Harry L. Page

Harry L. Page, 80, of Springfield, died on Thursday, October 29, 2009 at his residence. Mr. Page was born in rural Loami on October 3, 1929, the son of Warren Patrick and Pearl Taylor Page. He married Elaine Agnew of Niagara Falls, Ontario in 1964 at the First Christian Church in Springfield. Mr. Page was a graduate of New Berlin High School and received both Bachelor and Master Degrees from Western IL University in Macomb. He was the recipient of Honorary Doctorate Degrees from Winston Churchill College in Pontiac and John F. Kennedy College in Wahoo, NE. Mr. Page was a veteran having served as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1946-49 and was a member of the American Legion Post #32 in Springfield. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Springfield, as well as a member of various Masonic Orders and a past member of numerous professional organizations. Mr. Page served as an educator in Illinois for 50 years having begun his career as a teacher and basketball coach in 1953 at the Greenfield High School, where he served in that position for four years and was then promoted to the position of high school principal, which he held for two years. He then accepted the principalship at Glenwood High School and was promoted to District Superintendent the following year. In 1964 he resigned to serve as an Assistant State Superintendent of Public Instruction under his brother, State of Illinois Superintendent of Public Instruction, Ray Page until 1970. In 1967 while serving as Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction, he was selected to participate in an educational seminar in the Soviet Union, East Germany, Yugoslavia, Poland and Greece. Upon his return he authored many articles in magazines and newspapers outlining this experience. He was in demand for speaking engagements throughout the state. While in the Soviet Union, he was selected by his peers to make the opening presentation for the U.S. delegation at the seminar held at Moscow University. In 1974, Mr. Page was the Republican nominee for the Office of Treasurer of the State of Illinois. In 1975, Mr. Page was employed as the Superintendent of the Tri-City School District in Buffalo and served until 1979 at which time he resigned to return to his home, the New Berlin Community Unit School District, until his retirement in 1987. After his retirement, he served for 15 years as an adjunct instructor of history and political science at Springfield College and Robert Morris College. He is preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Walter and Ray Page. He is survived by his wife Elaine and his three children, Deborah (Victor) Andruskevitch of Elwood, Rhonda (Paddy) Sheya of Arvada, CO and Jeffrey (Lauren) Page of Athens; six grandchildren, Rachel and Chris Andruskevitch, Chessie and Alia Sheya, Erin Deason and Joseph Page; a brother, Warren (wife, Georgia) Page of Springfield; a sister, Carol Shutt of Fort Wayne, IN; and several nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends from 4:00 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 6, 2009 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. A funeral ceremony will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2009, at Kirlin- Egan and Butler Funeral Home with Rev. Charles Duggins officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Assoc, Midwest Affiliate, Memorial & Tributes Lockbox, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674; or to the Greenfield Tiger Backers, 502 East St, Greenfield, IL 62044.