Harold W. Doty

Surrounded by his devoted wife, their children and other family members, Harold W. Doty, a sinner redeemed by grace, moved to his eternal home on Sunday, February 4, 2018. Harold was born on June 20, 1925 to Wilson Wayne and Mercy Alta (Tennery) Doty on the family farm in rural Beecher City, IL. He married Orda L. Walden on January 6, 1947 in Shelbyville, IL. She survives.

Also surviving are their children Douglas (Carla) Doty of Metamora, Stanley Doty of East Peoria, Dianna (Douglas) Delinski of Metamora, Rickie C. (Lisa) Doty of Metamora, April (Steve) Nauman of Germantown Hills, Dorwin Doty of Washington, Brian (Karen) Doty of East Peoria. Other survivors include daughter-in-law Donna Doty; 39 grandchildren, 60 great-grandchildren; sisters Lois Shull and Evelyn (Samuel) Miller; sister-in-laws Jeannie Doty and Janet Doty; a plethora of nieces and nephews; and Jeffery Park and Jenni (Park) Robison, honorary grandchildren. He was preceded in death by son Harold "Monte" Doty, daughter-in-law Shelley (LeBaube) Doty, grandson Shawn Sarver, infant great-grandsons Jeffrey Doty and Gage Maurice, four brothers, and four sisters.

Harold was a World War II Army Veteran who served in the Pacific Theater. A member of the Masonic Lodge 665 in Beecher City, he was also very involved in the community where his family was raised, serving as President on the Riverview Grade school board, as an American Legion Post 1115 Post Commander, coaching his sons' American Legion baseball teams, along with serving many years as Trustee on the Spring Bay Township board, and volunteering for his church's food pantry are just a few of the ways he offered a helping hand to those around him.

Harold was a millwright at Caterpillar, retiring after 35 years of service. He was a champion at horseshoes and an outstanding baseball player in his younger years. He enjoyed playing pinochle and working on jigsaw puzzles which he frequently declared had a piece missing. A wonderful "Mr. Fix-It", a one man neighborhood watch detail, and a prayer warrior for his family and friends. A man who enjoyed chatting with just about anyone, listening to his children and grandchildren sing and play music, who had great one liners, and always had one more "I love you" and story to tell before you walked out the door.

As a member of The Greatest Generation he was proud that he fought for his country, that at the age of 87 he was able to go on the Greater Peoria Area Honor Flight with his son Dorwin, and that he was a member of the UAW. But of all his accomplishments he took the most pride in and blessing from the loving and supportive large family he and his wife created who have learned from them the value of hard work, and what love, honoring vows, commitments, sacrifice, having faith, and being part of a family really means.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, February 16, 2018 at RiversEdge United Methodist Church in Spring Bay with Reverend Floyd Blackard officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Thursday, February 15, 2018 and also from 9:00 am until 9:45 am prior to his service on Friday all at the church. The family is asking people to wear St. Louis Cardinals or the color red to represent his love for that team. Burial will be in Spring Bay Cemetery with military rites accorded by the Spring Bay Legion Post 1115. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to his church RiversEdge UMC. Online condolences at www.masonfuneralhomes.com.