Ellwood "Woody" Lawson

PEKIN ~ Ellwood "Woody" Lawson, 84, of 706 Arlann Drive, passed away at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.Born Jan. 12, 1926 in Pekin to Thomas Henry and Etta Mae (Norris) Lawson, he married Ann Althiser on June 26, 1949 in Pekin. He later married Darla June Himes on Sept. 29, 1962 in Pekin. She survives.Also surviving are four daughters, Carol Sue (William) Hilst of East Peoria, Bonnie Kay (Darrell) Carrington, Carol (Terry) Monks, both of Pekin and Connie (Jimmy) Berry of Manito; two sons, Richard Dean (Daniela) Lawson of Pekin and Steven C. Baumgardner of Yellville, AR; fifteen grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren and one sister, Mabel Helsel of Pekin.He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers and seven sisters.Woody was a World War II Marine Corps veteran, serving as a machine gunner in Okinawa and China. He attained the rank of Corporal and was proud to be a life member of the 1st Marine Division Association and the China Marine Association. He was a charter member and past three-time commandant of Tobin-Nanninga Detachment 85 of the Marine Corps League in Pekin. He also was a longtime house manager at the Marine Corps League. He also held life memberships in Roy L. King Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1232 in Pekin and Paul Towne Memorial AMVETS Post 169 in North Pekin. He was a member of William Schaefer American Legion Post 44 in Pekin. He was proud of his participation in the Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team.He worked for Keystone Steel & Wire Company in Bartonville for 30 years as a galvanizer in the wire mill, retiring in 1977. He owned and operated Lawson's Bait & Tackle with his wife for 18 years first at 212 North 3rd then at 230 Ann Eliza, both in Pekin. He also co-owned with his wife Woody's Corner Tap for 25 years, retiring Jan. 31, 1994. Woody will be remembered as Pekin's last residential ice deliveryman, first working for Stark Ice Co. then for City Coal & Ice. Woody was a member of Manito Lodge 476, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons and was a member and past three-time monarch of Irin Grotto in Pekin. He also served as a member and past three-time Exalted Ruler of Pekin Elks Lodge 1271. He also was a member of Pekin Moose Family Center 916 Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 1869 and George Maple Memorial AMVETS Post 235, all in Pekin.He was a member of First Baptist Church in Pekin.His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 27, 2010at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Mark D. Friday will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 26, 2010at the funeral home. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery, with military rites accorded by the Marine Corps and Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church Deacons Fund, 700 South Capital, Pekin, IL 61554 or to the Salvation Army, 243 Derby, Pekin, IL 61554.