Eugene F. Lyons Obituary (1927 - 2010)

Eugene Francis Lyons Age: 82 Residence: Cornell, IL Date/Place of Death: Jan. 14, 2010 at 11:09 AM at OSF St. James John W. Albrecht Medical Center, Pontiac, IL Service: Mass will be Monday, Jan.18, 2010 at 10:00 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Pontiac, IL Clergy: Monsignor Thomas Mack Visitation: Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010 from 3 - 7 PM at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Pontiac, IL A rosary will be at 2:30 PM at St. Mary's Catholic Church, prior to visitation Funeral Home: Duffy Funeral Home, Pontiac, IL Burial: Burial will be in Esmen Camp Cemetery at a later date. Gene was born in Pontiac, IL on July 30, 1927, the oldest son of Edward and Theresa McCarthy Lyons, who both preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Joan Harner Lyons, whom he married on June 23, 1955. Also surviving are three children, Terri Sancken of Marseilles, IL, Dan (Jenny) Lyons of Odell, IL and John Lyons of Cornell, IL, five grandchildren; Josh, Korie (Brittany) Lyons, Katie and Brandon Lyons and Brent Sancken. He is also survived by 2 sisters, Kathleen Rathbun of Charlotte, MI, Frances Russow of Odell, IL, 3 brothers; Louis (Kay) Lyons, Owen (Patricia) Lyons and Harold (Jeanne) Lyons, all of Pontiac, IL. Mr. Lyons was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Pontiac. He farmed in Esmen Township from 1953, until present, where his family has been on the Lyons family farm since 1881. Gene was on the Livingston County Conservation Board for 11 years. Gene and his family were named Conservation Family of the Year in 1970. He served on the Livingston County Pork Producers Board for 10 years, the Cornell High School Board for 12 years, the Livingston County Habitat for Humanity Board for 15 years and the Esmen Camp Cemetery Board as well as the cemetery caretaker for 15 years. He served in the US Army during the Korean War from 1948 - 1951. He was an MP from 1949 - 1951. He was a 50 year member and Past Post Commander of the Cornell American Legion Post 752. Gene went on mission trips in the U.S., Chile, Mexico and Haiti. He was a loving foster father to 21 teenage boys over a 20 year span. Gene enjoyed fishing, traveling, camping, canoeing and visiting his beloved family. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Habitat for Humanity of Livingston County. 101 N. Mill St., Pontiac, IL