Lauren (Bud) McLaughlin - OBITUARY

Lauren "Bud" McLaughlin
August 30, 2021
 
Lauren "Bud" McLaughlin, 100, of Troy Grove went to be with the Lord on August 30, 2021 at his home surrounded by his family.
 
Funeral services will be Saturday, September 4, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota with Rev. Jeff Brace officiating. Burial will be in Troy Grove Cemetery, Troy Grove. Visitation will be Saturday from 9:30-11:00 a.m. with a Masonic Service at 9:15 a.m.
 
Lauren was born in Dickens, Iowa to Lester and Lucy (Miller) McLaughlin on April 28, 1921.
 
They settled in Illinois when he was 6 years old. Bud lived with his Grandma so he could work on the farm. He milked 19 cows before walking 2 miles to school. He walked behind 2 mules plowing the fields and rode in a horse and buggy going to church with his Grandma.  At 17 he played his guitar in a band at Chicago’s Soldier Field.
 
He enjoyed riding in rodeos and going on trail rides or riding on his motorcycle or around in his 1937 Ford Coupe in his younger years.
 
Bud married Evelyn Wallace on November 22, 1944 on his parent’s farm in Mendota. They were married for 73 years.
 
He had many jobs over the years.  At age 15 he started working for Del Monte on the can line. Bud also was a mechanic at Linne’s working on farm machinery. He did farming, drove livestock to Chicago and had a Corn Shelling business.  Bud also owned an Artic Cat Snowmobile business.  He started the Troy Grove Fire Department and was the Chief for over 50 years.. He was the Troy Grove Road Commissioner for 20 years and also a Bee Keeper for 20 years.
 
Bud was very proud being a member of the Masonic Lodge for 76 years and was active with their School Identification program which fingerprinted and provided identification cards to children.
 
Bud and his wife Evelyn enjoyed square dancing, snowmobiling and going to Michigan on family vacations. His favorite past time was fishing. He loved going to Orr Minnesota to see his fishing family. He went on many fishing trips with his sons there..  Bud also enjoyed hunting and went on several hunting trips out West with his cousin Ralph.
 
Bud is survived by his three sons, Kenneth (Pat) McLaughlin of Mendota, Keith (Penny) McLaughlin of LaSalle, Kevin McLauglin of Troy Grove; one daughter Karen (Mark) Galloway of Dalzell; 9 Grandchildren, Diane Harrison, Matt (Jill) McLaughlin, Kenny, Ryan, Tara and Erin McLaughlin, Michelle (Matt) Dilday, Lauren Galloway and Taylor (Cory) Myers; 19 Great grandchildren; one sister, Mildred Morel of LeLand; one sister-in-law, Dorthy Wallace of Mendota and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
 
He was preceded in death by his wife Evelyn on April 26, 2018, two sisters, Margaret Davis and Ruth Stevenson, two brothers, Kenneth and Hiram McLaughlin, his parents, an infant daughter Kathy and granddaughter Marisa McLaughlin.
 
Bud was a loving, caring, thoughtful husband, Dad, Grandpa, Great Grandpa and a wonderful friend to many. Heaven gained an awesome fisherman.
 
Memorials may be directed to the Zion United Methodist Church or the donor’s choice. 

SERVICES
Visitation
Saturday, September 04, 2021 
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Merritt Funeral Home
800 Monroe Street
Mendota, Illinois 61342

9:15 A.M. Masonic Service

Funeral Service
Saturday, September 04, 2021 
11:00 AM