Paul Lawrence Cornell, Sr.

Paul Lawrence Cornell, Sr., "Sonny", to his family, was born in Chicago, IL on January 29, 1929 to the union of Clifton Cornell, Sr. and Helen Wilson Cornell. Paul came to Christ at an early age and was educated in the Chicago Catholic School system, attending St. Elizabeth Grammar School and St. Elizabeth High School. Upon graduation, Paul enlisted in the United States Army for two tours of duty, fulfilling his military and patriotic obligation during World War II and the Korean conflict. He then took advantage of the "G.I. Bill" to further his education attending Wilson Jr. College and received his degree in Business Administration from Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL. Paul's early vocational life included stints with the United States Post Office and Seven Up Bottling Co. He also volunteered as a Boy Scout Troop Leader. He then began his career in his chosen field beginning with the Illinois Department of Employment Security as a claims adjuster. He then relocated to South Bend, IN holding positions with the Model Cities Program as a Project Coordinator and then as Executive Director of the Community Action Program, Action, Inc. He moved on to Joliet, IL into a similar position with the Will County CAP Agency until relocating to the state capital and held various positions within the Illinois Dept. of Healthcare and Family Services, retiring as an investigator for the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health in an effort to defeat abuse and neglect in the state's mental institutions. Paul enjoyed life; he was an avid bowler, dancer, and roller skater. He loved his music, especially that of Frank Sinatra and family friend, Joe Williams. He enjoyed watching sports, rooting always for the White Sox, Cubs, Bears and Bulls and for a 4 year span Purdue Basketball until his demise. During his retirement years, he served on the AFSCME Board of Directors and was an usher for the Cathedral of The Immaculate Conception in Springfield, IL. He leaves to cherish his memory sons, Paul L. Cornell, Jr. (Chicago, IL), David Cornell (Palo Alto, CA); daughter, Diane A. Mars (Chicago, IL); daughter-in-law, Donna Cornell (Chicago, IL); former wife, Vivienne Cornell (Chicago, IL); extended family daughters, Catherine Davis (Dayton, OH) and Judge Marilyn Johnson (Chicago, IL); sisters, Jean Robinson (Dolton, IL) and Patricia Jackson (Battle Creek, MI); grandchildren, RaShaan Cornell (Auburn, WA), JaRaan and Parryn (Kristyna) Cornell (South Bend, IN), Candice (Demeakey) Williams (Atlanta, GA), Richard Cornell (Hampton, VA), Nicole Brown (Atlanta, GA), Sean and Alexander Mars (Chicago, IL), and Shayla Mars (Brooklyn, NY); 16 great-grandchildren; longtime loyal friends, Gwen Anderson (Rockford, IL); physician, Dr. William Yu; Gary Terpstra, Eddie Price, Jr. and Tim Grace all of Springfield; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Paul was preceded in death by his father, Clifton Cornell, Sr.; mother, Helen Cornell; son, Carlton Cornell; brother, Clifton Cornell, Jr.; sisters Mary Elizabeth ("Joan") Cornell and Elaine Cummings; granddaughters, Chanda Cornell and Shaquindra Martin-DeArmond. Cremation will be accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center prior to ceremonies. Memorial Gathering: Family will receive friends from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 20, 2014 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Burial will be held at a later date at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Joliet, IL.