Judge Henry Lewis 1926-2019
Judge Henry Lewis, of Carmi, Illinois, was born on May 26, 1926 in Carmi and died peacefully, surrounded by family and loved ones, on Thursday, November 28, 2019. Judge Lewis was the son of Rev. Henry Lewis and Helen Myrtle Pedersen, and the stepson of Julius P. Botsch. He is survived by his wife of 68 years,Pat C. Lewis of Carmi, four children, Jeff (Paula) Lewis of Indianapolis, Indiana, Kathy (Rick) Williams, of Louisville, Kentucky, Dan (Jennifer) Lewis of Merrillville, Indiana, and Sarah Johnston, of Carmi. Papa Henry was the beloved grandfather of nine grandchildren, David (Mitra) Lewis, Kristin Lewis, Daniel (Jen) Williams, Taylor (Blair) Hartman, Ben (Courtney) Williams, Claire (Ben) Bellamy, Duncan Lewis, Margaret (Jason) Maxwell and Henry (Emily)Johnston, and great grandfather of Hank Hartman, Owen Lewis, Ruthie Hartman, Augie Johnston, Eleanor Bellamy, Miles Johnston, Wesley Geary, Jocie Geary, plus, two more in utero arriving soon! He is also survived by his sister, Enid Thuermer, was predeceased by his parents, his stepfather, and his brother Robert Lewis.
Judge Lewis served in the Army Air Force during World War 2, and graduated from DePauw University in 1950, and the University of Illinois College of Law in 1952. He began the private practice of law in Carmi with the firm of Kern and Pearce after graduation from law school.
He was elected State’s Attorney of White County, Illinois and served from 1956 through 1966. He had a long and distinguished judicial career, serving first as Resident Circuit Judge for White County and then as Circuit Judge for the state of Illinois from 1966 through 1987, including serving five terms as Chief Judge of the 2nd Judicial Circuit and also as a member of the Executive Committee of the Illinois Supreme Court from 1980 through 1984.
In 1987, Judge Lewis was elevated to the Illinois Appellate Court for the 5th Judicial Circuit, holding various positions over his tenure including Justice of the Industrial Commission Division of the Appellate Court and Chairman of the Appellate Court in 1990. He retired initially from the Appellate Court in 1992, and returned to serve again by special appointment after retirement.
Judge Lewis was an elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Carmi and an active participant in the life of that church for his entire life. He was an active and award winning supporter of the Buffalo Trace Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He was a past President and active member of the White County Historical Society and an active Rotarian for many years.
Judge Lewis was blessed with many dear friends, who collectively spent many joyful hours golfing at the Carmi Country Club and other golf venues, in competitive ping pong battles in his basement and over coffee at the Carmi Motel coffee shop. He will be remembered for his good nature, his quick wit, his unflagging service to church and community and his deep devotion to family and friends.