Wallace R. Lorey Obituary (1920 - 2016)

Wallace R. Lorey of Decatur, IL passed away at home on June 11, 2016, 4 days shy of his 96th birthday. A memorial service to celebrate Wallace's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at First Congregational United Church of Christ, Decatur, IL. Dawson & Wikoff West Wood Street Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorial contributions may be directed to Decatur Memorial Hospital Hospice. Wallace was born on June 15, 1920 in Leon, Iowa where he lived until enlisting in the Air Corps in 1941. He served as a Staff Sergeant in the 4th Photomapping Squadron, working in South America and the South Pacific region from 1941-1945. After his discharge, he enrolled at Bradley University in Peoria, IL and began at Caterpillar Tractor Co. while in college. Wallace married Laurel Evangeline Stokes on March 17, 1951. Wallace graduated from Bradley University in 1949, Summa Cum Laude and entered the accounting training program at Caterpillar. Thirty-four years were spent with Caterpillar in Peoria and Joliet, including many years in the international auditing division. He and Laurel retired to Ooltewah, TN where they lived until returning to Illinois in 2005. Wallace is survived by his wife: Laurel Lorey of Decatur, IL; three daughters: Paula (George) Mackey of St. Paul, MN, Nancy Lorey of Champaign, IL and Norma (Steve) Morrison of Decatur, IL; grandchildren: Lee Mackey of Los Angeles, CA, Colleen Mackey of St. Paul, MN, Christopher Lenz of Minooka, IL, Eric Lenz of College Station, TX, Craig (Kim) Morrison of Evansville, IN, Steve (Lisa) Morrison of Manteno, IL and Ryan (Kelly) Morrison of Carbondale, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings and leaves behind many nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank the Decatur Memorial Hospital Hospice program for their compassionate expertise. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com.