Carl Wesley Cahoon, age 92, passed away on March 24, 2015 at Liberty Village Manor Court in Freeport, Illinois with family members by his side, after an extended illness. He was born in Orangeville, Illinois on November 10, 1922 to Luella Myrtle (Jaycox) Cahoon and Jennings Gilbert Cahoon. Upon graduation from Orangeville High School in 1941, Carl attended the University of Illinois with an interest in agricultural engineering. In 1943 Carl enlisted in the Army Air Corp and trained in California, Arizona and Texas. In July 1944 he was deployed to Corsica to pilot B-25 Mitchell Bombers, as a first lieutenant with the "Junior Birdmen of Corsica". On his 30th mission, his plane was shot down over Italy's Brenner Pass on February 6, 1945. He was held as a POW in Germany until April 29, 1945. On February 1, 1946, Carl married Jean Dornink at the Church of the Brethren in Freeport, Illinois. Early in the marriage they farmed in rural Freeport and Florence Station. In 1955 they bought the Cahoon family homestead in Rock Grove Township and moved to the Orangeville area. In 1961 while actively farming with his son, Craig, Carl also began a 25 year sales career with Freeport Supply Company. After retirement, Carl worked part-time for ten additional years delivering vehicles for Monroe Trucks. Carl was active in the Faith United Methodist Church in Freeport for sixty eight years serving on various committees throughout his life time. In the Orangeville community, Carl served as a director for Buckeye Mutual Insurance for twenty-five years. He was also active partner in the development of the Orangeville Community Development Corporation. Carl is survived by his wife, Jean, after 69 years of marriage; sister, Faith Glaman (Freeport); son, Craig W. Cahoon (JoAnn) of Orangeville; daughter, Kay P. Chitwood (James) of Oshkosh, Wisconsin and daughter, Kathy A. Moring (Ronald) of Lena, Illinois; granddaughter-in-law Julie Cahoon (surviving wife of Chad Cahoon) Orangeville; grandsons, Chris M. Cahoon (Beth Sullivan), Orangeville, Cory M. Cahoon (Dana), Davis, IL, Matthew M. Chitwood (Heidi), Stevens Point, Wisconsin, David M. Chitwood (Andrea), Greenville, South Carolina, Stephen J. Chitwood (Kathleen), Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, Douglas M. Moring (Noelle), Playa Vista, California. Carl also enjoyed the company of his sixteen great-grandchildren: Madison, Brayden and Delaney Cahoon, Cailey and Alyse Cahoon, Trey, Braydy and Whitney Sullivan, Cannon and Coley Cahoon, Peter and Jackson Chitwood, Wesley and Rigby Chitwood, Riley and Connelly Chitwood. Carl is further survived by sisters-in-law, Jo Dornink (Freeport) and Dorothy Dornink (Galva, Illinois) and many nieces, nephews and other relatives. Carl was predeceased by his parents, grandson, Chad M. Cahoon; brother, Gilbert Cahoon, sisters: Gertrude Cooper and Pauline Wilcox.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2015 at Faith United Methodist Church in Freeport, Illinois with Pastor John Wesley Lee officiating. Friends may greet the family from 9:30 a.m. until time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Faith United Methodist Church. The family gives their special thanks to the staff of Liberty Village Manor Court and Hospice of America for the comfort and care they provided Carl.