Howard B. “Brad” Lorton, 92, of Cowden, formerly of Ramsey, died on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Effingham.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thrusday, Nov. 6, at the First Baptist Church in Ramsey, with Pastor Nick Robertson officiating. Burial will follow at Lorton Cemetery in rural Cowden. Miller Funeral Home in Ramsey is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Lorton was born Feb. 13, 1933, in Fayette County, the son of Louis Albert and Mildred Vivian (Forbes) Lorton. He served his country in the United States Army from 1950 to 1953 during the Korean Conflict. He worked as an electrician and was owner of Lorton Electric in Ramsey. He was a member of the Ramsey American Legion and the Clover Leaf Masonic Lodge #990 AF and AM in Herrick. He loved playing the mandolin and enjoyed listening to bluegrass music. In his younger years, he loved square dancing. He was a fan of Illini basketball and the St. Louis Cardinals. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He never met a stranger, and referred to everyone he met as friend.
Mr. Lorton is survived by his children, Jay Lorton of Fillmore, Denny (Monica) Lorton of Ramsey, Louis (Margaret) Lorton of Greenville, Mark Lorton of Ramsey, Valerie (David) Brown of Ramsey, Vickie (Byron) Bowman of Mt. Zion and Mistie (Kristopher) Adermann of Ramsey; grandchildren, Jade (Dalton) Forehand, Amy (Aaron) Cowzer, Kristen Lorton, Heather (Chuck) Zieber, Melissa (Tyler) Barnett, Aaron Lorton, Alex Lorton, Jerad (Kendra Albright) Lorton, Kayla (Keith) Van Uytven, Natasha (Matt) Hites, Zach (Alyssa) Brown, Breanna Brown, Megan (Michael) Holman, Austin (Stephanie) Bowman, Kyle (Moriah) Adermann, Kolten (Jadelin Skelton) Adermann and Kendell (Camille) Adermann; great-grandchildren, Hannah, Sarah, Cade, Hallie, Caroline, Cheyanne, Claire, Jacob, Abigail, Andrew, Kassidy, Karlee, Matthew, Marcus, Mackynzie, Graham, Kaleb, McKenna and Eliana; siblings, Marcia Freeman, Marilyn (Tom) Narasaki, Sandra (Charles) Crouch, Sharon (Gary) Cable, Gary (Anita) Lorton and Mike (Anita) Lorton.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers and four sisters.
Memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Ramsey, Ramsey Food Pantry and/or the Ramsey Lions Club.
Online condolences may be left at www.millerfh.net.
