Cordy L. Heron

Danville- Cordy Lee Heron, 83, of Danville, formerly of Ridge Farm, passed away at 9:06 PM on Sunday, December 8, 2013 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. He was born on December 30, 1929 in Ardmore, OK, the son of Cortess and Vera Martin Heron. He married Mazie Smith who preceded him in death on July 16, 1976. He then married Rachel Jane Robins on March, 18, 1978 in Ridge Farm, IL. She survives. He is also survived by two sons, Don Heron of Racine, WI and Martin (Jeanie) Heron of Thompson Falls, MT; two daughters, Natalie H. (Bud) Harford of Kenosha, WI and Lisa M. (Jaime) Ruiz of McHenry, IL; step-son, Robert W. (Shawna) Davenport of Wake Forest, NC; step-daughter Robin (Scott Francis) Davenport of Cleveland, OH; a sister, Laveen Ham of Guthrie, OK; four grandchildren, Chad (Katie) Heron, Shawn Harford, Daniel Ruiz, and Zach (Samantha) Heron; three step-grandchildren, Nicole, Alex, and Elayna Davenport; two great-grandchildren, Alyssa and Reagan; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his first wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Marsha, and a grandson, Keefe Harford. Cordy served his country by enlisting in the United States Navy where he was active from the end of WWII to the Korean War. He flew as a pilot on aircraft carriers, including the USS Bataan and the USS Kansas. After earning his Bachelors at the University of Tennessee, Cordy went to work for JI Case Company where he became the Regional Manager of Retail Enterprises. His thirty year stay at Case took him all over the Northern Hemisphere until his retirement in 1985. Cordy was also very active in his community. He attended St. James United Methodist Church in Danville and was past president of the Eastern Illinois Shrine and member of the Western Indiana Shrine. He also served as the past Mayor and Village Trustee for the Village of Ridge Farm and as a board member and guide for the Vermilion County War Museum. In his free time Cordy loved to travel, fish, and play golf. Cordy had a real sense of humor that will be missed by all. His family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Brij Sodhi and staff for their excellent care, his friends at Charlottes, Bob and Sandi Randall and the rest of their “family” at the Ambassador, and his many friends including those in Ridge Farm, IL and Marco Island, FL. A memorial service to celebrate the life of Cordy Heron will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, December 28, 2013 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, A Life Celebration Home in Danville. Pastor James Blue will officiate. Private burial will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery in Ridge Farm. Visitation will be held from 12-2 PM, prior to the service, also at Sunset in Danville. Cremation rites have been accored. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Vermilion County War Museum, the ANSAR Childrens Hospitals, or the donors choice. Please join Cordys family in sharing memories of his life through his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.