Thomas Louis Templeton
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Thomas Louis (Louie) Templeton, age 97, of Pinckneyville passed away Sunday afternoon, June 27, 2010, at St. Clare Health Center in Fenton, Missouri.
Louie was born on Sept. 7, 1912, in Pinckneyville, Ill. to Thomas L. and Lenore (Malan) Templeton. He was united in marriage to Myrtle Eleanor Talbert on June 19, 1938, in Wayne City, Illinois. He attended Southern Illinois University and graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor's degree in 1934. He later received a master's degree from the University of Illinois.
He began his teaching career in Cobden, Illinois and taught there from 1935 - 1938; he taught at Barry, Illinois from 1938-1939. He taught agriculture at Pinckneyville Community High School from 1939 until his retirement in 1973. During his retirement he was known for his love of gardening and woodworking.
He was a Ruling Elder of the First United Presbyterian Church of Pinckneyville and Clerk of the Session. He was a member of the Perry County Fair Board for many years. Among the awards he received were the Future Farmers of America Degree of Honorary American Farmer, Honorary Degree of Illinois State Farmer, and Honorary Chapter Farmer. His leadership in the formation of the Perry County Soil and Water Conservation District in 1948 was honored in a proclamation by Governor Jim Edgar on the occasion of the district's 50th anniversary.
Survivors include three daughters: Leah Engelhardt of Kirkwood, Mo., Louise Schweizer and husband Lewis of Pinckneyville and Helena DeWulf and husband Gerald of Kirkwood, Mo. and four grandchildren: Julia Berry and husband Mark of Atlanta, Ga., Tom Schweizer and wife Angela of High Ridge, Mo., Tim Schweizer and wife Melanie of Eureka, Mo. and Michael DeWulf of New York City. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren: Ethan, Katie and Claire Schweizer.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Myrtle Templeton, his parents and one sister, Helena Templeton Jones, and an infant brother.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 on Wednesday, June 30 at the First Presbyterian Church in Pinckneyville, Ill. with Reverend Charles Walden officiating. Interment was in the Galum Presbyterian Cemetery, Pinckneyville, Ill.
Friends called at the Pyatt Funeral Home in Pinckneyville on Tuesday, June 29 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Wednesday morning from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Louis Templeton Agriculture Scholarship; c/o Brian Bender; Pinckneyville Community High School; 600 East Water Street; Pinckneyville, IL 62274.
For more information or to sign an online guest register, please visit, www.pyattfuneralhome.com.