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Belleville Honors Korean War Soldier After More Than 75 Years

Army Pfc. John Robert Stovall vanished in July 1950 at age 19. His return brings family and the Metro East community together to honor his sacrifice.

Dan Brannan, Content Director

Nov 5, 2026 8:27 AM Nov 5, 2026 2:38 PM

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BELLEVILLE — An Illinois soldier who went missing during the Korean War more than 75 years ago has returned home for burial, with Illinois State Police escorting his remains before the Oct. 29, 2026, funeral with full military honors in Belleville.

Army Pfc. John Robert Stovall, of East St. Louis, was 19 when he went missing in July 1950. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency identified his remains on June 10, 2025, providing answers after decades in which he was listed among the missing.

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Stovall’s remains arrived on Oct. 27, 2026, at St. Louis Lambert International Airport for a dignified transfer attended by his family. State Police escorted the remains to Kassly Mortuary in Fairview Heights, where the agency’s honor guard transferred them from the hearse into the building.

The funeral procession left the mortuary at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 29, 2026, exiting onto Old Lincoln Trail and proceeding to West Main Street in Belleville. Burial followed at Mount Hope Cemetery, 9401 W. Main St.

Stovall was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for extraordinary bravery in protecting his fellow soldiers.

“We are honored to escort PFC Stovall home,” Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly said. “This young man bravely left his family and friends in East Saint Louis to fight for something bigger than himself. It is our sacred duty to honor his service and ultimate sacrifice and lay him to rest in Illinois.”

Gov. JB Pritzker joined state police, the Illinois National Guard, the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and the Metro East community in honoring Stovall’s return.

“As we welcome Private First-Class John Robert Stovall home to Illinois, let us join together to honor his service and ultimate sacrifice,” Pritzker said. “Our U.S. service members embody true bravery in their selfless defense of our nation. We are deeply grateful to all those responsible for bringing PFC Stovall back to his family.”

Stovall was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth Earl Stovall Sr. and Margaret Mary Woods Stovall; his brother, Kenny Stovall Jr.; and his half sister, Elizabeth Stovall. He is survived by his half siblings, John Stovall, Phillip Stovall and Lynda Wolfe.

“His return reminds us that time does not diminish our obligation to those who served or to the families who have waited for answers,” Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Director Terry Prince said. “We honor his service and sacrifice, and the dedication of all who worked to bring him home.”