Ewing “Lee” Andrews peacefully passed into eternal life on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at the age of 90 at his residence in Winter Haven, FL with his four children by his side. Lee was born April 8, 1933 at his grandmother’s home in Granite City, IL to the late Thomas Cullen and Eula Mae (Goodin) Andrews.
After graduating from Granite City High School in 1951, Lee attended the University of Illinois for one year before joining the US Navy in September 1952. He served as an aircraft electrician and was deployed to Hawaii and Japan during his service. In September 1956, Lee transferred to the US Navy Reserve, where he continued seeing the world on aircraft carriers two weeks a year until 1975. During his US Navy Reserve years, Lee started his career as an electrician at Granite City Steel from which he retired after decades of service.
Lee’s avid love of school and learning eventually took him to flight school in the 1970’s at Belleville Area College where he earned his pilot’s license. He also became a ground school flight instructor. In 1981, Lee decided to join the US Army Reserve where he primarily performed instructor duties. He eventually retired as a Master Sergeant E8. Lee’s other passions included chatting on his ham radio, playing CDs of beautiful and melodic music of various genres, enjoying the abundant Florida sunshine from the view of his pool and lake beyond, and most importantly loving the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Lee married E. Ruth Silek in Granite City, IL on March 1, 1958, even though they got off to a rocky start when Lee noticed the beautiful new girl in town and followed her in his car as she tried to get away from his advances. Lee and Ruth resided in Granite City until July 2004 when they relocated to Winter Haven, Florida and built their dream home. They were married for 50 years until she preceded him in death in October 2008.
In addition to his parents, Lee was preceded in death by his younger sister Bette (Andrews) Dumont and younger brother James (Jimmy) Andrews. He is survived by his children Crystal (Jerry) Davis of Allen, TX, Elana (the late Geremia) Oliano of Lexington, IL, Kirk (Lynn) Andrews of Lexington, IL, and Amy (Doug) Coon of Leroy, IL. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren (Andrew and Nicholas Davis and Gabrielle (Davis) Lyons; Ashley (Oliano) Samad and Adelaide and Christopher Oliano; Maria (Andrews) Harsh and Spencer Andrews; Samuel Coon and Sara (Coon) Rodier) and 13 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will begin at 10:00am on Friday, January 26, 2024 at Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington, IL followed by funeral services at 11:00am. Burial will follow at 2:00pm at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL, where military rites will be accorded.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Good Shepard Hospice – Lakeland, FL (chaptershealth.org/foundation/good-shepherd-hospice-donation) with respect to their support during this difficult time, or the Gary Sinise Foundation (garysinisefoundation.org) with respect to Lee’s military service.
Online condolences and memories of Lee may be left for his family at kiblerbradyruestman.com.
