Frederick H. Lewis, Jr., 80, of Marissa, IL, born July 11th, 1941 in Centralia, IL, passed away on Monday, July 4th, 2022 at his residence. As a boy Fred was fascinated by steam engine trains. Mr. Lewis held a Master’s Degree in Mathematics from SIU-Carbondale and a Master’s Degree in Chemistry from the University of Arizona. He was a teacher for 54 years in public schools. 10 years at Trico High School and 42 years at Marissa High School. He also spent 25 years as an adjunct chemistry instructor at Southwestern Illinois College. While at Marissa High School, he was involved with several space projects for NASA, as a Christa McAuliffe fellow and incorporated that enthusiasm into the classroom through projects and activities.
Throughout his life and well into his retirement, he enjoyed working with antique cars. He was a member of the Antique Automobile Club of America, the librarian/historian of the Pontiac Oakland Club International, and the editor of the award-winning Vintage Voice Newsletter for the Oakland-Pontiac Worldwide Region. He also belonged to several other local area car clubs. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and enjoyed traveling around the world.
Mr. Lewis was preceded in death by his parents – Frederick H. and Ellen P. (Jenson) Lewis, Sr.; his grandparents George and Harriett (Howe) Lewis and Charles and Nina (Davis) Jenson.
Fred leaves behind his loving wife of over 55 years- the former Marilyn Knop, three children – daughter Rebecca (Louis) Sloan and grandsons – Luke, Seth, Daniel and Jesse Sloan. Son C. Matthew (Kara Greene) Lewis and grandson Chase Lewis. Son Michael D. (Carla Oliveira) Lewis and granddaughter Penelope Lewis. One brother, George Charles (Judy Holmes) Lewis, an aunt – Mary Ann Plakovic, sisters-in-law – Sharon (Bill) Kulhman, Patty Oliphant, Susan Malone and Debra Richmond and many other friends and family including nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Maple Creek Hospice of Sparta, IL, American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in St. Louis, MO, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Visitation: Friends and family will gather to celebrate Fred’s life from 9 to 11 am on Saturday, July 9th, 2022 at Frieden’s United Church of Christ in Marissa, IL.
Funeral: Services will be held at 11 am on Saturday, July 9th, 2022 at Frieden’s United Church of Christ in Marissa, IL with Rev. Brett Palmer officiating.
Private interment will follow the services at Hillcrest Cemetery in Centralia, IL
Heil-Schuessler Funeral Home in Marissa, IL is in charge of the arrangements.
Mr. Lewis, thank you for the fun times in class. WYSE and Science Club were always fun and challenging. I’ll forever cherish the Nigel autograph photo you gave me. Thank you for having my back when I confronted the schoolboard in allowing me to take advanced courses even though my GPA didn’t reflect my potential.
May the cars and steam engines be plentiful. Physics before Calculus!
Very sorry for your loss. Our love and prayers are with you and your family.
Very sorry for your loss. I love and prayers are with you and your family.
My sympathy to all of you. Fred taught at Marissa when I was superintendent back in the 1990’s. He was always working on a project for his students. He will be missed. Sincerely Steve Launius Nashville, Illinois
So sorry to hear this! You have my deepest sympathy. I loved Mr. Lewis in school. He was a great teacher and loved his humor. My favorite memory of him was our geometry class, Mary Ann (Epplin) Winkler, Cindy (Strube) Neff, and myself. That was the whole class! The day he walked in with two different color of shoes! We laughed so hard, he said he dressed in the dark,, lol
Mr. Lewis taught me in High School as well as being my College Chemistry teacher , also teaching my children. As many have already said he had a way to bring out the best to help make you succeed. My Deepest Sympathy to his whole family. Marilyn so sorry for your loss. Prayers for your family.
Mr. Lewis taught me trig at Trico. He was a very good, kind, and compassionate teacher. Prayers to all who loved Mr. Lewis🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
He was my chem teacher at Trico. He was such a good teacher and man. My sympathies to your family.
I had Mr Lewis as a teacher at at Trico I graduated in 1970 he was a very understanding teacher and he took a lot of kidding from all of his students. We all loved him. So sorry for your loss he was a great man.
We at The Space Museum are very sad to hear of Fred’s passing. Fred was a quality individual who we learned to love and appreciate. His volunteer efforts at the museum will long be remembered as a pattern of service to us all. God’s speed Fred!
I never had Mr. Lewis as my teacher, at Trico, but do remember him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Marilyn and family,
So sorry to learn of Fred’s death. May your memories sustain you during this difficult time. My very deepest sympathy.
Betty Gibbons
We are so sorry for your loss.
Hugs and prayers to you and your family.
Marilyn and family – I am so very sorry to hear of Fred’s passing. So many, many memories. Lots of fun camping, etc.
Mr. Lewis was one of my favorite teachers at Trico High School. He was very caring and so intelligent. He taught me a lot in advanced science and math classes. My sympathy goes out to his family.
My heart breaks. Though it’s been many years since seeing your family, I loved babysitting for you and listening to my Dad and Fred talk about old cars when we visited. He was one of the good ones . . . You have my deepest sympathy Marilyn and kids/grandkids. Although I will not be able to make it Saturday, know you all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Fred was one of my favorite high school teachers. His passion for teaching showed in each of his classes. Fred helped get me into my career path early on by going the extra mile in a Physics class. I am sorry to see this and offer my condolences to the family. Fred impacted so many lives though his passion of teaching. Rest In Peace Fred!
My sincerest condolences to the entire Lewis family, especially Marilyn, Becky, Matt, Michael and families I have fond memories of Mr. Lewis. He has such a wonderful way of making math interesting and FUN.
Mr. Lewis was my college chemistry teacher that had so much more faith in me than I did. I would not have made it through without all his help and patience, so respected. I had the pleasure of seeing him later in life while working for Regions in Marissa and he remembered me after so many years. My thoughts and prayers are with his family through this difficult time. Such a sad day.
Prayers to the family. Mr. Lewis was a great and tolerant math teacher. As a student I enjoyed his sense of humor. May he rest in peace.
Mr. Louis thank you for being such a kind caring loving and inspiring teacher. It was you who inspired me to try to do better in school. I will miss your enthusiasm. Condolences to Marilyn Rebecca Matthew and Michael.
Sending prayers of love & comfort for the whole family. Mr. Lewis was a great teacher that was always willing to help you until you “got it!” He will be remembered as a computer genius!
Fred was one of the best men, high scholol teacher but most of all as a brother in law. He had the greatest gift of keeping the family in stitches with his humor. My thoughts & prayers go out to my sister, Marilyn , niece, Becky, nephews Matthew & Michael. Fred will be missed. Love, love.
Marilyn, Becky, Matt, Michael and families, please accept our sincere condolences. Fred was loved and respected by everyone who met him. He was truly a man of gentle spirit and human kindness. May God grant you all His peace and hope at this time of grief.
Sincerely, Monte, Sherri, Matt, and Brooke
My deepest sympathies to Marilyn and family. I have fond memories of Mr. Lewis as my teacher. Our trip to FL to watch the space shuttle launch our seeds is one of my favorite high school memories. I also have fond memories of seeing him work on his cars while Marilyn babysat me as a little girl. Keeping you all in my prayers that you are able to find peace in the coming days.
I am so sorry to hear this. Mr.Lewis was always one of my favorite teachers when I was in school at Marissa. He would even let us come to his house after school for extra help. He will be greatly missed.
I am so sorry to hear about this. He was another teacher of mine in HS who had to put up with me. A very nice man. May he through God’s mercy, Rest In Peace. God bless his family.
My heart is aching for Marilyn and their children & grand children. Fred is another great Marissa citizen that touched the lives of countless people. He always wore a smile and would listen Intently giving gentle caring advise. He made things possible for Marissa students on a level beyond our comprehension and expectations. Fred and Marilyn opened their home to hundreds of children with unconditional love . I and My children will forever have wonderful memories to cherish ❤️.