Lewis Davis

Lewis "Kelly" Davis

Age 85 of Wilmington, passed away Monday afternoon, November 28, 2011 at Embassy Care Center in Wilmington.

Born February 22, 1926 in Lancaster, South Carolina, Kelly was a son of the late John M. and Ennis Evans-Davis. He was raised and educated in Lancaster and was a Veteran of the United States Navy, having honorably served during World War II. On November 24, 1950, Kelly married Ida Fae Higginbotham in Noblesville, Indiana, and together they made Wilmington their home. Kelly was employed by Uniroyal at the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant. It was while working at Arsenal, that he also became a T.V. repairman, owning and operating Kelly's T.V. and Repair in Wilmington. Kelly later became an electrician, where he was a member and worked out of both IBEW Local #51 in Springfield, and Local #176. Kelly's other memberships included the A.F. and A.M. for over 60 years, Wilmington Moose Lodge and the Wilmington American Legion. In Kelly's free time he enjoyed hunting, golf, bowling and especially fishing for crappies.

Survivors include his loving wife of 61 years, Ida Fae Davis of Wilmington; four children: Pamela Sue (James) Kammann of Limestone, Ronald Lewis (Fiance - Karen Womack) Davis of Campus, Steven L. (Fiance - Cindy Staszak) Davis of Coal City, and John Kevin Davis of Wilmington; ten grandchildren: Lisa Marie (Brad) Raymond of Ransom, Sara (Eric) Rabideau of Kankakee, Heather Davis, Kathryn Davis and Patrick Davis all of South Wilmington, Shawn Davis of Coal City, Josh Davis of Wilmington, Kellie Jean Davis of Aurora, Erin Michelle Davis of Wilmington, and Molly Rose Davis of Wilmington; six great-grandchildren: Alyvia Marie Raymond, Carter Raymond, Dominick J. Rabideau, Alexis Tinsley, Jacob Cerruti and Lillian Autumn Davis; aunt: Frances Cauthen of San Francisco, CA; numerous nieces and nephews, including: Ann Thompson, Bobby Thompson and Debbie Beckman, and various cousins, which include special cousins: Stephen Evans and Stacie Schmaltz of Wilmington, and Elizabeth Wilson and Robert Davis, both of South Carolina, as well as special extended family members and relatives in Indiana.

Kelly was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters: Margaret Davis and Doris Thompson, and one nephew John Thompson.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday November 30, 2011 from 4:00PM until time of Masonic Services 7:00PM at Freitaga�"Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington. Friends and family will then gather Thursday morning at 9:30AM at the funeral home for a 10:00AM procession to Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, where Full Military Honors will be conducted at 10:30AM.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Kelly's memory to the National Kidney Foundation (www.kidney.org)

Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family, by logging onto: www.FRBfuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington (815) 476-2181.