Published: November 22, 2009 05:47 pm      

HOMER ‘JUNIE’ CORNWELL JR.

Homer “Junie” Cornwell Jr., 85, of Georgetown passed away at 3 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, at the Veterans Affairs Illiana Healthcare System in Danville.

He was born April 21, 1924, in Georgetown, the son of Omer and Florence Emma Acord Cornwell. He married Helen Kovack on May 10, 1947, in Georgetown; she survives.

Those who will miss him include a son, Gregory (Lynn) Cornwell of Naperville; a daughter, Kathy Galyen of Georgetown; his grandsons, Derek Galyen of Missouri City, Texas, Kurtis (Mary) Galyen of Mahomet, Justin, Adam and Aaron Cornwell, all of Naperville. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Wayne; and a sister, Deloris “Babin” Cook.

Homer was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in WWII from 1943-1945. He was a private first class in Company L 143rd division infantry and also with the Texas Rangers. Homer was in the battle of Salerno and the African European Theater; he was awarded the Purple Heart medal.

Homer was employed as a guard at the Newport Ammunition Plant in his early years and later worked for Illinois Power for 16 years and last at the Zeigler Coal mine in Newman. He was a member of St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church of Georgetown, life member of American Legion Post 203 of Georgetown, and also the D.A.V. and the V.F.W.

Homer loved politics, in which he was instrumental with his wife’s election for Vermilion County auditor. He was also a Democrat precinct committeeman and Georgetown Township chairman for several years. Homer was an avid Chicago Cubs and Bears fan.

Most of all he loved his family and grandsons. The family would like to give special thanks to the nursing staff at the VA Building 101, Ward 2.

A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009, at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church in Georgetown with Father John Paninski officiating. Place of rest will be in the Georgetown Cemeter with military rites performed by the Georgetown American Legion Post 203. Visitation for family and friends will be 4-8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23, 2009, at Sunset’s Houghton-Leasure Funeral Home in Georgetown. A rosary service will be after the visitation at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church or to VA Illiana Healthcare System. Condolences to his family can be made at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com