Paul Leo Morris, 90, of Rushville died at 1:34 p.m. Dec. 24, 2018, at Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria.Paul Leo Morris, 90, of Rushville died at 1:34 p.m. Dec. 24, 2018, at Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria.
He was born Aug. 19, 1928, at home in rural Cuba, a son of Roscoe and Edith Thompkins Morris. He married Flossie E. Yancey on Oct. 15, 1960, in Beardstown. She preceded him in death on Sept. 13, 2012.
He also was preceded in death by five brothers, Jim Morris, infant Asa Ransom Morris, Eugene Morris, Roscoe Morris Jr., Raymond Morris; and one sister, Ruth Morris.
Surviving are five children, Jan (and Tony) Williams of Jacksonville, Richard “Rick” (and Cara) Morris of Virginia, Ill., Roger Morris of Stonefort, Ruth Ellen (and Steve) Hurt of Mackinaw, Paul Leon (and Misty) Morris of Rushville; three siblings, Ruby (and Dale) Bell, Bernie (and Gloria) Morris and Barbara (and Frank) Bell; 10 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a special friend, Barb Sayers. Numerous foster children and foreign students from the host family program at Western Illinois University who called him “Dad” also survive.
He was a lifetime farmer in the Cass and Schuyler counties, farming for the Luetkemeyer Farms with brothers, Eugene, Roscoe and sister Ruth, for over 60 years. He lived between Rushville and Astoria, attending church at both Astoria Christian Church and Rushville Church of Christ (Christian) where he was a charter member, having previously been a member of Sangamon Valley Presbyterian Church and Rushville Presbyterian Church. He also was a member of the Rushville Lions Club for many years.
The Morrises established “Granny’s Love N Stuff”, a Christian Bookstore in Rushville, and ran it together for many years. He retired to take care of the 90-acre farm on which he lived for almost 50 years, which was a full–time job in itself.
A Celebration of Life was held Saturday with Rev. Anthony H. Williams officiating and Larry Laswell, a foster son, bringing the eulogy. Cremation was accorded. Inurnment will be in the Rushville City Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials may be made to Richard L. Owens Hospice Home, 8630 IL Route 91, Peoria, IL 61615 or LaMoine Christian Camp, 2760 E. Co Rd. 1600, Tennessee, IL 62374.
Current Obituaries in the Astoria South Fulton Argus