Arthur T. “Ted” Horner passed away on Friday, August 16, 2024 at the Iroquois Resident Home in Watseka. He was born in Watseka on August 23, 1928, the son of Harry T. and Ruth M. (Holt) Horner and they preceded him in death. Ted married Mae Ellen Trumble on June 20, 1948 at the Watseka Methodist Church and Mae preceded him in death on July 22, 2022. He was also preceded in death by his son, Gary Horner; sister, Betty Redman; and grandson, Brett Barragree (father of Cameron Barragree).
He has one daughter, Sue Ellen (Tom) Wirks of Watseka, two grandsons, Brian Barragree of Rossville, IL and Brandon (Nancy) Barragree of Watseka; two great-grandsons, Cameron Barragree of St. Charles, IL and Ethan Barragree of Watseka.
Ted was a graduate of Watseka Community High School and a WW Il veteran serving in the occupation of Japan in 1946 and 1947. He was Watseka fourth ward alderman for five terms, Mayor of Watseka 1997-2001, and served one term on the Iroquois County Board. While serving as alderman, he authored the three TIF agreements which led to much commercial development in Watseka. He was one of the founders of the Iroquois County Law Enforcement Association and organized the Township 8 Ambulance Service. He was the Iroquois County ESDA Director and developed an emergency response plan for Iroquois County and the City of Watseka. He was a member of the IEDA Board of Directors, Watseka Masonic Lodge 446, Danville Consistory, Peoria Shrine, American Legion Post 23, and charter member of Watseka Elks Lodge #1791. In 1967, he was General Chairman of the Watseka Centennial Celebration. He was Watseka Citizen of the Year in 1982 and received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.
Ted’s working career consisted of 20 years at UARCO, Inc., co-owner of Austin Graphic Press; T & D Metal Company Plant Manager; co-owner/operator of The Chicago Store Watseka, The Chicago Store Gilman and New London Men's Wear, New London, Wisconsin, and Iroquois County Zoning Administrator. At the time of his death, he was Safety Manager for Iroquois Paving Corporation since 1991.
As a lifelong resident of Watseka, he took an active role in community development believing one should make things happen rather than letting things happen.
Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 25, 2024 at the Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka with Masonic Rites at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will also be at the funeral home at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 26, 2024 with Rev. John Franklin and Joe Hughes officiating. Burial will follow at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Watseka with graveside military rites by the Watseka American Legion Post 23.
Memorials may be made to the Iroquois Memorial Hospice in Watseka.
Please share a memory of Ted at www.knappfuneralhomes.com.
