Harold Eugene Brookens

Name: Harold Eugene Brookens

Residence: Owaneco, IL

Date, Age and Place of Birth: January 17, 1924; 88 yrs. old; Johnson Township in Christian County, IL

Day, Date and Time of Death: Thursday, August 23, 2012 @ 7:30 a.m.

Place of Death: Meadow Manor Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Taylorville, IL

Parents: John A. and Beulah (Masters) Brookens

Marriage: He married Rosella Willingham on October 3, 1950.

Occupation: He started working for St. Vincent Memorial Hospital in the maintenance department in 1950, retiring in 1988.

Survived by Wife: Rosella

Survived by Sons: Ralph (Rosalyn) Brookens of Springfield, IL, Joseph (Brenda) Brookens of Taylorville, IL, Daniel (Gale) Brookens of rural Owaneco, IL, Larry (Jackie) Brookens of Edinburg, IL, Leroy (Rhonda) Brookens of Rosamond, IL and Thomas (Melissa) Brookens of Taylorville, IL

Survived by Daughter: Aleta Ann Raymond of rural Owaneco, IL

Survived by Grandchildren: Twenty-one (21)

Survived by Step-Granddaughters: Two (2)

Survived by Great-Grandson: One (1)

Survived by Step-Great Grandchildren: Two (2)

Survived by Sister: Elsie McKittrick of Normal, IL

Survived by Sister-In-Law: Sue (Bob) Smith of Pana, IL

Survived by Cousins: Several

Preceded by: Parents, aunts and uncles

Visitation: Will be held from 1:00 until 3:00 P.M. at the Buckeye United Methodist Church, rural Owaneco, IL

A Celebration of Life Service: Will be held at 3:00 P.M., Saturday, September 1, 2012 at the Buckeye United Methodist Church. Cremation rites were accorded.

Burial: Will be at Mound Chapel Cemetery in rural Owaneco, IL

Officiant: Pastor Betty Coffey

Memberships: He was an active member or the Buckeye United Methodist Church, where he had served in many capacities.

Other Information: He enjoyed traveling, camping and his family. Mr. Brookens attended Mound, one room grade school, and Taylorville Township High School, graduating with the class of 1941. He served in the U.S. Navy Air Force from 1942 - 1946, as a pilot flying F6F (Hellcats). He was a replacement pilot flying from the following air craft carriers: USS Bunker Hill, Hancock, Barnes, Wasp, Hornet, and Curtis. These ships were stationed in the Pacific and he participated in air strikes over Luzon, Leyte and Formosa. He spent one year at the University of New Mexico. After returning home from college he worked as a farmhand before he began work at the St. Vincent Memorial Hospital in Taylorville.