Vincent Lakin

VINCENT LAKINAge 91, of DeKalb, IL, passed away at the Oak Crest Healthcare Center, DeKalb, Thursday afternoon, December 1, 2005. Surrounded by the love of his family, this kind and gentle man, slipped peacefully away to Heaven and a long sought reunion with loved ones gone before. He was born May 6, 1914, in Elburn, IL the son of Elbert Calvin and Irene (Lowry) Lakin. Vincent grew up on the family farm that would become much of Elburn’s east side. Following graduation from Elburn High School, he joined the Civil Conservation Corp., in Oregon State where he served his country for a time before returning to help with the family farm. On February 13, 1944, he was united in marriage to Berneice Norman at the Congregational Church, Elburn. A year later and now blessed with their first daughter, Linda, they moved to a farm in Lily Lake where they farmed for the next fifteen years. Moving then to the Oatman farm in Dundee, IL, they continued there until retiring in 1983. Following his farm sale, Vincent continued "farming" on the commodities market and he and Berneice moved to Elgin where Berneice passed away on April 2, 1996. In 1997 Vincent moved to the Oakcrest Retirement Center, Dekalb where he met an old high school friend, Mary Dowd. The flame was rekindled and, at the age of 84, they were united in marriage on Aug. 29, 1998. They shared many wonderful days together, but all too soon, Mary passed away in February of 2005 and for Vincent, failing health soon followed his weary and broken heart.Vincent was always very well-read, family oriented, and a dear friend of many. He bowled and played volleyball and enjoyed golfing as well as watching both college and professional basketball. Vincent was a member of the American Legion and the Kane County Farm Bureau through which he enjoyed many trips around the country.He is survived by two daughters, Linda (John) Brewer of Barrington, IL and Holly (Steven) Caron of Rockford, Il,; five grandchildren: Steven (Caroline) Brewer of Naperville, ILAnd their children: Quinn and Emeli;Peter (Cyndi) Brewer of East Dundee, IL;Joy (Ray) Anderson of Nashville, TNAnd heir children: Dylan and Braxton.Trent (Gina) Pasano of St. Louis, MOAnd their children: Canio, Tristin and Zachary;Dawn (Guy) Lensert of Casper, WYAnd their children: Garett, Stephanie and Greg; Two step-daughters, Beverly Bower of Oswego, IL andRoberta Kraus of Sandwich, IL, Many step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren;one sister-in-law, Bernice Lakin of DeKalb, ILmany nieces and nephews and a family of friends.PRECEDEDHe joins now his parents;Both of his wives, Berneice and Mary LakinThree brothers: Harold, Perry and Forrest Lakin, who preceded him in death.SERVICESVisitation will be held Tuesday, December 6, 2005, from 11am to 1pm at Conley Funeral Home, 116 West Pierce St., Elburn. Funeral services will follow at 1pm. The Rev. Paul Meyer, Vincent’s nephew, and pastor of the Cornerstone United Methodist Church, Plato Center, IL, will officiate. Committal services will conclude at River Valley Memorial Gardens, Dundee, IL. MEMORIALS:A memorial has been established in Vincent’s name to benefit the American Heart Association. Checks may be made to the Vincent Lakin Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may be forwarded to the family at the same address or through e-mail at conleycare.com. (see In Memoriam). Information call 1-800-8-CONLEY.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 6, 2005, from 11am to 1pm at Conley Funeral Home, 116 West Pierce St., Elburn. Funeral services will follow at 1pm. The Rev. Paul Meyer, Vincent’s nephew, and pastor of the Cornerstone United Methodist Church, Plato Center, IL, will officiate

Committal services will conclude at River Valley Memorial Gardens, Dundee, IL.