William Colbrook Curtin, 91, of Taylorville, passed away at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, November 2, 2015, at Meadow Manor Nursing Home in Taylorville. He was born on September 16, 1924 in Bear Creek Township in Christian County, the son of Lawrence Frederick and Marie Ellen (Colbrook) Curtin. He married Margaret Kathleen “Marty” Unser, in Morrisonville on September 1, 1949, and she preceded him in death on August 6, 2010.
Mr. Curtin was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church. He served his country proudly in the US Army during WWII, in the European Theater. He belonged to a weapons platoon in the 26th Infantry, and was awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and a Bronze Star, as well as battle stars for the Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge), Central Europe, and Rhineland Campaigns. He was a member of the Stonington American Legion, Assumption VFW, American Angus Association, Illinois Angus Association, and the Christian/Montgomery County Livestock Feeders Associations. He was also active in several state cattle organizations, where he served as President of three of them in the 1960’s, 70’s, and 80’s. He worked until retirement as a farmer and cattle breeder in the Stonington and Taylorville area. Mr. Curtin served on the Christian County Historical Board for 25 years, and was director of the State Bank of Blue Mound from 1981 to 2013. He was also active in the Democratic Party throughout his life, serving on the Stonington Township Board of Auditors, May Township Board of Trustees, as well as serving 26 years on the Christian County Board, the last 8 years as Chairman.
He is survived by his two sons: Joseph Curtin of Encino, CA, Ben Curtin, wife Linda, of Taylorville; daughter, Ellen Curtin of Stonington; grandchildren: Lori Parks, husband Tim, of Taylorville; Jess Curtin of Taylorville; Margeaux Craske-Curtin of Los Angeles, CA; great grandchildren: Ian Parks, Evan Parks, Elliot Parks, Isaac Parks, all of Taylorville; siblings: Leo Curtin, wife Nancy, of Lafayette Hill, PA, Larry Curtin of Taylorville, Dorothy Tracy of Mt. Sterling, IL, Paul Curtin, wife Gail, of Austin, TX, John Curtin, wife Alice, of Taylorville; and many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Curtin was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and his sister: Catherine (Kay) Trueblood.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 5, 2015, at St. Mary Catholic Church, with Fr. Mariadas Chatla officiating. Visitation will be held Wednesday, November 4, from 5 – 7 p.m. at McClure Funeral Home. Burial will take place in Oak Hill Cemetery, Taylorville, with Military Honors given by then Stonington American Legion and the Assumption VFW. Memorials may be made in his honor to: St. Mary Catholic School of Taylorville, or Holy Trinity Altar & Rosary Society of Stonington. McClure Funeral Home of Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences to the family may be left at: www.mcclurefuneralhome.com.
