Lionel Mervyn Staley (31 Oct 1947 - 25 Apr 2020)

In loving memory of Lionel Mervyn Staley born 31st October 1947 at Lady Forester Cottage Hospital In Much Wenlock, Shropshire, the 5th child of Vincent Leonard Staley and Mary Elizabeth, nee Whitney.

Lionel had 5 full siblings Errol Vincent 1940, Anita Marylyn 1942, Terence Walter 1944, Sheila Dawn 1946 and Vanessa Kathleen 1950.

When Lionel was 3 years old, sadly his Mum succumbed to the Polio outbreak, in 1950, leaving his Dad with 6 children age 10 and under and no home, his Dad was on the waiting list for a Council House and they were living in a small cottage whose elderly, disabled owner his Mum cared for, ‘in service’ as common then.

Social services didn’t help Men in those days so the children were farmed out to various relatives.

Vincent Staley, Lionel and Anita stayed with his widowed Aunty Gladys at one end of a row of houses. She loved little ‘Liddy’ as she called him and the children spent many happy School Holidays with her in future years.

Sheila and Vanessa were with Gran and Grandad Staley further along the row. Errol and Terry went to Dr. Banardos home in Much Wenlock. Over the next 4 years or so, all except Vanessa, who stayed until she Married with Gran Staley, ended up in Banardos at Chester and then various Foster Homes.

Errol and Anita went to a couple in Bridgnorth.
Lionel, Terry, and Sheila went to Wednesbury. Lionel and Sheila a few houses apart one side of the road, Terry the other side mid-way between them. Banardos did their best to keep them connected, unfortunately Lionel’s fostering failed and he went to the Banardos in Wenlock until their Dad remarried and hoped to have all his children back.

He selflessly, because of all the upheaval, left the children to choose where they would feel happiest and it was only Lionel and Sheila who rejoined him. Mind you Lionel said he’d only come back after he’d been on the homes annual Seaside outing!

So Sheila and Lionel mainly grew up together at Rolleston on Dove, once their Dad had been given the Council House. Lionel must have attended various Primary Schools till he came to Rolleston, age 7 where he went to the Village School.

From age 11 he was thrilled to have a brand new bike to cycle to Tutbury until he left and went into Farming, his childhood dream. Sheila never saw that much of Lionel though - he was always off Fishing at Young Anglers and he always wore his Kingfisher Club Badge with pride or off Birdwatching or in later years off on his Motorbike. That’s how he met Joyce, so that was a very happy time of his life. He enjoyed working on the Farm but Sheila his Sister didn’t enjoy washing his manurey Jeans!

Their Stepmother left in 1963 and they had Brian, Gill and Diane as Half-Brother and Sisters to add to the family by then. Plus a Step-Brother Mick.

They invented the modern nuclear family!

The Shropshire lad transplanted to Staffordshire and then Derby and then Swadlincote he made himself at home wherever, but was a proper country boy at heart.

Later Lionel married Joyce Evans on 1st May 1974, prior to this they did most of their courting in Scotland and holidayed in Tents and later Caravans. Lionel gave up farming as the income was poor and instead turned his hand to working at Osbourne’s Drinks a pop factory and distribution Centre where he rose through the ranks to finally work as Foreman until his Retirement.

On 14th March 1975 Richard David Staley came into the world. Later followed by Sarah Marie on 16th April 1977 and then Rachel Dawn on 14th March 1979.

Both Joyce and Lionel were ideally suited as they both had a love of nature, animal’s and the countryside. As well as having a young family they decided to have Horses, 5 in total over the years and after many a year paying for livery decided to purchase Stoney Bank in Hartshorne for themselves.

Lionel loved going back too his roots and working on the land again. He soon had Goats, Chickens, Sheep and Horses. The family spent most weekends either on hacks out or horse shows and the children had an amazing childhood.

Joyce due to disability had to take a step back from the small holding but Lionel worked on the land and remained Physically fit until his recent Cancer diagnosis.

Lionel was an amazing Son, Husband, Brother, Father & Grandfather and he was loved by all that knew him. Despite the tragedy early on in Lionels life he always tried to remain positive and happy. He loved a joke and a laugh.

Lionel will be Cremated at Bretby Crematorium on Tuesday 12th May at 10:30am. Due to Coronavirus only 10 family or close friends are allowed to go into the Crem. However we will have his ashes interned at Stoney Bank once lockdown is over.