Eric Spanton
Grafton |
Eric M. Spanton, 66, passed away at his home in Grafton, Illinois on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 5:57 a.m., 2 months after being diagnosed with cancer.
Eric was born on July 31, 1958, to Douglas “Buck” and Beverly (Shimeall) Spanton in Lincoln, Illinois. He was a graduate of Lincoln Community High School and Western Illinois University. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and the Masonic Lodge.
Eric served as a Law Enforcement Officer for 43 years. He first held a position as Patrol Officer for the City of Urbana, Illinois in 1981 and became an Illinois State Police Officer in 1984. He was promoted to the Illinois Executive Protection Unit in May, 1989, serving as protector to the Lieutenant Governor, the Secretary of State, and 3 consecutive Illinois Governors for 22 years – a record tenure in Executive Protection that stands to this day. After his ISP retirement in 2010, he also served in Homeland Security.
Eric was sworn in as the Chief of Police for the City of Grafton in 2017, a position he held until his retirement in November 2024, due to declining health. Chief Spanton made it a priority to establish trust and respect between the Police Department and the citizens, visitors, business owners, and city leaders of Grafton. He did not know a stranger here, and he developed many personal and valued relationships within the Grafton community.
Eric leaves behind his wife, Christine (Rolando) Spanton; his children: David (Jessica) Spanton and Presley (Nathaniel) Lammy; his step-children: Tyler (Jessa) Norman, Catherine (Maggie) Norman and Sydney Norman; his grandchildren: Dean, Vanna, Kaylin and Everett; plus hundreds of friends within his community. He also leaves behind a sister, Laura (Mark) Wardlaw; a sister-in-law, Julie Spanton (Rod Lane); a cousin, Steve (Sutton) Spanton and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Colonel Dirk Spanton.
Memorial Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2025, from 10 a.m. until time of Memorial Service at 3:30 p.m. at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville. A dinner and Celebration of Life will be hosted by the Grafton American Legion beginning at 4:30 p.m., the public is encouraged to attend.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to either the Grafton American Legion Post #648 or to the City of Grafton Police Department Donation Fund.
Memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.crawfordfunerals.com
Crawford Funeral Home
