Paul Louis Wieburg

Paul Louis Wieburg, 92, of Danville, IL and formerly of Pekin, ILpassed away on June 8, 2014 at the VA Liberty House in Danville. Paul was born on May 20, 1922 in Pekin, Illinois to Theodore Hudnut and Viola Mae Short Wieburg.On July 4, 1940, he and Ann Marie Bingham eloped and were married at St. Charles, Missouri.Ann died on June 25, 1976 in Champaign.Jean Thompson of Danville has been Paul's best friend and constant companion since the early 1990s. Surviving are his companion, Jean Thompson, Danville, daughter Cheryl Kennedy, Mahomet, and her children Kurt (Kelly) Kennedy, Rochester, and Kim (Shannon) Cheek, Mahomet, daughter-in-law Camille (Terry) Wieburg, Silverdale, WA and her children Brett (Tawan) Wieburg, Sammamish, WA, and Trent Wieburg, Seattle, WA, and great-grandchildren Mackenzie and Dominic Wieburg, Sammamish; Dakota and Eli Kennedy, Thea, Drew and Gage Swales, Rochester; Morgan and Raegan Cheek, Mahomet. In addition to his wife and parents, Paul was predeceased by his brothers, Kenneth, Horace, Richard, Russell, and Bruce Wieburg, sister Theola Wieburg, son Terry Wieburg, and great-grandson Donovan Kennedy. Paul served in the Pacific Theater during WWII.He began his service with the Coast Guard in November 1943.After boot camp and training, he boarded the LST 785 in New Orleans.He learned ship routine and the job of carpenter's mate while they traveled through the Panama Canal to California and then to Hawaii.The LST went to Saipan, the Philippines, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa and participated in the assault and occupation of Iwo Jima and Okinawa in 1945.The ship anchored off of Nagasaki after peace was declared and they saw the devastation of the atomic bomb. Paul and Ann were both raised in Pekin and moved to Champaign in 1964.Paul worked for Schramm Construction while in Pekin and Kuhne Simmons Construction in Champaign.During this time, he served as foreman or superintendent of construction for the following projects: St. Paul's Evangelical and Reformed Church in Pekin, Sparland Community High School, Pekin Community High School, Burnham Hospital, Carle Clinic, University of Illinois Administration Building and Illinois Residence Hall, the parking decks at 5th and Daniel and 6th and John, the Market Street interchange at Monticello, the Cisco overpass, and the People's Gas Plant.Paul retired in 1984. Paul enjoyed golf and he was a fan of the Illini, the Cubs, and the Cardinals.He served as a Red Vest Volunteer for Danville Provena Covenant Hospital.Paul was a life member of the Elks Club and Carpenters Local 44.He was a member of Danville American Legion Post 210, VFW Post 758 and the Disabled War Veterans.Breakfasts and Friday evening meals with their friends at the American Legion Post 210 in Danville was a highlight of the week for both Paul and Jean. Described by his caregivers at the VA Liberty House as fiercely independent, Paul struggled with an active mind in a rapidly deteriorating body.His appreciation for his new 'family' grew with each smile and gesture of care and concern he experienced during his time there and for this, we will be eternally grateful. Visitation in Danville will be held at the Liberty House, 129 Heroes Lane (in the Veterans Village on the right at the Iowa Street entry to the VA campus), on Saturday, June 14 from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.Memorial services will be held on Friday, June 20 at 11 a.m. with visitation one hour prior at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 101 N. 8th St., Pekin. Rev. Laurie Hill will officiate. Burial with military honors will be at Lakeside Cemetery, Pekin. Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to VA Illiana - Voluntary Services, note in the memo section 'Liberty & Freedom Green House homes', Danville or to St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Pekin. Cemetery Lakeside Cemetery 1917 N. 8th Street Pekin,IL 61554 Memorial service Friday, June 20, 2014 11:00 AM St. Paul United Church of Christ 101 N. 8th Street Pekin,IL 61554 Visitation Saturday, June 14, 2014 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Liberty House 129 Heores Lane Danville,IL Visitation Friday, June 20, 2014 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM St. Paul United Church of Christ 101 N. 8th Street Pekin,IL 61554