Marcellus Bacon's Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Marcellus Milo Bacon, age 92 of Charleston passed away on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at Mattoon Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. Visitation for family and friends will be held Saturday, May 9, 2015 from Noon until 2:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. Funeral Services honoring and celebrating his life will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, at the funeral chapel with Reverend Dr. Bob Swickard officiating. Burial will follow in the Oakland Cemetery in Oakland, IL. The family requests casual attire for those attending the visitation or service. It is preferred that in lieu of flowers, thoughtful donations in his honor be made to Lincolnland Hospice or to the Sarah Bush Lincoln Foundation - New Regional Cancer Center. Gifts may be left during the visitation or service or may be mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920. Marcellus was born on October 8, 1922, a son of the late John and Viola (Beavers) Bacon. He married Jacqueline Delorma Ashmore on May 9, 1942 in St. Charles, MO. She was his high school sweetheart and they were blessed with 62 years of marriage prior to her death on November 4, 2004. He is survived by their two children, Vicki Sue Richard and husband Glenn and Terry M. Bacon and wife Ann, all of Charleston; five grandchildren, Todd Bacon of Charleston, Tammy (Chris) Devore of Greeley, CO, Michael (Tanna) Richard of Cedar Rapids, IA, Susan (Anna Johnson) Richard of Fargo, ND, and Missy (Kara) Eich-Richardson of Amherst, MA; 8 great-grandchildren, Savannah and Jack Devore, Luke, Abby and Libby Richard, Maya and Sydney Weiss, and Sean Eich-Richardson. He was also preceded in death by an infant sister, Marcella Bacon, a sister, Charlotte Ritchal and a brother, Norman Bacon. Marcellus was born and raised in Oakland, Illinois and was a 1940 graduate of Oakland High School where he participated in the basketball and track programs. He held employments with the Mattoon Foundry as well as Moore Farm Buildings, but Marcellus was primarily a life-long farmer, with acreage located northeast of Charleston as well as in Hutton Township. He was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church family in Charleston. Marcellus was a unique individual and his interests were many and varied. He had acquired quite a collection of antique tools and John Deere tractors, and his membership in the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association fueled his interest in collecting old automobile license plates. Throughout the years he enjoyed camping and fishing with friends and he loved to travel, especially with his fellow Voyagers at Prairie State Bank. When he wasn't using his hands as a steward of the land, he was usually busy with his next woodworking or metal creation - he had crafted more than 80 canes. As a youth he cut broomcorn, his gardens usually consisted of rare and different varieties of vegetables, and he enjoyed working jigsaw puzzles, going to garage and auctions sales, playing cards and square dancing. Marcellus' life radiated kindness, goodness and honesty. He defined the meaning of a "true gentleman" in a simple yet classy kind of way. His sweet and gentle demeanor, mixed with a keen sense of humor always made it pleasant to be in his company. He was well respected and always spoken of in a kind and complimentary manner. He was a blessing to his family and they are forever grateful for such a wonderful father and grandfather as they remember and celebrate the many positive and loving ways in which he touched and influenced their lives.Click to view Marcellus' memorial video.
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