Benjamin Louis
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Benjamin E. Louis, age 61 of Urbana, passed away on Feb. 5, 2008, at the University of Chicago Medical Center in Chicago.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8, at the First Baptist Church at 1602 North Prospect Ave. in Savoy. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9, at the church. Revs. Larry Kasper, Tom Richardson and Ronald Strack will officiate. Burial will be in Prairie View Cemetery at Savoy. Morgan Memorial Home at 1304 Regency Dr. West in Savoy is handling arrangements.
Benjamin was born on Feb. 20, 1946, in Pinckneyville, a son of Benjamin N. and Bertha E. Louis. He married Judith L. Graul on Sept. 11, 1965, in Pinckneyville, and she survives.
Also surviving are three sons, Wade E. (Sara) Louis of Mahomet, Ryan E. Louis of Springfield, and Jared E. Louis of Tolono; one daughter, Kara (William) Nelson of Tolono; three granddaughters, Ellie Nelson and Josie Nelson both of Tolono and Madison Louis of Mahomet; two grandsons, Jacob Louis and Jack Louis, both of Mahomet; two brothers, Elmer Louis and Harold Louis, both of Pinckneyville; and two sisters, Clara Wright of Pinckneyville and Betty Henseler of Collinsville.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, George Louis and Charles Louis; grandchildren, Logan Nelson and Taitum Nelson.
Mr. Louis served in the U.S. Army where he was named outstanding trainee cycle 2, Company E, 3rd Battalion, 3rd BCT Brigade 1969, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He was sports complex manager at Fort Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, and Arrmy HHC basketball team.
He received a bachelor's degree in 1968 and a master's degree in 1971 from the University of Illinois. Benjamin was named Illinois Basketball All-State 1964. He was inducted into the Illinois High School Basketball Hall of Fame and received four letters for athletic participation at the University of Illinois. He earned three letters in basketball from 1965 to 1968, named captain for his senior season, and lettered in track in 1966. He was a member of Grants and Aid. Benjamin was a regular contributor to the Fighting Illini Scholarship Fund, and recipient of the Chief Club for outstanding support of Illini Athletics.
Benjamin worked for Country Insurance and Financial Services for 37 years. He served as agency manager of Crawford County for two years and of Champaign County for 32 years. He was named All-American 24 times by Country Insurance and Financial Services and inducted into the Country Hall of Fame in 2003. He was the recipient of the 2007 Don Speichinger Award for district manager, as voted by his peers. He also received numerous other industry accolades for superior customer service and achievement.
He was a member of Meadowbrook Community Church Champaign; Judah Christian School board; Campaign Chair of the Stewardship Initiative Leadership Team; and the Urbana Country Club.
Memorial contributions may be made to Meadowbrook Community Church in Champaign or Judah Christian School, in Champaign.