Edward “Ed” Lee, 81, of Litchfield, Illinois, formerly of Petersburg, passed away on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, at his home.
A memorial gathering will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to noon at Hurley Funeral Home in Petersburg. A memorial service will follow at noon, with Jerry Stone officiating.
Mr. Lee was born Sept. 30, 1942, in Long Point, to Dale and Rita (Burton) Lee. He married Mary Rose Malley on Nov. 17, 1962, at St. Anthony’s Church in Streator.
In his working years, Mr. Lee owned and operated Ed Lee’s Garage, worked for Rittenhouse (International Harvester), worked for AMAC Grain Elevator in Petersburg as an assistant manager and was the head mechanic technician at Orchard Valley Golf Course in Aurora. He was a past officer of the Menard County Jaycees, a state representative in Illinois and served roles on the National level as well.
Mr. Lee enjoyed working and tending his garden in his retired years and canned many vegetables that he produced. He volunteered his time with the PORTA and Litchfield high school wresting teams as a scorekeeper, timer and announcer for many years, even driving the bus to transport the team to meets. He liked to fish, golf and watch a lot of baseball on the television. He also coached his sons and many others in the baseball programs in Petersburg at all levels.
Mr. Lee is survived by his wife, Mary Lee; two sons, Joe (wife Nora) Lee of Jacksonville, Illinois, and Brian (wife Andrea) Lee of Hardin; one daughter, Julie (husband Michael) Sutton of Petersburg; grandchildren, Samuel (wife Michele) Lee, Hannah (husband J.T.) Tierney, Clara (husband Dan) Berkley, Abigail (husband Ben) Sutton, Blake (wife Amanda) Sutton, Cam Lee, Gabby Lee and Grace Ballard; great-grandchildren, James, Molly and Nora Mae Tierney, Henry Lee, Amelia and Leland Berkley; and step-great-grandchild, McKinley Berkley. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Jane Rollins.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Petersburg Jaycees or to PORTA Wrestling. Condolences and memories may be shared online at hurleyfh.com.
