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Harlington Wood Obituary
PETERSBURG - Harlington Wood Jr., 88, of Petersburg died on Monday, Dec. 29, 2008, at 4:15 p.m. at Menard Convalescent Center.
He was born on April 17, 1920, in Springfield, to Harlington Sr. and Marie Green Wood. He married Cathryn Reuwer in Morristown, N.J., on Aug. 10, 1974.
He is survived by his wife, Cathryn of Petersburg; a daughter, Alexa Wood of Glen Ellen, Calif.; and two grandchildren, Lauren Benward of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Alex Benward of Glen Ellen.
His parents preceded him in death.
He was senior circuit judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
He was a member of the American Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association and Sangamon County Bar Association. He was past president of the Abraham Lincoln Association and former chairman of the Lincoln Legals Program. In 1993, he was an adjunct professor at University of Illinois College of Law in Urbana-Champaign. He had been past president of the Vachel Lindsey Association. From 1996 till 2001, he was distinguished visiting professor at St. Louis University School of Law. In 2002, he was the recipient of the American Inns of Court Professionalism Award. In 2005, Sangamon County Bar Association established the Judge Harlington Wood Jr. Legal Pioneer Award. In 2007, he was designated Pillar of the Bar by Illinois Bar Foundation.
He was a veteran of U.S. Army serving during World War II.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Jan. 2, 2009, at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Father Thomas Hollinga will be officiating. Visitation will be held Thursday, Jan. 1, 2008, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Hurley Funeral Home in Petersburg. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the University of Illinois Foundation - Honorable Harlington Wood Jr. Fund or to the St. Martin de Porres Center.
Online memorials may be made at www.hurleyfh.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Harlington Wood
Richard Hoffman
January 9, 2009
It was my great privilege to work closely with Judge Harlington Wood when he was on the US Judicial Conference Planning Committee and I was a staff counsel. I've met many judges here and abroad during a career as a court administrator and consultant on justice system improvement but Judge Wood was a wonderful original, truly a man of character and great integrity who bestrode those with whom he served. His kindnesses to all he met were legendary and I recall myself how he put his Chicago chambers to my use when I visited to complete an assignment reviewing court operations there. His great career stands as testimony to the value of fairness and decency, as I'm sure all who appeared before him would agree.
Sandy Spence
January 6, 2009
Cathryn and Family, I'm very sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathy and prayers go out to you. May God bless and keep you. With sympathy from an old neighbor in Petersburg, Il.
Robin (Clark) Woolsey
January 5, 2009
Cathryn,
I'm so sorry to hear that Harlington passed. He will be missed.
William (Billy) Lester
January 4, 2009
Catherine & Family, Harlington was a great man and a wonderful joy to take care of. He is in a better place now. My thoughts and Prayers are with you in this time of Sorrow.
Fay Vlachos
January 3, 2009
Cathryn, All of my wonderful memories of Harlington flashed before me when you told me that he has passed. I could see him standing in our restaurant, smiling his beautiful smile, and my dear departed husband Angelo smiling back at him. Angelo always addressed him as "Judge", and Angelo always knew what Harlington wanted for lunch. I have always remembered how much Harlington liked pepper on his food and every time I pick up the pepper-grinder, I think of him. Funny how these little things about someone you've known and loved and respected stick in your mind. Then there's the day, shortly after Angelo and I had visited him in his office, Harlington stopped in for his usual lunch of a bowl of soup. When he got to the register, he handed me a flat wrapped package. He said, "here's something I know you like." The day that Angelo and I were in his office waiting room, I looked at all of Harlington's beautiful safari pictures that were on the walls. I had commented to Harlington about one picture in particular. It was a picture of giraffes that he had taken while on safari in Africa. The flat wrapped package was the picture that I had admired in his office. And then, of course, there's my memory of him being one of my husbands' poll-bearers. And lastly, that bittersweet memory for me, of his giving away of our beautiful daughter Krisanthe at her wedding, in place of my dear husband Angelo. May he rest in peace. And may your journey through this difficult time be one of many smiles, along with your tears, as you think of YOUR special memories with Harlington.
With much love to you Cathryn,
dave & Carol Cannon
January 3, 2009
Cathy I just heard last evening about Harlington. He was a wonderful man and you were a great couple. Our prayers are with you
Edward & Betty Haynes
January 2, 2009
Please accept our deepest sympathies.
Rita Coffey
January 2, 2009
Cathyrn, Alexis, Lauren & Alex;
Howie and I we'll miss Harlington so much and I"m so bless that all of you have came into my life. Harlington was a great and wonderful man and he will be greatly miss by all of us. Your all in our thoughts and prayers.
Paul & Donna Moore
January 2, 2009
Cathryn,
We extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family during this very diffilcult time. Harlington's passing is certainly a loss for all. I feel very fortunate to have known him, both professionally and personally.
John Benward
January 1, 2009
Cathy, Our thoughts are with you in this difficult time. It is an honor to have known you. I recognize and appreciate the sincere devotion with which you cared for and supported your husband. Your life is a testament to us all. God Bless you for the love you so selflessly give.
With kind regards, John & Laura Benward
Heather McHenry
January 1, 2009
Cathryn, we are very sorry about Harlington.He was a joy to take care of.I will sure miss giving him the "A" class one service.He will be sadly missed.Love always Heather and Mchenry family
Bob & Marcie Wright
January 1, 2009
Cathryn and family:
Marcie and I were saddened to hear of the passing of Harlington. The qualities of every aspect of the man is unrivaled. Though distance and circumstances limited our ability to remain in as close contact over the last several years, we frequently reflect on the wonderful times we enjoyed together. Cathryn, I know you realize that we regarded both you and Harlington among our closest friends. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him, but we look forward to continuing our friendship.
Joann Keysor
January 1, 2009
What an honorable experience to have worked for Judge Harlington Wood as well as his Father in his retirement years in private practice.
He treated everyone with caring, love and respect regardless of their position in life and will be an example in history for years to come.
Bob and Ruth Ann Sampson
January 1, 2009
I remember Judge Wood first practicing law with his father in Petersburg (upstairs North side square)., then portraying Lincoln at New Salem. As the last American to see Stalin's body in the Kremlin and the Peacemaker with the Indians, througout his life he demonstrated the kind of qualities for which we judge the greatness of a few Americans. On December 14, the Judge was still able to exchange Christmas greetings with us. He will be greatly missed.
Donna Hutchison
January 1, 2009
To Harlington's Family,
My deepest sympathy to all of you. I really enjoyed talking to Harlington when he visited us at Rita & Howie's. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Daniel Ryan
January 1, 2009
Dear Cathy & Family, Again I join you in thanking our Lord for Harlington's grace-filled life. May he rest in Christ's peace! I offered Mass for him yesterday. God bless you! Bishop Dan Ryan
Bob Lewis
January 1, 2009
I had the great privilege of clerking for Judge Wood in 1985. He was an extraordinay jurist who, even as an appellate judge reviewing a cold, written record, never lost sight of the human element in every case. A young lawyer could not have had a better mentor. He brought out the best in all those who worked for him. My deepest condolences to Cathryn.
Lynn Koskey
December 31, 2008
Alexa: I am so sorry to hear about the death of your father. My mother is going through rehabilitation at Menard's Convalescent Center. My sister, brother-in-law and I went to visit my mother Christmas Day. We were sitting in the cafeteria/meeting room when I noticed your father being brought in. I went up to him and introduced myself and told him I went to school with you at SHS and that we graduated together. I know he tried hard to understand what I was saying to him; he was so sweet. Before we left, I saw him again out in the hall and I stopped and wished him a Merry Christmas. I was so shocked today to find out that he had passed away. So many people knew and respected him. Alexa, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Lynn Koskey (SHS Class of 68)
Wayne & Betty Wood
December 31, 2008
Harlington will be missed by people
from all walks of life, both locally
and by anyone whocame into contact with him.
Joyce Kellogg
December 31, 2008
Dear Mrs. Woods,
My parents Edgar & Nettie Hollis knew the judge well and had high respect for him. Our sympathy to you and your family.
Willard & Joyce Kellogg
Woodford McClellan
December 31, 2008
My wife Irina and I loved Judge Harlington Wood and mourn his passing. He was a great friend, a distinguished jurist, a talented photographer and woodworker in his spare time, world traveler, citizen-soldier, patriot, loving husband, father, and grandfather. Our hearts go out to Cathryn, Alexa, Alex, Lauren, and to Judge Wood's legions of friends. There will never be another quite like him.
barbara beard
December 31, 2008
God bless you at this time. Harrlington was a very kind and interesting person.
William Bramel
December 31, 2008
Our deepest sympathies to the wife and family of Judge Wood. I farmed Judge Wood's ground for him and his father for several years and found them to be very fair.
ronald wesley
December 31, 2008
i got to no the judge back in the early 80. i worked at andy jones service station part time the judge came in every afternoon on his way home from work.he was such a nice person to talk with.you will be sadily missed.
Menard Convalescent Center
December 31, 2008
Harlington will be missed. He was a part of "Our Family" at M.C.C.. Prayers and thoughts are with all of you. with love, all staff
Cathy Jewell
December 31, 2008
Catherine and Family, Harlington was a wonderful man, I feel blessed to have known him and his family. My prayers are with you all. Much love, Cathy Jewell
Janet (Flatt) Cole
December 31, 2008
Mrs. Wood, I am so very sorry for your loss. I am honored to have been among the Judge Wood Lunch Club. It's truly an honor and priviledge to know him. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family...he is a great legend and peacemaker.
Larry Petit
December 31, 2008
Thank You Judge for your service to our country. You will be missed by all. My condolences to your family!
elizabeth johnstone
December 31, 2008
Catherine, my thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. Harlington was a true gentleman who has left a wonderful history for all of you to teach and share with others. God Bless!
Bob Goldman
December 31, 2008
Alexa--------- sure sorry to read about your Dad. We've all liked and respected him since kids on Old Jacsonville Road.
Bob Goldman
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