Lewis Wabel Jr.

HENRY - Lewis "Junior" Wabel Jr., 83, of Henry died at 3:35 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, at Heartland Health Care Center in Henry.

Lewis was born March 22, 1926, in Peoria, Ill., to Lewis P. and Grace (Miles) Wabel Sr. He married Virginia Ann Barth on June 21, 1947, at St. Mary's Church in Henry, Ill. She preceded him in death on Aug. 22, 2000.

Surviving are one son, John (Jean) Wabel of Lacon; two daughters, Patricia Biggs of Schertz, Texas, and Nancy (Ed) Hill of Chillicothe, Ill.; one brother, James (Betty) Wabel of Springfield, Ill.; five grandchildren, Michael (Cheryl) Wabel, David Hill, Kevin (Angela) Biggs, Douglas Biggs and Steven Biggs; and eight great-grandchildren.

His parents, two brothers and three sisters preceded him in death.

Lewis served his country in the United States Navy during WWII; he entered at the age of 17 in 1943 as Seaman, Gunners First Mate (GMIC). He was wounded in the Pacific Ocean area. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Navy Cross aboard the USS LCI (G) 561. He was discharged in 1945.

His great love in life was model railroads and railroad history.

Lewis retired from B.F. Goodrich in 1986. He was assistant fire chief for the Henry Fire Department for many years.

He was a member of the Henry American Legion Post 323, the B.F. Goodrich Retiree Club and the Historical Society of Princeton, Ill.

Visitation will be Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Calvert & Johnson Memorial Home, 513 Carroll St., Henry, Ill. Funeral services will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the memorial home, with visitation one hour before the services. Fr. Tom Mizeur will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Henry, with full military rites by the Henry American Legion.

Memorials may be made to the Henry American Legion, Henry Fire Department or the Henry Ambulance Service.