Dr. Rex M. Adams, 79, of rural Neoga, and formerly of Mattoon, Ill., passed away at 5:00 A.M., Monday, October 2, 2000 in the Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Coles County, Ill.Dr. Adams was born January 18, 1921 in Effingham, Ill., the son of Rex and Haline (Maxfield) Adams. He married Gladys Virginia Heath on May 1,1952 in Urbana, Illinois.Survivors include his wife Virginia, of rural Neoga. One son: Rex Michael Adams of Mattoon, Ill. Two daughters; Pamela Michelle King and son-in-law, Mark King of Mattoon, Ill., and Melanie Leigh Adams and special friend David Burch of Zion, Ill. Two granddaughters: Jennifer Wade and Ashley Adams. One grandson: Cameron King and one step grandson: Ryan Logan.Rex attended and graduated from the Effingham High School in 1938. He attended Kemper Military Academy in Booneville, Missouri and graduated from Northern Illinois College of Optometry with his O.D. Degree. Dr. Adams served in World War 2, from 1944 to 1946 in the United States Army serving with the 112th Evacuation Hospital in England, Austria and Germany.Dr. Adams started his optometric practice in 1946 in Mattoon, Illinois and retired July, 1986. He was a active member in Mattoon Performing Arts, a 25 year member of the Mattoon Lions Club, a life member of the V.F.W. of Mattoon, the Mattoon American Legion, Eagles Club and Moose Lodge of Mattoon. He was an Honorary life member of the Mattoon and Effingham Fraternal Order of the Elks Club, in which he was an active member for 53 years. Dr. Adams was a member of the First Christian Church of Mattoon, Ill.The body will be cremated, and the family requests no visitation or Funeral service.Dr. Adams was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, one grandson and one granddaughter.Memorials may be made to Cancer Research at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center - 1000 HealthCenter Drive in Mattoon, Illinois. The Swengel-O'Dell Funeral Home of Neoga, was in chargeof arrangements.