Obituary Gordon R. Babcock, 82, of Washington, IL died at 2:43 am Sunday, March 6, 2011 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL. Born on July 13, 1928 in Canton, IL to Herbert L. and Bessie F. Redfern Babcock, he married Helen L. Shell on November 25, 1953 in Piper City, IL. She survives. Also surviving are 3 children; Marge (Mark) Cunningham and Keith (Judith) Babcock, both of Washington, IL and Barbara Babcock of Ladson, SC; 1 brother, Herb (Virginia) Babcock of Louisville, KY; 1 sister, Janet Blodgett of Pekin, IL; 3 grandchildren, Jennifer Cunningham of Washington, IL, Kipp (Kara) Edwards of Victoria, TX, and Chris Edwards of Mahomet, IL, and 2 great-grandchildren, Abigail and Isabel Edwards. He was preceded in death by his parents and 1 brother, Maurice. Gordon served in the United States Navy for 2 years as a radio operator. As a young boy, Gordon worked in his father's print shop in Canton, IL. He became a life-long printer, last working at Edward Hine in Peoria, retiring in 1991. He was a member of Crossroads United Methodist Church in Washington, Masonic Taylor Lodge #98, and also volunteered with the consistory in Peoria. He also received a Meritorious Service Award from the Illinois Council of Deliberation in June 2006. After retiring, Gordon was a part-time driver for Uftring Auto Group. Funeral services will be at 11 am Thursday, March 10, 2011 at Crossroads United Methodist Church in Washington. Pastor Bob DeBolt and Pastor Tom Goodell will officiate. Visitation will be from 4-6 pm on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at Deiters Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington with a Masonic service at 5:45. Additional visitation will be 1 hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be at Hillcrest Memory Gardens in rural Morton, where military honors will be accorded by the United States Navy. Visitation MAR 10. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Crossroads United Methodist Church 1420 N. Main Street Washington, IL, US Service MAR 10. 11:00 AM Crossroads United Methodist Church 1420 N. Main Street Washington, IL, US