Rex L. Godwin

Biography Rex L. Godwin, age 88, of Lawrenceville, Illinois passed away on Monday, December 16, 2013. He was born on December 10, 1925 in Bicknell, Indiana to Michael and Martha Godwin. After graduating from Bicknell High School, Rex was drafted into the Army and served in World War II for two years as a tank commander in the 3rd Army, 3rd Division, 26th Tank Battalion, Company B, commanded by General Patton. He fought in England, Germany, Czechoslovakia, and France and earned the Bronze Star for combat in the European Theater, the American Theater Ribbon, a Good Conduct Ribbon, and the WWII Victory Medal. After the war ended, Rex returned to Indiana and attended college. He earned an AS in Education at Vincennes University, a BA in Elementary Education at the University of Evansville, and an MA in Education at Indiana University in Bloomington. In addition, he continued to take post-graduate courses at Indiana State University and at Eastern Illinois University. Rex was a school teacher for 31 years and taught the majority of his time in Lawrenceville, Illinois at Parkview Junior High, Arlington Elementary, Central Elementary, and Lincoln Elementary. He also served as the principal of both Lincoln and Central Elementary Schools for 10 years until his retirement in 1983. In the summers, he taught GED classes at Lawrenceville High School, which helped adults wanting to obtain a high school diploma to prepare for their General Education Development test. He was as a member of the American Legion, the VFW, the Illinois State Teachers Association, and the National Education Association. Rex was an avid reader and a life-long learner with a deep interest in history. His other hobbies were gardening and restoring antique furniture. Rex was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Kathryn "Kay" Godwin, his sister Hazel Tomey, and his brothers Gilbert, Homer, Tom, James, and Paul Godwin. He is survived by his sister Mary Bennett, daughters Carol Houston (Kent Houston) and Jan Parsons (Chris Eisenhut) , grandchildren Travis Piper (Andrea Piper) and Kristin Kent (Seth Kent) , and great-grandchildren Dayton and Hadley Piper, and Kaydence Kent. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 PM CST Thursday at Emmons-Macey & Steffey Funeral Home in Lawrenceville. A short memorial service will begin at 7 PM Thursday at the funeral home. A private burial will take place in Lawrenceville City Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the VFW or the American Legion .

Funeral Service

DEC 19. 7:00 PM (CST)

Emmons-Macey & Steffey Funeral Home 1303-12th Street Lawrenceville, IL