Earl Gudenrath

EARL GUDENRATH, 91, of Arcola, IL passed away peacefully at 9:50 A.M. on Friday, October 7, 2016 at Presence Medical Center in Urbana, IL.

A Visitation will be held from 2:00 P.M. 3:30 P.M. on Saturday, October 15, 2016 at Carriage Crossing, 1701 Congressional Way in Champaign, IL. A Celebration of Earl’s life will be held at 3:30 P.M on Saturday following the visitation at Carriage Crossing. Rev. Jeff VanDyke will officiate. Burial will be in the Arcola Cemetery. The Edwards Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

Earl was born on June 15, 1925 in Roberts, IL. He was a son of John Jacob and Anna Johanna (DeFries) Gudenrath. He married Winifred Mutch on July 16, 1950 in Springfield, IL.

Earl is survived by his wife of 66 years, Winifred; three children, Larry Gudenrath and his wife Ann of Tolono, IL, Jane Corry of La Porte, TX and Jill Carter of Malabar, FL; five grandchildren, Cory Gudenrath of Arcola , Scot Gudenrath of Sugar Grove and Heather Collins of Mahomet, Elaine Corry of LaPorte, Tx and Sarah Andrews of Keystone Heights, FL, four great-grandchildren, Tyler, Alexis Grace, Ben and Carter and two great great-grandchildren, Jackson and Matthew.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, Gerald Eugene, Clyde, Dale and George Gudenrath and one sister, Evelyn Bernice Brewer.

Earl served in the Illinois National Guard.

He retired from USI in Tuscola, IL in 1988 with over 32 years of service.

Earl was a member of the Arcola United Methodist Church where he sang in the choir. He was also a member of AMBUCS (American Business Clubs). Earl served as a volunteer driver with Arcola Telecare and was a member of the Arcola Zoning Board of Appeals for 20 years.

Earl enjoyed tent camping and fishing with his family. They have camped and fished in Illinois, Wisconsin, the Smokey Mountains, Indiana and Missouri.

Earl avidly followed politics as a strong Republican and liked to discuss his views with others.

Earl's greatest joy in life was his family and he never ceased to let them know it.