Harry Lewis Goempler, 88, of Monticello, formerly of Rantoul, passed away the evening of April 24, 2008, at the Piatt County Nursing Home in Monticello.

Services for Mr. Goempler will be held Tuesday, April 29, 2008, at the Rantoul Presbyterian Church at 2:00pm, with visitation from 1:00 to 2:00pm preceding the funeral.  The Rev. George Johnston will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Monticello Cemetery.

Mr. Goempler was born May 27, 1919 and grew up in Oquawka, Illinois.

He joined the Navy in 1941 and was stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii.  While in the service, he met Dale Maempfer of Chicago and they were married in 1947.

Mr. Goempler had a lifelong love of aviation, and spent this career working on and around planes as a pilot or mechanic.  He also loved gardening and enjoyed hunting.

Harry Lewis Goempler was preceded indeath by his wife Dale, and is survived by a daughter, Julie Dhom of Mattoon, and two grandsons, James Hoppe and John Michael White.