George W. Newlin's Obituary
George Wesley Newlin passed away on October 24, 2019. He was born on October 1, 1927, in Martinsville, IL, son of Roy Calvin and Mattie (Hall) Newlin. In 1945, he graduated from Martinsville High School and entered the United States Navy.
After a 2 year stint in the Navy, he studied accounting at Sparks business College in Shelbyville, IL. While standing in a registration line he met a beautiful young girl with a winning smile Luretta May Stewardson. They dated for 2 years and were married at Central Christian Church in Decatur, IL on January 21, 1950. Moving to Decatur after finishing Sparks he started work at Jarvis Oil Company where he stayed til 1963. In 1957 he and his wife were blessed with a son, Dr, John Wesley Newlin. From 1963 to 1967, he worked for Kaiser Chemical. In 1967, he started work as an Office Manager for Sol Tick and Company where he worked til his retirement in December 1999.
After his retirement he enjoyed spoiling his grandchildren and transporting them wherever they needed to go.
Sadly, the past decade has been spent in the nursing home with his wife Luretta due to the ravages of Alzheimer’s Dementia. He has received excellent and compassionate care at Decatur Rehabilitation. The family thanks Dr. Rademacher and his staff for years of quality care. The love of his life Luretta passed 2 weeks ago and he gave up after that.
He is survived by his son Dr. John Newlin; his grandchildren Whitney (Matt) Welch of Oreana, Marissa, Nicholas and Nathaniel Newlin, all of Decatur; great-granddaughter, Bailey Welch of Oreana; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Clarence Lee, Edgar Henry Dwayne “Duff” and Ernest Newlin; his sisters, Mary Jane Black, Alta Newlin, Mamie Newlin, Zita Zimmerman, and Nita Halls also by his daughter- in-law, Sara Newlin.
George was a multifaceted man. He was an avid coin collector starting in his youth and belonged to the Decatur Coin Club. He had a passion for genealogy and belonged to the Decatur-Genealogical Society in years past. He assisted in compiling the Newlin Family genealogy from 1683 to 1965 for publishing in the early 60’s.
Few knew it but he loved to yodel. Saturday nights was often spent listening to the “Grand Ole Opry” and he also enjoyed hunting and playing pinnacle. Most of all he loved history. In 1683, his ancestors Nicholas and Nathaniel Newlin were brought over by William Penn. They started a grist mill in Media, PA. From this mill the Newlins supplied corn meal to General Washington’s troops in nearby Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-1778. His great grandfather Calvin Newlin rode the trails out to California in 1850 to search for gold. At the turn of the century his grandfather and father were sooners, staking a claim in Oklahoma Territory.
From 1968-1971 he was president of the Macon County Historical Society. He was instrumental along with several others in the founding of the county museum complex on North Fork Road, and the Yesteryear Fair. For several years he was on the board of the Governor Oglesby Mansion. He attended the civil war round table in Decatur for many years.
Visitation services to celebrate the life of George Newlin will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 29, 2019, at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. Funeral services and committal services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, October 30, in the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association.
The family of George Newlin is being served by Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, 2091 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur, IL. Please view the complete online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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