Robert Edward "Ed" TRANTHAM

LA PRAIRIE, Ill. -- Robert Edward "Ed" Trantham, 57, of La Prairie died surrounded by loved ones at 6:05 p.m. Monday (Dec. 21, 2009) in Blessing Hospital, Quincy, after a year-long fight with cancer. Ed was born July 14, 1952, in Russellville, Ala., to Sebron and Almeth Trantham. He spent his growing up years between Belmont, Miss., and Winthrop Harbor, Ill., and graduated from Belmont High School. He entered the Air Force, became an aircraft mechanic and maintained B-52s during the Vietnam war. Upon his honorable discharge, he attended Belleville Area College in Belleville and earned his A&P license in aviation. During his career in aviation, he lived in Lafayette, La., where he worked on helicopters for off-shore drill rigs. He also worked in St. Louis at Lambert Field. He had the distinction there of being struck by lightning twice, on opposite ends of the airport, 13 years apart, and was cared for by the same paramedic both times. Most recently, he was a supervisor at Great River Aviation at the Quincy Airport until his retirement this summer. Ed enjoyed being outdoors at his home. He liked to hunt deer, fish on the Illinois River and shoot at PASA. He was quite a storyteller and always enjoyed a good joke. He loved his family and his God, and was very positive in his outlook in all things. Ed was married to Iris Leenerts on April 17, 1977, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Golden. They enjoyed their life together, and were blessed with two daughters. Ed was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Golden and of Benjamin Lodge 297 AF & AM in Camp Point. He is survived by his wife, Iris, of La Prairie; two sons, Jason Trantham and David Trantham, both of Batesville, Ark.; two daughters, Emily Trantham and her fiance, Kris Crass, of Murray, Ky., and Diana Trantham of Richmond, Ky.; one sister, Lanell Morrison of Belmont, Miss.; his mother-in-law, Pearly Leenerts of Golden; a brother-in-law Dean (Cindy) Leenerts of Woodstock, Ga.; sisters-in-law, Jane (Gary) Frieden of Bloomington and Kathy (Horst) Hackemer of Spring Hill, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews. "PawPaw" also leaves behind his grandson, Conner Trantham of Murray, who he introduced to the deer stands at age nine months. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Charles William Trantham; two sisters, Dezzie Delk and Bonnie Mayhall; and his father-in-law, Irvin Leenerts. SERVICES: Cremation rites have been accorded. A celebration of Ed's life will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in the Trinity Lutheran Church, Golden, with the Rev. James Trutwin conducting. VISITATION: 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday in the church. Masonic rites conducted by Benjamin Lodge 297 AF & AM will be held at 5 p.m. MEMORIALS: Trinity Lutheran Church Youth Ministry program or to the Blessing Cancer Center. ARRANGEMENTS: The Hamilton Funeral Home, Augusta, is handling arrangements. Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.