Lee, Herbert Melvin 'Sonny' Jr.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: LEE.H001
• _FGRAVE: 194037679
• Military Service: Viet Nam War, Specialist Fourth Class, United States Army

Notes:

Herbert M. Lee, 83, of Fisher, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, October 15, 2018 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Herb was born December 17, 1934 in Oilton, Oklahoma, the son of Debbie (Stewart) Lee Myers and Herbert M. (“Doc”) Lee.

Raised in Southern Illinois, he graduated from Clay City High School, the only child in his family to do so. On September 11, 1957 he married the love of his life, the former Marian Bell, in Olney, Illinois. She survives, lovingly releasing him from this life after 61 years of marriage.

Herb and Marian are the parents of three children, Michael (Lisa), who sadly died in 2013, Gwen (Mark) Farnsworth of Murfreesboro, Tennessee and Vicki (Tony) Monaghan of Mercedes, Texas. Also surviving are one sister, Nancy Coble; ten grandchildren, Travis (Melissa) Barnhart, Kacie (Daniel) Lind, Matthew McGarigle, Lauren Farnsworth, Caleb Farnsworth, Owen Farnsworth, Mikayla (Ben) Wallace, Cameron Johnson, Caitlin (Micah) McCoy and Shannon Monaghan and five great-grandchildren, Eli Barnhart, Nora Lind, Mikynlee Wallace, Sam and Sadie McCoy.

In addition to his son, Herb was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Jean Dulaney, Mary Jo Scammahorn and Dorothy Hough.

Known by his family as Sonny, he greatly loved his many nieces and nephews, sisters in law and brothers in law who became the brothers he never had.

Herb retired as an over-the-road truck driver, but was also a talented carpenter and woodworker. After retiring he began driving a school bus for Fisher schools. He loved “his” bus kids, decorating and having en-route parties for various holidays and especially enjoyed having end-of-the-year pizza parties for them. Herb was a favorite among the school’s athletic teams and also enjoyed driving them as often as possible. He was even featured in a WCIA news segment called “Good News” which highlighted his dedication to the kids he transported safely every day.

Herb was saddened when he was forced into “retirement” from his bus driving career for health reasons in 2005. His love for his bus kids was reciprocated throughout the years even up to his final days as these kids, now adults, would recognize him with hugs and handshakes whenever they saw him in the community, some even visiting him in the hospital during his last few days.

Herb will be greatly missed by his family, his many friends and neighbors, his community and his dear friends and fishing buddies Steve Zehr and David Nugent.

Sunset Funeral Home

Military Service:
Sonny was in the Army in the ground missile division at Travis A.F.B., Fairfield, CA

Herbert married Bell, M.M. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. LEE, Michael 'Mike' was born in UNKNOWN; died in 2013.
2. LEE, G.
3. Lee, V.

H.M.D. + Stewart, D.. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]