Stuart J. Traynor, Sr.

Stuart J. Traynor, Sr., 89, of Taylorville died at 11:30 Wednesday morning in his home. He was born September 4th, 1919 in Gillespie, Illinois, the son of Samuel Stuart and Margaret Dowdalls Traynor. 

Mr. Traynor graduated from St. Louis University School of Law in June of 1950 and commenced private practice in Taylorville that same year. He served as City Attorney for Taylorville, Pawnee, and Stonington at various times during the late 1950's as well as General Counsel for the United Mine Workers of America and the Progressive Workers of America from 1961 through 1965. He was instrumental in acquiring the land and funding for the building of Lake Taylorville. He was a member of the Illinois General Assembly from 1961-1969 serving as State Representative and later as State Senator. 

Mr. Traynor was a naval veteran of World War II, having served on Patrol Torpedo boats in the Aluetian Islands and survived the loss of two boats to enemy action in the Pacific Theatre. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus He was a life member of the American Legion. 

He married Catherine Alacoque Smith in Columbia, Illinois on October 30th, 1942 and is survived by his wife Alacoque, sons, and daughters: Stuart, Jr. (wife Barbara); Lance (wife Sallie), all of Taylorville; Mary Jane Dryer (husband Ernest) of Annapolis, Maryland; Patrick (Denise Murphy) of St. Louis, Missouri; Michael of Annapolis, Maryland; and Ann Witsman (husband Samuel) of Springfield, Illinois; eleven grand­children, and 3 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and sis­ters Catherina, Robina, Jean, and Lorna. 

Visitation will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Taylorville Saturday, December 13th, 2008 from 10:00 - 11:00 am followed by a mass from 11:00 - 12:00 noon. Internment will take place following the services in Oak Hill Cemetery, Taylorville. 

Shafer Funeral Home, Taylorville, Ill. in charge of arrangements