Henry Curry

Private family graveside services will be held in North Fork Cemetery. Memorial services will be 11:00 AM Saturday, April 9, 2011, in Central Christian Church, with visitation from 9:30 to 10:45 AM prior to the service. Arrangements are by Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home.Memorials: Central Christian Church, or donors choice.Henry was born on March 9, 1923, in Decatur, Illinois, the son of Henry B. and Dorothy England Curry. A lifetime resident of Decatur, he attended Stephen Decatur High School, graduated from Lake Forest Academy, Lake Forest, Illinois, and Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, with a B.S. in mechanical engineering. Following graduation Henry served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.Upon returning to Decatur in 1946, he was employed at A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company as a mechanical engineer for two years. He entered the family farming business in 1948 and his son Carl joined him in 1975. Henry's love of the land and all things farm-related lasted throughout his life. After more than 40 years as a steward of the land in Macon and Christian counties, he retired in 1993.He joined the Citizens National Bank of Decatur in 1959, as vice president of correspondent banking. During his decade of employment, he helped to launch some of the first computer banking services in central Illinois.He married Nancy Ann Vollrath of Clinton, IL in 1950. He later married Claudia Karagas Taylor of Chicago and Decatur in 1984. Among Henrys many interests was his work as a private and commercial pilot. He especially enjoyed flying for Lindsay-Schaub Newspapers in the 1970s. Playing golf was one of his favorite pastimes and he was proud of his low handicap. As an avid photographer, he traveled overseas, chronicling his trips. In later years he enjoyed his winter home in Scottsdale, Arizona.Henrys community service includes: March of Dimes, Macon County Mental Health Board, and the Macon County Farm Bureau.His other memberships include: Central Christian Church, where until recent years he served as Deacon, the Country Club of Decatur, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.Surviving are his wife: Claudia; son: Carl E. Curry and wife Jeanne of Decatur; daughter: Nancy Bavor and husband Dr. Clayton, of Los Altos Hills, California; two stepdaughters: Jennifer (David) Koval, of Scottsdale, Arizona; and Melinda (Dave) Williams, of Seattle, Washington; sister: Ann Curry Buck, of Scottsdale, Arizona; grandchildren: Sarah Curry, Charles Curry, Natalie Curry, Clayton (Kelly) Bavor, Anna Bavor; nephew: Dr. Stephen (Norma) Buck of Scottsdale, Arizona; niece: Linda (Dennis) Laws, of Lompoc, California; and four step-grandchildren. His parents and an infant nephew preceded him in death.The family wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to DMH Hospice and to the superior expertise and kindness of Drs. W. Franklin, M. Valesco, S. Sobol, and J. Waters for their years of caring for H.B. "
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