Ira T. Newlin

Ira T. Newlin, 82, of Palestine, IL, died at 1:05 a.m. on Thursday, April 14, 2016 at Heritage Health in Robinson, IL. He was born November 22, 1933 in Hutsonville, IL, the son of Ira Randall Newlin & Alice P. (Young) Newlin, both of whom preceded him in death. He married Betty Ruth White on December 21, 1957, and she survives. He is also survived by his children & their spouses, Marsha & Brian Rich (Robinson, IL), Melinda & Mike Cofer (Haines City, FL), Michael Newlin (Palestine, IL) and Mark & Stacey Newlin (Palestine, IL); by his grandchildren & their spouses, Shane Byrley & fiance Jessica Ortiz (Winter Haven, FL), Robert Simms (Palestine, IL), Ruth Ann & Russell Meskimen (Robinson, IL), Kasey & Emily Newlin (Palestine, IL), Brandon Cofer (Palestine, IL), Blake Newlin (Palestine, IL), Megahn Newlin (Palestine, IL), and Evan Newlin (Palestine, IL); by his great-grandchildren, Kendall Meskimen (Robinson, IL), and Aliyanna Byrley (Winter Haven, FL); and by his sister, Betty Newlin Harwood (Elgin, IL). Ira was a 1951 graduate of Palestine High School. He went on to serve his country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, and participated in evacuating refugees from French Indochina in 1954. Back home, he went to work for Briggs Pottery, before retiring after thirty years. Away from work, he could often be found coon hunting or tinkering in his garage. He was also an avid sports fan, and loved to attend his grandchildren’s ball games. He was a member of the Palestine AmVets Post #33, the Robinson V.F.W. Post #4549, and the Flat Rock American Legion Post #132. A time of visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 17th at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, April 18th at the funeral home. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery, rural Palestine. Memorials may be made to the Palestine Booster Club, with envelopes available at the funeral home.