Paul Stone, 101, passed away February 11, 2017 at his home in Sullivan. Paul was born September 21, 1915, in rural Jasper County Illinois, the oldest of eight children of Claude and Ruth Stewart Stone. His family moved to Moultrie County in 1916 where his father farmed. Paul attended numerous one room country schools until entering Sullivan Township High School and graduating in 1933. Following graduation he worked three years in Sullivan at the Brown Shoe Company for 12¢ per hour, ten hours per day, six days per week. In 1936 he entered the University of Illinois where he met the love of his life, Thelma Jones, who he married February 5, 1939, in Benton, IL. In 1940 he received a B.S. in General Business, the first in his family to earn a college degree. In 1942 he received his law degree from the University of Illinois. He was honored by the UI Law School as its February 1973 Alumni of the Month.

He was admitted to the practice of law September 14, 1942, and practiced law in Sullivan for 55 years until he retired as senior partner of Stone, Stone and Hanson in 1998 at age 82. Paul was a past president of the Sullivan Kiwanis Club and the Moultrie County Bar Association.In 1950 he was elected as a State Representative to the 67th General Assembly from the 24th District [Moultrie, Champaign and Piatt counties] and served one term.

In 1961 he was appointed by Governor Otto Kerner to the Teacher’s College Board for Eastern Illinois, Northern Illinois, Western Illinois and Illinois State Universities. He served as Chairman in 1965-1966.

In 1966 he was again elected State Representative from the 48thDistrict [Moultrie, Champaign and Douglas counties]. He was re-elected four times until retiring in 1976. He served on the Higher Education Committee during his 12 years in the House, serving as the committee minority spokesman in the 78th General Assembly as Vice-Chairman and as Chairman of the Democratic Conference in the 79th General Assembly.

In 1978 he was elected to a six year term on the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. He served as Board President in 1981 and 1982. In 1988 he received a Special Recognition Award from the University of Illinois College of Medicine for his long-standing support of the College.

He is survived by his children Elaine (Fred) Heavy, Reeds Spring, MO, Paul Lee (Sandy) Stone, Sullivan, Michael (Vonnie) Stone, Milanville, PA, and Marsha (Jim) Daniel, Wickenburg, AZ, sister Lola Horn and brother Lloyd Stone, Sullivan, and brother Stephen Stone, Palm Desert, CA, 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thelma, his wife of 69 years, brothers Guy and David and sisters Hilda Pearson and Rose Volkman. Services have been held.