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Paul Eugene Ferguson

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Paul Eugene Ferguson

Birth
Centralia, Marion County, Illinois, USA
Death
1 Sep 2019 (aged 95)
Centralia, Marion County, Illinois, USA
Burial
Centralia, Marion County, Illinois, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
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Paul Ferguson
April 4, 1924 to September 1, 2019

Paul Eugene Ferguson, 95, of Centralia passed away Sunday, September 1, 2019.
He was born on April 4, 1924 the son of John Allen and Maude (Cunningham) Ferguson in Centralia.
He married his sweetheart, Viola Pauline Daniels on April 11, 1950 at the First Apostolic Church in Centralia and she preceded him in death on June 1, 2014.

Survivors include his loving sister, LaDonne of Centralia; devoted nephew, L. Ferguson and wife V.; brother-in-law, Harry and wife Jackie of North Carolina; kind sister-in-law, Norma and husband Leonard of Sandoval; loving caregiver, Martha of Centralia; and several special nieces and nephews.

Along with his wife of 64 years, Pauline, Mr. Ferguson was preceded in death by both his parents, John and Maude Ferguson; brother, Donald Ferguson and wife JoAnn; brothers-in-law, Bill Thompson, Orville Daniels, and Leroy Daniels; sisters-in-law, Agnes Overturf and husband Bob, Myrtle Daniels, Georgia Bartholomew, and Beulah Sampson; nephew, Mike Thompson; and great-great-nephew, Holdyn McDonal.

At 18 years old, Mr. Ferguson served with pride in the United States Army Infantry, the Air Force, and the Air Corps branches, during World War II from 1943-1946. During his time with the military he was assigned to security detail at Smyrna Air Base in Tennessee, guarding a B-24 bomber. He later served in the infantry and was sent to Scotland in 1944. Two of the major battles he served in were, the Ruhr Pocket in March 1945 and the Battle of Central Germany at Elbe River in April 1945. The bronze Star was among the many medals he earned during World War II. This proud patriot was in training to invade Japan in Europe when the war came to an end. Mr. Ferguson’s love and service for his country was acknowledged by his hometown of Centralia in 2018, when he was honored to be the Grand Marshall of the 4th of July parade.

After the completion of his service in the Army Air Force, Mr. Ferguson returned home and worked for the Friedrich Agency in Centralia. He was a loyal employee of the Illinois Central Railroad, working as both a flagman, and baggage man, taking care of travelers on the Amtrak train for 38 years before retirement. During his career with the railroad, he also worked on the IC Steam Engine which is now on display at Fairview Park in Centralia.

Paul loved the town of Centralia and was a lifelong resident. He was very involved in the community, serving as a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge, a member of the Shriners, a VFW Post 2055 member for over 70 years, assisting the VFW with graveside services for military personnel. Other memberships included, American Legion Post 446, Nights Templer, Royal Arch Masons, Sword of Bunker Hill, and 40 and 8.

Paul was a man of humor and quick wit, and never met a stranger. He loved to enjoy a good meal and raved about the food at the Senior Center in Centralia, and St. Mary’s Hospital’s cafeteria coffee. Paul jokingly would try to order possum off the menu whenever he would go out to eat, much to the delight of his servers. He was known to have a competitive spirit, being a fierce domino player, always on the lookout for some serious competitors. Paul was extremely proud of his family heritage and was able to trace his line back to both Zodak Casey, and Indian Lydia. He will be remembered for his pastime of trading vehicles with his dear friend Max Dye. The two shared the love of all the different vehicles Paul owned, his final one making a grand total of 64. It is truly difficult to capture the essence of Paul’s life. His family will carry on the legacy of his patriotism, friendship, humor, and love.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, September 5, 2019 at the Irvin Macz Funeral Home in Centralia with John Willis officiating. Masonic Rites will be held by Centralia Lodge 201 at 10:45 A.M. and a Shriners walk through to follow. Burial will follow funeral services at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Rural Sandoval with Military rites being accorded by Centralia VFW Post 2055 American Legion Post 446.

Day-Macz Funeral Homes and Irvin-Macz Funeral Homes
Paul Ferguson
April 4, 1924 to September 1, 2019

Paul Eugene Ferguson, 95, of Centralia passed away Sunday, September 1, 2019.
He was born on April 4, 1924 the son of John Allen and Maude (Cunningham) Ferguson in Centralia.
He married his sweetheart, Viola Pauline Daniels on April 11, 1950 at the First Apostolic Church in Centralia and she preceded him in death on June 1, 2014.

Survivors include his loving sister, LaDonne of Centralia; devoted nephew, L. Ferguson and wife V.; brother-in-law, Harry and wife Jackie of North Carolina; kind sister-in-law, Norma and husband Leonard of Sandoval; loving caregiver, Martha of Centralia; and several special nieces and nephews.

Along with his wife of 64 years, Pauline, Mr. Ferguson was preceded in death by both his parents, John and Maude Ferguson; brother, Donald Ferguson and wife JoAnn; brothers-in-law, Bill Thompson, Orville Daniels, and Leroy Daniels; sisters-in-law, Agnes Overturf and husband Bob, Myrtle Daniels, Georgia Bartholomew, and Beulah Sampson; nephew, Mike Thompson; and great-great-nephew, Holdyn McDonal.

At 18 years old, Mr. Ferguson served with pride in the United States Army Infantry, the Air Force, and the Air Corps branches, during World War II from 1943-1946. During his time with the military he was assigned to security detail at Smyrna Air Base in Tennessee, guarding a B-24 bomber. He later served in the infantry and was sent to Scotland in 1944. Two of the major battles he served in were, the Ruhr Pocket in March 1945 and the Battle of Central Germany at Elbe River in April 1945. The bronze Star was among the many medals he earned during World War II. This proud patriot was in training to invade Japan in Europe when the war came to an end. Mr. Ferguson’s love and service for his country was acknowledged by his hometown of Centralia in 2018, when he was honored to be the Grand Marshall of the 4th of July parade.

After the completion of his service in the Army Air Force, Mr. Ferguson returned home and worked for the Friedrich Agency in Centralia. He was a loyal employee of the Illinois Central Railroad, working as both a flagman, and baggage man, taking care of travelers on the Amtrak train for 38 years before retirement. During his career with the railroad, he also worked on the IC Steam Engine which is now on display at Fairview Park in Centralia.

Paul loved the town of Centralia and was a lifelong resident. He was very involved in the community, serving as a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge, a member of the Shriners, a VFW Post 2055 member for over 70 years, assisting the VFW with graveside services for military personnel. Other memberships included, American Legion Post 446, Nights Templer, Royal Arch Masons, Sword of Bunker Hill, and 40 and 8.

Paul was a man of humor and quick wit, and never met a stranger. He loved to enjoy a good meal and raved about the food at the Senior Center in Centralia, and St. Mary’s Hospital’s cafeteria coffee. Paul jokingly would try to order possum off the menu whenever he would go out to eat, much to the delight of his servers. He was known to have a competitive spirit, being a fierce domino player, always on the lookout for some serious competitors. Paul was extremely proud of his family heritage and was able to trace his line back to both Zodak Casey, and Indian Lydia. He will be remembered for his pastime of trading vehicles with his dear friend Max Dye. The two shared the love of all the different vehicles Paul owned, his final one making a grand total of 64. It is truly difficult to capture the essence of Paul’s life. His family will carry on the legacy of his patriotism, friendship, humor, and love.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, September 5, 2019 at the Irvin Macz Funeral Home in Centralia with John Willis officiating. Masonic Rites will be held by Centralia Lodge 201 at 10:45 A.M. and a Shriners walk through to follow. Burial will follow funeral services at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Rural Sandoval with Military rites being accorded by Centralia VFW Post 2055 American Legion Post 446.

Day-Macz Funeral Homes and Irvin-Macz Funeral Homes


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