Owen McCorkle's Obituary
Owen McCorkle, 78, of Grayslake, IL formerly of Decatur passed away on Friday, January 25, 2013 in Condell Hospital from complications due to Parkinson’s.
Owen was born May 3, 1934 in his home near Olney, Illinois to Frank and Nellie McCorkle. He attended school in Bellflower, Illinois. He had a strong focus on education and completed his BS and MS in education from Illinois State University and a Specialist in Education from Eastern Illinois University. Owen was a guidance counselor at Macon High School until his retirement and also taught drivers education. He was very involved in the Decatur American Legion Post 105 where he held many offices and help start and administer the American Legion Scholarship Fund. He served as a medic in the Army and loved to tell every one of his adventures while stationed near Chicago. He also was involved with the Veterans Group at Carillon North in Grayslake. Owen was member and president of the Illinois Guidance Counselor Association for multiple years and was Democrat Precinct Captain. He was a Die Hard Cubs Fan and loved going to Wrigley Field. He also loved to travel and traveled with friends and family to most of the US and many foreign countries including Ireland, Austria and Italy. He was very involved in his kids and grandkids lives attending plays, music concerts and multiple sporting events when he was near. He loved the annual All Grayslake Band-o-Rama where all of the town’s bands and especially the marching bands played and zoo camp at Brookfield Zoo! He was also very patient to help with homework. He was very proud of all of the accomplishments of all of his grandkids.
Owen is survived by his loving wife Barbara (Robinson) McCorkle; daughters Robin Aoki (Bruce) of Grayslake, Illinois, Karen O’Rourke (Bill) of Bartlett, Illinois; grandchildren Ryan, Allison & Kathleen Aoki, Paige and Will O’Rourke and many other loving family members and friends.
Owen was preceded in death by his parents and siblings.
Services to celebrate the life of Owen Ray McCorkle will be 2:00 PM Saturday, February 2, 2013 in the Star of Hope Chapel, in Graceland Cemetery with military rites by the Macon County Honor Guard and conclude with 'Flight Home' Visitation will be 2 hour before the service at Star of Hope. Memorials may be directed to the American Legion Scholarship Fund c/o American Legion Post 105. 1535 Legion Drive, Decatur, Il 62521.
The family of Owen Ray McCorkle is being served by Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, 2091 N. Oakland Avenue, Decatur, IL. View the on line obituary and send condolences to the family at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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