KANKAKEE, Ill. —  Paul Emil Sarrazin, 84, of Wilmington, Ill., passed away Friday, June 1, at Provena Saint Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee, Ill., with his family at his side.

Born Nov. 17, 1927, in Greene, Paul was the youngest son of the late Arthur and Albina Lamothe-Sarrazin.

On Feb. 14, 1953, he married Jean Powlesland at the South Ruislip USAF Base in London, England. Paul served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 until his discharge in 1946, when he then joined the U.S. Air Force. It was the Air Force that Paul gave 20 years of distinguished service until his honorable discharge in 1966. Paul then worked at the Joliet Arsenal in Elwood, Ill., until his retirement in 1974.

Paul loved his family and friends, and will be remembered for his enjoyment of golf, gardening, outdoor activities and watching football while playing pinochle with his sons and granddaughters. Paul was also a baseball umpire in the “A” and “AA” minor leagues while serving in the Air Force and started an organized umpire league in Wilmington.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Jean; sons, Paul (Pam) Sarrazin, Dale (Jacqueline) Sarrazin and David (Valerie) Sarrazin; daughter, Carolyn (Randy) Koehn; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brothers, Rosaire (Liane) Sarrazin, and Pete (Lorraine) Sarrasin; sisters, Theresa (Joe) St. Hilaire, and Florence (Carroll) Sylvester and brother-in-law, Lionelle Ferland.

Paul was predeceased by his parents; brother, Phil (Jeanette) Sarrazin; sisters, Mary (Adrian) Labbe, Loretta (John) McCormick, and Lydia Ferland.

The family wishes to expend special appreciation to the staff at the Quincy, Manteno and Hines V.A. facilities, as well as the Blessing, Riverside and Saint Mary’s Hospitals for the tremendous care. A special thanks to the Provena Saint Mary’s MICU for their help and support during this time.

Guest book and additional information at www.FRBfuneral.com.