John E. Rudisill

John E. Rudisill, 81, of Towanda, passed away on Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at his home.

He was born October 24, 1928 in Money Creek Township, IL, son of Frank Staffard and Mabel Marie Fillmore Rudisill. He married Patricia “Pat” Sylvester on August 13, 1955 in Normal.

Surviving are his wife of Towanda; two daughters, Teresa (Todd) Gullett of Clinton and Cheryl (Curt) Gore of Bloomington and three grandchildren, Tim (Vicky) Gullett and Brittany & Tyler Brown. Also surviving are one brother, Frank, Jr. (Evelyn) Rudisill of Normal and two sisters, Helen (Charlie) Friedman of Normal and Muriel (Tony) Winterland of Dora, MO.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother and one sister.

John was a United States Army Veteran, honorably discharged on February 15, 1956.

John was a volunteer firefighter for the Normal Fire Department for 30 years, retiring on December 1, 1990 and he also worked as a road foreman for McLean County Highway Department for 44 years, retiring on February 17, 1995. After his retirement, he never slowed down as he continued to do road work part-time for Hudson Township.

He will be remembered by his family and friends as a quiet, laidback and hardworking man all of his life. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and spending time with family and friends, but his greatest joy was just being “Poppy” to his grandchildren.

A memorial visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 4, 2010 at East Lawn Funeral Home in Bloomington, where a short service will be lead by his nephew, Daniel Sylvester at 12:30 p.m. Cremation rites have been accorded.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Normal Fire Department Local #2442 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Online condolences may be submitted to www.EastLawn-Bloomington.com.