HAROLD EDWIN DAVIS

Harold Davis

Harold Edwin Davis, 94, of Rushville died at 11:50 p.m. March 24, 2015, at the Snyder’s Vaughn-Haven Nursing Home in Rushville.

He was born Jan. 4, 1921, in Rushville, a son of Dale Edwin and Nola Blanche Bartlow Davis. He married Martha E. Smith on June 6, 1943, in Saunemin. She survives.

Also surviving are two daughters, Joyce (and Ken) Corbin and Marilyn (and Lyle) Sargent, both of Rushville; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Barbara Elaine Williams; one sister, Margaret Walker; and one brother, James T. Davis.

He was a 1938 graduate of Rushville High School and a 1942 graduate of Illinois Wesleyan with a degree in Business. Shortly after graduating from college, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served in the 108th General Hospital and was stationed for basic training in New Orleans, La. He was sent overseas as a medic, spending about 10 months in England and two years in Paris, France. In Paris, he served in the largest hospital the United States had overseas, l’hopital Beaujon. After the war, he felt honored to travel home aboard the SS Rushville Victory ship, named after Rushville, Ill.

When Harold came home from the war, he and Martha set up housekeeping in Rushville. He spent 20 years in the retail grocery business with his father, brother, James T. Davis and brother-in-law, O.E. Walker. They built the first IGA Store in Rushville after World War II. He left the grocery business in June, 1966, to sell life insurance for Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. He qualified to become a “Lifetime Member of the Million Dollar Round Table”, an organization open to all insurance companies. He enjoyed 33 years with NML. During this time, he also was the owner and operator of the Rushville Roller Rink for over 10 years.

He was a member of Rushville First United Methodist Church, having served on many committees over the years. He participated in many clubs, including Rushville Rotary where he was a Paul Harris Fellow, Rushville Jaycees and the Smiles Day Committee for 22 years. Harold also was a member of Schuyler American Legion Post #4 and attended the Honor Flight in June of 2011.

Funeral services were held Saturday at his church with Rev. Grant Armstrong officiating. Burial was in Rushville City Cemetery with Military Honors provided by a U.S. Army Honors Detail and Schuyler American Legion Post #4. Worthington Funeral Home in Rushville was in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church or Culbertson Hospital Foundation.

Condolences may be sent to www.worthingtonfh.com.

Published in the Astoria South Fulton Argus on 4/1/2015