John Campbell

John J. Campbell, 90, of Decatur, IL, died Tuesday, May 29, 2012, in Fair Havens Christian Home, Decatur, IL. Graveside services will be 10:00 A.M., Saturday, June 2, 2012, at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, IL, with visitation 5 to 7 P.M., Friday. June 1, 2012, at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Congregational Church, the American Red Cross, or the Boy Scouts of America. John was born March 8, 1922, to Byron and Beulah (Dickinson) Campbell, on a farm near Lawrenceville, Illinois. He attended the one room grade school (Bond) and studied under the same teacher, Benny Smith, who had taught his father. John graduated from Lawrenceville High School where he was a member of the National Honor Society, Future Farmers of America, and the marching band. He enrolled at the University of Illinois in the school for Mechanical Engineering, pledged Triangle Fraternity (engineers) and played in the marching band. In the middle of his Junior year he was drafted into the Army Air Corps, and sent to New York for Meteorology training. Upon graduation he was sent as meteorologist to Strothers Airfield in Wichita, Kansas. He was then sent to New York for training as an airfield operator and at the completion of this course, he was sent to North Africa (Egypt, Casablanca), and then to an airfield near Naples, Italy for about two years. John was transferred to an airfield near Vienna Austria. In March 1946, he received an emergency leave (and discharge) because of the fatal illness and death of his father. On September 20, 1947, John married Phyllis Anderson in Springfield, Illinois and they returned to the University of Illinois for John to finish his engineering degree, graduating in February of 1949. He worked as a Mechanical Engineer for Allis Chalmers in Springfield, Illinois for three years, the Oliver Corporation in South Bend, Indiana for four years, and then for Caterpillar Tractor Company in Decatur, Illinois for 28 years as Project Engineer. John and Phyllis had two children, Ellyn born July 10, 1950 and Kevin, born April 24, 1954. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, one sister and an infant son. He leaves behind his wife of 64 years, Phyllis, daughter Ellyn of Lincoln, Illinois, son Kevin J. (Paula) Campbell of Decatur, grandchildren Joseph Campbell of Decatur, Julie (Mike) Clark and four great granddaughters Jessica, Phoebe, Bridget, and Piper Clark of Decatur. John was a very active volunteer for many years and taught many training classes for the American Red Cross, Boy Scouts of America (recipient of the Silver Beaver Award), Decatur Power Squadron (JN grade 33 merit marks) and Illinois Department of Conservation (master instructor) and received the Sertoma Service for Mankind. John was a member of the First Congregational Church and Scout Master for several years. John J. Campbell's family would like to give special thanks to John W. Newlin, M.D. and Fair Havens Christian Home staff for all of their loving care. "
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