Louis Enlow

WASHINGTON, Ill. -- Louis Joseph "L.J." Enlow, 71, of Washington died Monday, Dec. 7, 2009, at Proctor Hospital in Peoria, Ill.

He was born Feb. 21, 1938, in Hamilton, Ala., to Kenneth W. and Gracie Godsey Enlow. He and Marilyn Palmer were married Sept. 6, 1958, in Cape Girardeau.

Survivors include his wife; five children, Jamie (Denise) Enlow and Angela (David) Kelly of Washington, John (Laura) Enlow of Morton, Ill., Deborah (Mark) Lohenitz of Yorktown, Va., Terra (Rev. Ken) Edgell of Washington; a brother-in-law, David Palmer of Metamora, Ill., who at the age of 15 became a part of the Enlow family; a brother, Kirby (Patty) Enlow of Plainfield, Ind.; two sisters, Eulora (Harlon) Parnell of Chaffee, Mo., Loretta Kitchen of Cape Girardeau; 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Edsil and Calvin Cheatham.

L.J. was a debit builder with Reliable Life Insurance Co. He later worked at Caterpillar Tractor Co. 20 years, where he worked in several positions, including parts packaging and being a hydraulic hose maker, retiring in 2004. Louie was also a beloved bus driver to the students of St. Patrick School in Washington and Washington Community High School more than 12 years, last driving Nov. 10, 2009.

L.J. was a member of Highview Church of God in Washington, where he was active in church mission projects, taught Sunday school, drove the church bus and was an involved singer. He also was a lifetime member of the Major League Baseball Association. He greatly enjoyed fishing, was an avid Cardinals fan, and a dedicated family man who always opened his home to others in need.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday at Highview Church of God.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Richard Fitzwater officiating. Burial will be in Glendale Cemetery in Washington, with the Rev. Joseph P. Donton conducting committal prayers.

Memorials may be made to Highview Church of God Building Fund or to St. Patrick School Athletic Department.

L.J.'s memorial website is available at www.deitersfuneralhome.com, where condolences may be sent to the family.