Wilbur J. "Bud" Whitcomb, 84, of Minonk, passed away at 6:15 a.m. on Monday (May 4, 2009) at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home in Minonk. The Rev. Ivy Silas will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home and one hour before the service on Thursday. A Masonic service will follow the visitation at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Burial will be in Minonk Township Cemetery with full military rites.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Minonk United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.ruestmanharrisfuneralhome.com .

He was born on Feb. 16, 1925, in Barrington, a son of George H. and Ruth Katlow Whitcomb. He married Frances Walsh on June 6, 1949, in Rantoul. She passed away on May 9, 1970.

Surviving are three sons, Richard (Ellen) Whitcomb, Villa Park; and John (Sally) Whitcomb and Joe (Gerri) Whitcomb, both of Bloomington; two granddaughters, Kelsey and Molly Whitcomb, Bloomington; and one grandson, Jacob Whitcomb, Bloomington.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, George Whitcomb.

Bud taught at Roanoke-Benson Junior High School for 30 years.

He was a member of Rob Morris Lodge 247 in Minonk and Minonk United Methodist Church. He served 15 years as the township assessor and seven years as trustee in Minonk.

A Navy veteran, Bud served his country during World War II.