pm on Wednesday, September 28, 2016, at Pitchford Funeral Home in Wood River where services will be at 10 am on Thursday, September 29, 2016. Rev. Wendell Garrison will officiate. Burial will follow at St. James Cemetery in Edwardsville. Memorials may be given to IBSA Minister's Relief Fund or Baptist Children's Home and Family Services and will be accepted at the funeral home.