Harold G Townsend
(January 15, 1923 – January 13, 2013)
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 17, 2013 in Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL with Rev. E. Wade Helmkamp officiating. Visitation is from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville with military rites by the Shelby County Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Shelby Co. Honor Guard or donor’s choice.
Harold was born on January 15, 1923 in North Loup, Nebraska, the son of Charles Andrew and Ida May Thrasher Townsend. He was a U. S. Army veteran of WW II, serving from February 1943 – Dec. 1945. He was part of the European Theatre Operation and was stationed in England, Germany and France. He married Dorothy M. Bennett on July 23, 1943 while home on leave. Together they raised six children, and Bud often teased that their full and busy home could be called the “Townsend Orphanage”.
He worked for the Oliver Corporation in Shelbyville for over 30 years. He then worked for Yardman Lawnmower Factory, Kennedy’s, mowed cemeteries for Shelbyville Township, and retired from Shelby Memorial Hospital as maintenance custodian. He also enjoyed driving cars for Leach-Wilson, Grabb Motors and Don Jones Auto Sales. He liked to travel, do yard work, garden and go fishing.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; daughters, Carol Townsend of Grants, NM, Winona Anderson and husband Jon of Mattoon, Linda Stewardson and husband Carl of Shelbyville, Betty Downing and husband Larry of Milan, NM and Deborah Switzer and husband Roger of Vancouver, WA; sister-in-law, Retha Townsend of Shelbyville; brother-in-law, Robert Bennett and wife Phyllis of Chrisman; nine grandchildren, Angela Zamarrippa and husband Ike, Michael Milcarek and wife Becki, Billy Mitchell and wife Amber, Curt Stewardson and wife Rachel, Becky Mahaffey and husband David, Clint Shull and wife Shannon, Amanda McClellan and husband Lee, Joey Garcia and wife Rosalee and Rachelle Gravil; 11 great grandchildren; and numerous step great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Robert Townsend; brother, Gareth Townsend; and brothers-in-law, Earl Bennett and John Bennett and wife Laura; great grandson, Gage McClellan.
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