Gerald Wayne "Babe" Hamblin
DOWNS--Gerald Wayne "Babe" Hamblin, 87, of Downs passed away Friday, May 11, 2018 at Liberty Village Leroy Manor. His funeral service will be 11:00 AM Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at Beck Memorial Home, Bloomington. Pastor Thomas Wirsing will officiate. Interment will be in Hopewell Cemetery, Downs, Illinois, immediately following the service. Visitation 5;00 PM-7:00 PM Monday and 10:00 A.M. -11:00 AM Tuesday, at Beck Memorial Home.
Babe was born October 19, 1930, in Stanford, a son of George and Verl Wirrick Hamblin. He married Maxine Tallon on December 4, 1955 in Downs. She preceded him in death on October 19, 2002.
Surviving are his children, Rodney (Angie) Hamblin, Downs; Sandy Hanes, Machesney Park; Randy (Rhoby) Hamblin, Bloomington; and Roger Hamblin, Henry; grandchildren, Josie, Jerin, Beckie, Kristi, Tiffany, Trisha, Jennifer, Anthony, Roger Jr.; and his great grandchildren, Jack, Jaelyn, Kaelie, Kelvin, Ellie, Will, Daisy and Connor. Also surviving is his sister Margie (Dale) Wade, Maroa.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, five brothers and one sister.
Babe and Maxine enjoyed farming in the Downs area for most of their lives. He was fond of his John Deere tractors. He especially loved his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Babe never met an animal he didn't like. He taught his children to try to fix anything and how to care for tools and vehicles. Donations may be made to Wish Bone Canine Rescue or Humane Society of Central Illinois. The family would like to thank the very special caregivers at Liberty Village Leroy Manor, and the doctors, nurses, and staff at OSF St. Joseph's Hospital, who provided Babe with such tender care.
Please view the obituary and share your condolences and memories online at www.beckmemorial.com
Joy Holt
I'm so sorry for your loss. I'd like to share some real hope with you. In Psalms 146:4 tells the condition of the dead. "His breath goes forth, he returns to the earth and that very day his thoughts perish." Genesis 3:19 says from dust you are and dust you return. In Acts 24:15 the bible promises a resurrection of our loved ones back to earth. When Jesus resurrected Lazarus from the dead, he brought him back to earth. He's going to do that on a much larger scale in the future. In Psalms 37:11+29 says man will live forever on the earth in peace. That was God's original purpose, for Adam and Eve to live forever in the garden of eden. God's purpose hasn't changed. That's why he gave his son to die for us, Joh 3:16, so we could have everlasting life. Our loved ones will be back on earth to live forever in paradise. JW.org