MAURICE L. LORING

Maurice Loring

Maurice L. Loring, 90, of Rushville died at 2:09 p.m. April 9, 2011, at Blessing Hospital in Quincy.

He was born Feb. 23, 1921, in Buena Vista Township, Schuyler County, a son of Abe and Eunice Gabbert Loring. He married Doris Corbridge on Nov. 23, 1947, in Rushville. She survives.

Also surviving are three children, John "Jake" Loring of Benton, Julie Carter of Springfield and James "Jim" (and Carol) Loring of Mundelein; one cousin, Bob (and Joan) Loring of Macomb; and three sisters-in-law, Ruth Loring of Camden, Lucille Fetch of Macomb and Maurine Corbridge Reeves of Rushville; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Arthur, Floyd and Raymond Loring.

He attended Camden High School and graduated from Rushville High School in 1938. He studied engineering at University of Illinois. At age 19, he had a winning essay that earned him a job with Berry Tractor and Equipment Company in St. Louis.

He was drafted into the Army Air Corps during World War II, serving with the 74th Troop Carrier Squadron. After his discharge from the service, he farmed with his father. He then owned a John Deere dealership and later a Ford Tractor and Jeep dealership called Loring Motors. For over 34 years, he was a sales representative for R. Hershel Manufacturing in Peoria, retiring in 1986. He also developed and sold patents for tractor parts and equipment.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Rushville, Schuyler American Legion Post #4, over 50-year member of Camden Masonic Lodge #648, 22 Club, Rushville Commandery #56, Lusk Chapter #20 Royal Arch Masons, Ansar Shrine and former Schuyler County Shrine Club.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Wood Funeral Home in Rushville. Burial will follow in Rushville City Cemetery with military rites by Schuyler American Legion Post #4. Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home in Rushville, where masonic rites will be conducted at 8 p.m.

Memorials may be made to Rushville Public Library Building Fund or Quincy Chapter of the Alzheimer's Foundation.

Condolences may be sent to www.woodfh.net.

Published in the Astoria South Fulton Argus on 4/13/2011