This memorial website was created to remember Porter E. Brush who was born in Lawrenceville, Illinois on June 30, 1920 and passed away on October 30, 2008. He will live forever in our memories and hearts.
Porter E. Brush, 88, of Peoria, passed away at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, October 30, 2008, at Proctor Hospital in Peoria.
Porter was born on June 30, 1920 in Lawrenceville, a son of Simon and Helen (Schnepper) Brush. He married Georgiana Hughes on January 15, 1943 in Greenville, SC. She preceded him in death on July 19, 1995 in Peoria.
His parents; son, Gregg Hughes Brush; and three brothers, Bill, Dick and Paul; and sister, Helen Hughes, also preceded him in death.
Porter is survived by his sons, Dick (Kathy) Brush of Millstadt, Randy (Karen) Brush of Dunlap and Kim (Patti) Brush of Bloomington; daughter-in-law, Cheryl Brush of Davenport, IA; nine grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; brother, Leroy Brush; sister, Ailene Helbing; and long-time companion, Dorothy Slopak.
Porter was formerly a plumber in the Gridley-El Paso area and was formerly employed as a plumber at Methodist Medical Center in Peoria.
He was a World War II and a Korean War veteran, serving with the U.S. Army Air Corps and U.S. Army. He obtained the rank of Sergeant First Class and earned the Bronze Star, the Korean Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, a Meritorious Unit Citation and the World War II Victory Medal. After his honorable discharge, he served with the National Guard, for fourteen years, attaining the rank of Sergeant Major. He was very patriotic and tried to be a realist, during Vietnam and Desert Storm.
He enjoyed golf; homemade ice cream; big band music and music of the 1940’s, especially Glenn Miller; Bradley Basketball; and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
Porter was very meticulous and no nonsense. He believed in doing things right the first time. People always knew what he liked and what he didn’t like. You knew when you had crossed the line. He was built like iron, a hard worker and had a strong Catholic faith.
Porter attended St. Jude Catholic Church in Peoria, where a memorial service for friends, family and all whose lives he touched will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 8, 2008, with Fr. R. Anthony Lee officiating. Interment will be at Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the National Kidney Foundation.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Clary Funeral Home in Peoria.
Patti Geske |
Mrs. |
November 10, 2008 |
Dear Dick and Kathy,
You and all of your family have my deepest sympathy on the loss of your Dad. Mike lost his father in May. We certainly understand. Our prayers are with you all.
Susie Estes |
Karen and "Randy's" sister |
November 7, 2008 |
Dear Family of Porter Brush,
My deepest sympathy and prayers go out to all of you.
Even though we know he has gone to be with our Father
in heaven , it is still very hard to say goodbye. I thank
all of you for sharing him and letting me feel like he was
a part of my family too. Just thinking of some of my memories
that I have of him.... puts a smile on my face.
He was very proud of all his sons, daughter in laws and
grandchildren! He loved you all. May God be with you and
bless you during this sad time. Susie
Kim and Allan Hart |
friends of Lisa Burns and Sheryl Brush |
November 7, 2008 |
Dear Lisa and Sheryl,
Our hearts go out to you. We are so sorry for your loss. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
May God bless you and give you strength during this difficult time.
Kim and Allan Hart
Tom and Melissa Shrier |
Our prayers are with you |
November 7, 2008 |
Porter was a great guy, who always had a story to tell. What a wonderful life! He will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Brush family.
God Bless
Tom and Melissa
Tom Quinn |
Appreciative |
November 7, 2008 |
Nearly 60 years ago on a sub zero night the furnace went out in the house at our farm near Gridley. After another plumber failed to fix it and walked away, my dad called Porter in ElPaso and he came out and worked on that furnace until 3:00am and got it running. As my dad thanked him, especially for us kids, Porter just smiled and said, "I'm just doing my job."
When I joined the National Guard in 1959, Porter was our First Seargent and he was a "Soldier's Soldier". He stood tall, and did not demand respect, he earned it. He had that aura about him that he was the real-deal. Thanks, Porter, your family can be proud.