John Allen Milbourn

John A. Milbourn, 74, died Saturday, April 18, 2009, at Illinois Knights Templar Home in Paxton, Illinois. His body was cremated and a memorial service will be held in Lexington, Nebraska, on Saturday, May 9, 2009, at 3:00 p.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Chapel with Reverend John Craig officiating. The Family will receive visitors at the funeral home from 1:30-3:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 9th. John was born April 26, 1934, in Odessa, Nebraska to Claude and Doris Milbourn. He married Lela Schultz of Loda, Illinois on February 14, 2001, in Paxton, Illinois. John held many jobs in Lexington. He began as a paper boy, worked at the local hatchery and Prasch’s Grocery Store. In 1952, he graduated from Lexington High School. He joined the National Guard in 1956, he began his service in the U.S. Army and spent 1957-1959 at Fort Richardson, Anchorage, Alaska. After military service, John worked at Cash-Wa Candy Company while attending business classes at Nebraska State College in Kearney, Nebraska. In 1961, he began working for the U.S. Postal Service in Lexington. He retired in January of 1992. In 1997, John moved to Rantoul, Illinois. He volunteered many hours at the local Air Museum in Rantoul. John suffered a stroke in June of 2004 and then lived at Heartland Care Center in Paxton prior to moving to Illinois Templar Home in December of 2004. Survivors include his wife, Lela of Loda; sister, LaVonne (Richard) Smith of Rantoul; sister-in-law: Delores Milbourn of Omaha. Surviving nephews are Michael (Sharon) Milbourn, Lincoln, Nebraska; Christopher (Gwen) Smith of Paxton, Illinois, and Cory (Gloria) Milbourn of Omaha, Nebraska. Also surviving John is niece Lana (Steve) Sample of Paxton, Illinois. Surviving great-nephews are Dustin Smith, Cody Sample and Seth Milbourn. Surviving great-nieces are Elizabeth Smith and Resa Milbourn. John was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Leroy. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be directed to: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.