R. Stanley Tyler, age 82 of Charleston, passed from this life on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at Heartland Christian Village in Neoga, Illinois.

Stanley was born March 5, 1929 in Martinsville, Illinois, a son of the late Elmer and Zella (Atkins) Tyler. He married Lorain Lambdin of Marshall, Illinois on August 21, 1949.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters. Stanley received a B.S. degree from Indiana State University and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois where he graduated first in his law class of which he was also president. While still a student, he passed the Illinois Bar Exam and was admitted to the practice of law. Later in his career, he was also admitted to practice in the Federal District Court and the Supreme Court of the United States.

After two years in a Chicago law firm, Stanley came to Charleston in 1954. He first practiced law with the late Wayne Shuey and later joined the Reasor Corporation as Legal Counsel and as a member of the Board of Directors. He left Charleston in 1970 to accept a faculty position in the College of Business and Administration at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.

He and Lorain returned to Charleston in 1993 to live in retirement. During his early career in Charleston, Stanley pursued many and varied interests including active membership in the Kiwanis Club and as one of the founders of the Charleston Community Theater where he performed in several productions. He served as Area Vice-President of the Wabash Valley Association and frequently traveled to Washington D.C. in support of association projects.

Politically active for a time, he was elected a Delegate to the 1964 Democratic National Convention and served on the staff of the Democratic National Committee at the 1968 convention. While at Southern Illinois University, he received the university's Amoco Award for outstanding teaching and also served on the President's Task Force for reorganization of the university.

Stanley was keenly interested in history and travel. His travels took him to all fifty of the United States and several foreign countries. A highlight of his travel adventures was a whitewater raft trip through the Grand Canyon with several Charleston friends.

He is survived by Lorain, his loving and devoted wife of sixty-two years; four children, Kent Tyler of Charleston, Richard Tyler and Scott Tyler, both of Portland, Oregon, Jane Arthur and her husband Bruce of Bristol, Virginia; four grandchildren, Ryan Tyler and Lee Kidwell, both of Charleston, Richard Arthur and William Arthur both of Bristol; a great grandchild, Cody Pedigo of Charleston; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.

It is requested that memorial gifts in his honor be made to the Wesley United Methodist Church or to a charity of the donor's preference. Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or services or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920. Stanley's memorial website is available at www.adamsfuneralchapel.com where condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on obituaries.