Harry Joseph Dawson

Harry was born in Chillicothe, Illinois on November 10, 1932 to Harry and Olga (Perina) Dawson. He married Pearl Poston on September of 1953. She preceded him in death. He married Kay Marie Gregorski in July of 2003. She survives.

Harry is also survived by two children; Bruce (Marianne) Dawson of Orland Park, IL, Linda (James) Roots of Gurnee, IL, stepchildren; Michael (Lena) Encinas of Long Beach, CA, Terri (Charles) Erwin of Carrollton, TX, David Encinas of Chillicothe, IL, Lori (Bob) Bushell of Chillicothe, IL; grandchildren, Laura Dawson, William and Stephen Roots, Eric, Olivia, and Jeremy Encinas, Christina, Charles and Cayhen Erwin, Alexis and Zeke Encinas, Adam and Kyle Bushell; two brothers, Phillip (Janice) Dawson of East Peoria, IL and Gary Dawson of Sedona, AZ.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and half-sister; Dorothy Barnhart.

Harry enlisted in the Army in 1956, and was a member of the Army Reserves. He also worked for Caterpillar Tractor as a Division Manager in the Engine Research Department, he retired after 30 years in 1993. He was also a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and The American Philatelic Society. He was a St. Louis Cardinals fan, and also a fan of his alma maters, Bradley University and University of Illinois.

Visitation will be held Thursday May 8, 2014 at Davison-Fulton-Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Cremation rites will be accorded following the visitation. Burial will follow at Springdale Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial Donations in honor of Harry may be made to The Arthritis Foundation.