Herbert Lee

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, OK, 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, IL. 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, TN, and Vicki (Tony) Monaghan of Mercedes, TX. Also surviving are one sister, Nancy Coble, and 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; 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. A celebration of Herb's life will be held at 10:00am on Friday, October 19, 2018 at Sunset Funeral Home, 710 N. Neil St, Champaign. Visitation will be held from 9:00am to 10:00am prior to the service at the funeral home. He will be laid to rest in Danville National Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made in his honor to the American Heart Association. Please join the family in sharing memories, photos & videos on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com

Visitation Oct 19, 2018 Friday, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center Champaign-Urbana Chapel 710 N. Neil Street Champaign, IL 61820 Celebration of Life Oct 19, 2018 Friday, 10:00 AM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center Champaign-Urbana Chapel 710 N. Neil Street Champaign, IL 61820 Final Resting Place Danville National Cemetery 1900 E. Main Street Danville, Illinois 61832