Stuart J. Traynor Sr.

TAYLORVILLE - Stuart J. Traynor Sr., 89, of Taylorville died at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008, at his home.

He was born Sept. 4, 1919, in Gillespie, the son of Samuel Stuart and Margaret Dowdalls Traynor.

Mr. Traynor graduated from Saint Louis University School of Law in June 1950 and commenced private practice in Taylorville that same year. He served as city attorney for Taylorville, Pawnee and Stonington at various times during the late 1950s as well as general counsel for the United Mine Workers of America and the Progressive Workers of America from 1961 through 1965. He was instrumental in acquiring the land and funding for the building of Lake Taylorville. He was a member of the Illinois General Assembly from 1961 to 1968, serving as a state representative and later as state senator.

Mr. Traynor was a Navy veteran of World War II, serving on patrol torpedo boats in the Aleutian Islands and surviving the loss of two boats to enemy action in the Pacific Theater. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus. He was a life member of the American Legion.

He married Catherine Alacoque Smith in Columbia on Oct. 30, 1942.

He is survived by his wife, Alacoque; sons and daughters, Stuart Jr. (wife, Barbara) and Lance (wife, Sallie), all of Taylorville, Mary Jane Dryer (husband, Ernest) of Annapolis, Md., Patrick (Denise Murphy) of St. Louis, Michael of Annapolis and Ann Witsman (husband, Samuel) of Springfield; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters, Catherina, Robina, Jean and Lorna.

Visitation will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Taylorville from 10 to 11 a.m., followed by a Mass from 11 to noon Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008. Internment will take place following the services in Oak Hill Cemetery in Taylorville.

Shafer Funeral Home in Taylorville is in charge of arrangements.