Lawrence J. Weishaar

Lawrence J. Weishaar, 86, of Springfield, passed away on Thursday, July 2, 2009 at Memorial Medical Center. Lawrence was born April 13, 1923 in Jasper County, the son of Phillip and Elsie Brummer Weishaar. He married Vera Elizabeth Kingery in 1945 and she preceded him in death. He later married Betty Louise Lauver in 1962. Lawrence graduated from Manual Training High School in 1942 and earned his degree from Bradley University in 1949. He served his country in the U.S. Army Air Corps in the Pacific during WWII. Lawrence was employed by the IL Department of Transportation, retiring in 1983. He went on to serve as a Federal Emergency Disaster Evaluator for 10 years after his retirement. A lifelong, enthusiastic pilot, Lawrence enjoyed flying and building his own planes. He was a member of the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers and the Experimental Aircraft Association. Lawrence had a great sense of humor and was a talented musician who loved to play the guitar and sing. Also preceding Lawrence in death are his infant daughter, Martha Jane, and his parents. He is survived by his wife, Betty Louise Weishaar of Springfield; his children, Phillip (wife, Mary) Weishaar of Belleville and Katherine (husband, Donovan) Freeland of Spencerville, IN; six grandchildren, Paul Weishaar and Mark Weishaar, Colleen Towner, Elizabeth Pasalich, Paul Freeland and John Freeland; ten great-grandchildren; his brother, Maurice Weishaar of Shelbyville; two nieces and one nephew. Family will receive friends from 9:30-10:45 a.m. on Monday, July 6, 2009 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. A funeral ceremony will follow at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 6, 2009 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home with Rev. Msgr. John Ossola officiant. Burial will follow at 2:00 p.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery in Effingham with military honors provided by the U.S. Department of Defense and American Legion Post #120 of Effingham. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 687 E. Linton Ave., Springfield, IL 62703.