Louis E. Louie Lyons Obituary (1931 - 2019)

Louis E. "Louie" Lyons, 87, of Pontiac, passed away Sunday, March 10, 2019, at 6:59 a.m. at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, March 14, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Marys Catholic Church in Pontiac with Father David Sabel officiating. Burial will be at St. Marys Catholic Cemetery in Pontiac at a later date. Visitation will be Wednesday, March 13, 2019, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., with a Rosary at 3:00 p.m., at St. Marys Catholic Church in Pontiac and also one hour prior to the service from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 14, 2019. Duffy-Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home, Pontiac, is in charge of arrangements. Louie was born September 26, 1931 in Pontiac, IL to Edward and Theresa (McCarthy) Lyons. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Kathryn "Kay" (Gschwendtner) Lyons. He is also survived by his "three fine sons", Lon (Robin) Lyons of Peoria, IL, Larry (Maureen) Lyons of Normal, IL, and Jim (Cindy) Lyons of Bloomington, IL; brothers, Owen (Patricia) Lyons of Pontiac, IL and Harold "Pink" Lyons of Pontiac, IL; sisters, Frances Russow of Pontiac, IL and Kathleen Rathbun of Charlotte, MI; and grandchildren, Matt (LB) Lyons, Kristin Lyons, Jamie (Robert) Langworthy, Jared Lyons, Kelsey Lyons, and Tyler Lyons. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Gene Lyons. Louie lived a full life, being active in (not just a member of) many organizations. Lyons began his career in insurance sales in 1954 and opened his own agency in 1962. In 1969, Louie was elected as the Pontiac Township Supervisor and maintained that position for 48 years until his retirement in 2017. He was a member of the Livingston County Board from 1969 to 1978, serving as the Board Chairman the last two years. He became a real estate broker in 1973, opened Louis Lyons Realty in 1978, and was Realtor of the year in 1983. He helped organize the Livingston County Board of Realtors in 1979 and served as President in 1983. He was a board member of the Humiston Trust since 1983, serving as Board Chairman since 2006. He was voted Pontiac Businessman of the Year in 2010, Citizen of Year in 2004, a Mid-Central Community Action member and received the Community Services Award in 2002. He was a member of St. Marys Catholic Church and the Pontiac Elks Club for over 60 years. Not many crappies could escape his seasoned hand as he trolled many miles on White Lake in Michigan, a summer destination with the family for 50 years. He and Kay were often seen "summer driving" in his 1971 Buick Skylark convertible on the Pontiac square and at the Dairy Queen. The family would like to extend a special thanks to OSF St. James John W. Albrecht Medical Center, OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, and Evenglow Lodge for their loving care. Memorials may be made to St. Marys Catholic Grade School and the Pontiac Elks Scholarship Fund. Online condolences may be made to the family at duffyfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.