Obituary
Lawrence A. Wileman, 70, of Washington, IL passed away at 7:05 am October 30, 2010 at Snyder Village in Metamora, IL. Larry, as he was known to his family and friends, was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend to all who knew him.
He was born on January 9, 1940 in Lewistown, IL to Charles S. and Edith M. Butler Wileman. He married Naomi K. Payne in Denmark, IA. She survives.
Also surviving are two sons, Rik (Tina) Wileman and Mike (Tonya) Wileman, and one daughter, Teri Jean Nester, all of Washington, IL; eight grandchildren, Brandon, Kerik, Kasey (Rob), Sierra Shay, Megan, Brodie, Kori, and Brock; one great-grandson, Cooper; two brothers, Ernie Wileman of Peoria, IL and Jim (Colleen) Wileman of Wyoming, IL, and many nieces, nephews, and in-laws.
He was preceded in death by his parents and 2 brothers, Edward Wileman and Ralph Wileman.
Larry was a US Army veteran serving with the 18th Artillery Division.
Larry worked at Caterpillar Tractor Co. in Mossville for 30 years, retiring in October of 1993. He also worked in the Sunnyland area as a barber and also owned the "Dairy Dream" ice cream shop in Sunnyland. The "Dairy Dream" sponsored Mike's baseball team and gave free banana splits to the boys who got home runs.
He also was a Scout Master for Cub Scout Pack #206, a member of Caterpillar's Retirees Club, and the UAW Local #974 Retirees. Larry was an avid golfer in the summer and a league pool player in the winter, and bowled in a league for many years when he as younger. He was the "Mr. Fix-it" of the neighborhood and could do anything from fixing a car to building a house. He volunteered for Senior Olympics, and enjoyed playing on the computer and listening to country music. You could often find Larry playing a Johnny Cash song on his guitar, and he also played the harmonica. During the summers, he could be found fishing with his children, grandchildren, and friends and for many years he hosted a neighborhood fish fry at the end of the fishing season.
Services will be at 10 am Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington. Rev. Dr. James Lillie will officiate. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Hillcrest Memory Gardens in rural Morton.