Randall Black

Randall M. Black

"Randy"

Age 63 of Wilmington, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday October 24, 2006 at Provena St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet.

Born July 24, 1943 in Fairbury, Illinois, Randy is a son of Opal (nee Bennett) and the late Frank Black. He was a graduate of Wilmington High School with the Class of 1961 and was a veteran of the US Navy. Randy was a member of the Wilmington Fire Department for 41 years, having served twice as Fire Chief and presently was president of the Wilmington Fire District Trustees. He was a member of the Wilmington Moose Lodge and the American Legion. Randy retired as a shift engineer at Dresden Nuclear after 33 years of service and worked part-time with his son Owen for Equipment Management of Channahon. He was an avid motorcyclist, loved mowing his grass and most of all enjoyed spending time with his family.

Survivors include his loving wife Mary (nee Douglas); two sons: Phil of Chicago and Owen (Michelle) of Wilmington; one daughter Shelly of Wilmington; two grandchildren: Lexi and Phoenix; his mother Opal Black of Wilmington; one brother William (Geraldine) Black of Reddick; Uncle Paul Bennett of Thawville, Illinois; two cousins: Roger and Sharon Bennett; mother-in-law Eleina Douglas of Gardner and two sisters-in-law: Earla (Ray) Bell of Gardner and Marjorie Flynn of Wilmington, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Randy was preceded in death by his father Frank, aunt Vi Bennett and father-in-law Ab Douglas.

Visitation will be held on Friday October 27, 2006 between the hours of 4:00PM and 8:00PM and Saturday October 28th from 10:00AM until time of funeral services 11:00AM at The First United Methodist Church, 401 East Kahler Road in Wilmington. Rev. David Lagos-Fonseca and Rev. Shirley Pulgar-Hughes will officiate and burial with full military honors will follow in Oakwood Cemetery in Wilmington. All family and friends are then invited to join together for a funeral luncheon at the church immediately following the graveside services.

Friends may sing the online guestbook by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Preferred memorials in lieu of flowers may be made as gifts in Randy's memory to: The Wilmington Fireman's Benefit Fund, The Wilmington Fire Angels or The American Diabetes Association.

Funeral services and arrangements are under the direction of Reeves Funeral Home in Wilmington.