Eddie “Ed” W. DeSpain

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Eddie “Ed” W. DeSpain, 84, of Paw Paw, Illinois who left us on March 29, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Eddie was born February 18, 1941, in Hodgenville Kentucky, the son of Sam and Eva (Clopton) DeSpain of Buffalo, Kentucky.

He was raised in Paw Paw and graduated from Paw Paw High School. Eddie was a resident of Paw Paw for nearly 75 years. He married Judy M. Vincent June 30, 1962, at Paw Paw Baptist Church. Ed and Judy were married for 62 years. Ed’s work history started at Safranek’s grocery store in high school. He took his strong work ethic to Wurlitzer Piano Factory, Swift, Impact Industries, and ended his career at Northern Illinois University working in custodial services. He was a lifetime member of the Paw Paw Lions Club, a two-time president and over time was the chair of many different committees. For his achievements he was honored as Grand Marshall in the 2016 Paw Paw Labor Day Parade and was also honored with the 2018 Melvin Jones Fellow Award for dedicated humanitarian services by the LIONS Club international Foundation. He also spent time mentoring local youth as a coach for Little League baseball and umpired for many years after coaching.

Ed is survived by his wife Judy; sons Travis (Alyssa) DeSpain of Montgomery, Illinois and Terry (Valerie Sams) DeSpain of Cincinnati, Ohio; grandchildren Joe DeSpain, Amanda DeSpain and Hannah DeSpain; sisters Helen (Emmett) Perkins of Buffalo, Kentucky, Stella “Gertrude” Atwell of Jackson, Tennessee, Phyllis Becker of Buffalo, Kentucky, Sue Hoelzer of Jackson, Tennessee, and Barb (Jim) Wilkinson of Jackson, Tennessee.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Ruby Shofner and Mary DeSpain (1941), his brother at birth Sam DeSpain Jr. (1939), brothers-in-laws Grady Shofner, Gary Hoelzer, Shelby-Jim Atwell, Butch Becker, Jim Bickford, and his grandson at birth Jeffery DeSpain (1993).

In lieu of flowers or other gifts, please donate to the Paw Paw United Methodist Church or Paw Paw Fire Department.

Visitation will be held at Paw Paw United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 5th from 9:00 am-11:00 am followed by a funeral service at 11:00 am at the church.. Burial will take place immediately afterwards at Wyoming Cemetery in Paw Paw. Fellowship and lunch will be at the church following the graveside services. Please visit www.TormanFuneralHome.com to sign the online guest book.