Louis Stivers, Jr.'s Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Louis Stivers, Jr., age 90 of Charleston and formerly of Carlinville, IL, entered his Heavenly Home on Sunday, August 30, 2015 while at Heartland Christian Village in Neoga, IL. Visitation for family and friends will be held Thursday, September 3, 2015 from 10:30 until Noon at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. Graveside Services and Military Rites, honoring and celebrating his life, will follow at Haven Hill Cemetery in Olney, IL beginning at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday with Pastor Mike Southards officiating. Following the Graveside Service, family and friends are invited to gather at The Holiday located at 1300 South West Street in Olney. It is requested that thoughtful donations in his honor be made to the Salvation Army or to the E.I.U. Foundation - Panther Club. Gifts may be left during the visitation or graveside service or may be mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920. Lou was born on October 21, 1924 in Olney, IL, a son of the late Louis and Margaret (Utz) Stivers, Sr. He married June Gardner on August 20, 1947 in Olney and they celebrated 64 years of marriage prior to her death on August 22, 2011. Lou is survived by their two sons, Michael L. Stivers and wife Debbie of Bethalto, IL and Philip A. Stivers and wife Laurel of Cincinnati, OH; two granddaughters, Rebekah (Brian) Beloungy of Troy, IL and Sarah (Ryan) Ford of Cincinnati; and three great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Stivers, Elijah Ford and Ethan Ford. Lou also enjoyed many close friendships which include Ed and Barbara Corley and Rick and Carole Everett, and Lou's family wishes to express their appreciation and gratitude not only for their friendship but the many times they provided assistance to Lou when it was needed. Lou was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Penny Stivers; two brothers and two sisters. Lou was a graduate of Olney High School and attained both his Bachelors and Masters degrees from Eastern Illinois University. He played football at both the high school and college levels and was offered a contract with the Detroit Lions, but instead chose to pursue his career in education. He was employed by the Carlinville, IL Public School District for 35 years, first as a teacher and coach and later as principal of its elementary school. Lou was also an Army Air Force veteran who proudly and honorably served his country during WWII. He held membership in the Mattoon American Legion Post 88, E.I.U. Panther Club, Illinois High School Coaches Hall of Fame and the Eastern Illinois University Hall of Fame. He was a man of faith and has been an active member of First Christian Church in Charleston for many years. Lou's love for sports remained throughout his life and he actively followed EIU sporting events as well as being an avid fan of Chicago Cubs baseball. His interests also included woodworking, golfing and traveling. Lou could initiate a conversation with anyone and was always interesting and pleasant to talk with. He was a man of good character and respected by many.
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