Earl M. Chitwood, age 82, of Bartonville, passed away at Sunday Feb. 24, 2013 at 1:45 AM at Riverview Healthcare Center in East Peoria with his family by his side. He was born on May 29, 1930 in Peoria County to Dewey and Elizabeth (Eeten) Chitwood. He eloped with Lois Van Dettum on April 11, 1953 in Pocahontas, Arkansas. She survives, along with two sons Steve (Miranda) Chitwood of East Peoria and Mark (Nancy) Chitwood of Pekin; one daughter Kathy Chitwood of Bartonville; four grandchildren Leslie (Joe) DeVary of St. Louis, Drew (Ashley) Chitwood of Bartonville, Jeff (Ashley) Chitwood of Glen Carbon, IL and Whitney Urish of Chicago; one brother Donald (Alice) Chitwood of Bartonville; and two sisters, Bea Eitenmiller and Mary (Ed) Sipka both of Pekin. He found great joy in his three great-grandsons and was excitedly looking forward to the birth of three new great-granddaughters this spring.
He was preceded in death by his parents and 5 sisters: Leota Hoffert, Evalyn Garman, Hazel Tomlinson, Bettye Behrends, and Mildred Benedict.
Earl was a United States Army veteran serving in the 81st Airborne Division. He had been a Galvanized Trucker for Keystone Steel and Wire Company, working there 36 years and retiring May 1, 1992. He was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church near Glasford.
During his lifetime, Earl served on the board for Bartonville Grade School and the Village of Bartonville. For many years, he was actively involved with the Limestone Youth Baseball Association as a board member and coach. Earl loved to “work”, from dump trucks to Caterpillar tractors, he was busy every minute. His last big project was at age 72, tearing down a barn on the now golf course of Coyote Creek.
Cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial visitation will be Tuesday Feb. 26, 2013 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Davison-Fulton Bartonville Chapel. A memorial service will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the St. Peter Lutheran Church, Glasford. Additional visitation will be one hour prior to the services on Wednesday at the church.
Burial will be in the church cemetery at a later date.
Memorials may be made to the St. Peter Lutheran Church or to the Limestone Youth Baseball at PO Box 4089, Bartonville, IL. 61607.
Please view Earl’s obituary online at www.DavisonFultonBartonvilleChapel.com
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