Harold C. Huston

Harold C. Huston, 91, formerly of Rushville and Girard, Ill., passed away Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, at his residence in Chandler, Ariz. He was born in Mt. Sterling, Ill., on Dec. 29, 1929, to Irvin and Nelda (Traeger) Huston. He graduated from Rushville High School in 1947 and entered the U.S. Army, serving with the 560th Field Artillery Battalion as a forward observer during the Korean War. The three years, seven months and six days he served in the military were the most defining years of his life; during that time he was briefly reported as MIA, a story he enjoyed relating, and he received among other awards the Purple Heart. In 1952, upon his release from the military, he married June (Goldsborough) Huston, with whom he had three daughters: Beth, Colleen and Teresa. Harold was employed by Bartlow Brothers (Korntop Meats) for over 22 years and retired from Peabody Coal Company in 1989. During his years in Rushville, he played softball and umpired for Little League. On July 3, 1992, he married Pearl (Sexton) Caudle, and they lived in Girard and wintered in the Rio Grande Valley for 14 years. She preceded him in death on June 12, 2019. While living in Girard and Virden, he served as president of both communities' senior citizens centers and was an active lifetime member of The American Legion. Harold enjoyed keeping active even after retirement, driving a school bus for both Rushville and Girard schools, riding 1,000 miles a year on his bicycle, gardening, playing pool and walking.
His family will remember with a smile his pride in wearing his Korean Veteran hat everywhere he went. Harold was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Paul, Dorus, Gerald and Donald Huston; and his sister Mae Egbert. He is survived by his three daughters, Marie Beth (Dan) Oakley, of Littleton, Colo.; Colleen (Jim) Warren of Marion, Ind.; and Teresa (Larry) Boyd of Queen Creek, Ariz.; eight grandchildren: Andy (Callie) Brehm, Amy (Curtis) Laabs, Spencer (Stephanie) Owen, Curtis Owen, Kelsey (Nathan) Mitchener, Nathanael (Courtney) Warren, Faith Warren and Caitlyn (Adam) Koeberlein; seven great-grandchildren; and several step-children, step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren. Burial at the Bethel Ridge Cemetery in Atwater, Ill. Memorials are suggested to The American Legion.