John Russell “Jack” Davenport, age 91, of Sheldon passed away on September 19, 2020.
He was born on May 6, 1929 in a farmhouse south of Stockland to Darleigh and Beulah Mohler Davenport and grew up on the farm there. He went to a country school through 4th grade and then went to Stockland Grade School and graduated from Stockland High School in 1948. As a teenager he worked on the railroad during the summers during World War II.
He enlisted in the Army Paratroopers in 1948 and served at Fort Knox, Fort Benning, Fort Bragg, and Fort Campbell. He was discharged from the Army in 1950 and re-enlisted in 1951. He was sent to Japan where he then met up with the 187th Airborne RCT Unit “Rakkasans”. He went on to Korea to serve as a combat paratrooper and staff sergeant during the Korean War. He earned the Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, and Glider Badge. He returned from the Army in 1953 and married Phyllis Sheridan on September 23, 1953 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Hoopeston. She passed away on March 4, 2015.
He worked at Trudeau’s Body Shop in Sheldon from 1953 to 1978 for Charles Trudeau and then was co-owner for many years until his son, Joel, took over the business in 2016.
He and Phyllis enjoyed many trips with the Travel Discoveries group including several cruises and trips to England, Scotland, Egypt, Greece, Turkey, the Panama Canal, Hawaii and Alaska.
In addition to travelling, he enjoyed woodworking and model airplanes. He also had his student pilot’s license during the time Sheldon had an airport.
He was a member of St. Edmund’s Catholic Church in Watseka; a 50+ year member of the Sheldon Fire Department, being a trustee for the district for 15 years; a member of the American Legion and VFW; and on the Sheldon Building and Loan Board of Directors.
He is survived by his five children: Gary (Christina) Davenport of Bonita Springs, FL; Diane (Stan) Molter of Sheldon; John (Melodee) Davenport Jr. of Sheldon; Kendra (Darrell) Fredrickson of Kentland, IN; and Joel (Nancy) Davenport of Sheldon; thirteen grandchildren: Justin, Blake, Eric, Gabe, Keaton and Tanner Davenport, Jessica Jackson, Joe Molter, Weston Wessels, Will and Sophia Fredrickson, Robin Warren, Tony Miller, and Victoria Hoop; twelve great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his sister, Betty Sands of Brook, IN; brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws Marilyn Davenport of Sheldon, Mary (Kenneth) Sorensen of Watseka, and John (Judy) Sheridan, Jr. of Hoopeston; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Lester and Frank.
He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather who loved his family, was an excellent role model, and will be greatly missed.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka. A private funeral service will follow with Fr. Michael Powell officiating. Burial will immediately follow the service at Sheldon Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Sheldon Fire Department.
