Larry & Wilma Pearson Obituary (2020 - 2021)

A joint memorial service for Wilma R. & Lawrence H. Pearson, both of Pana, will be held on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. in McCracken-Dean Funeral Home with Pastor Leon Goff officiating. Graveside military rites will be held at Mound Cemetery, Pana following the service. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until service time in the funeral home. Wilma passed away at the age of 89 on May 4, 2020. She was born October 28, 1930 in Pana, the daughter of William & Ruth (Denton) Shuman. She graduated from Pana Township High School in 1948. Larry passed away at the age of 94 of May 16, 2021. He was born July 2, 1926 in Pana, the son of Oscar Brian "Sam" & Gwendolyn (Price) Pearson. Upon his graduation from Pana Township High school in 1944, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served from 1944-1946, primarily as a ship radarman on the LST-842 during World War II. He was very proud to be a veteran. Wilma and Larry were united in marriage on September 15, 1951 and lived most of their entire life in Pana. Wilma was a homemaker and an excellent seamstress. She enjoyed sewing, cooking, playing golf, attending school events and being involved with her family. Larry worked for the U.S. Postal service for 45 years, first as a city letter carrier and second as a rural letter carrier until his retirement in 1993. In his earlier years, he was an avid fisherman. In later years, he enjoyed playing golf and was a former member of the Pana Country Club. Larry and Wilma are survived by their children, Rhonda (Dwain) McAfee, Pana, IL and Brad (Diane) Pearson, Shelbyville, IL; grandchildren: Eric (Jane) Dial, Kelly (Torey) Whitaker, Randy (Nicole) Beck, Michele (Jason) McMillin, Stacia (Shane) Bennett, Bree Beeson, Jason McAfee, Justin McAfee, Jared McAfee, Angie Stevens & Zach Ruot; 24 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. They were preceded in death by their daughters, Paula Dial & Brenda Beck and by their respective parents. Memorials in their honor may be made to the Pana Mound Cemetery and will be accepted by McCracken-Dean Funeral Home who is assisting the family.