Alton Duaine Hughes

Alton Duaine Hughes, 90 of Putnam, IL formerly of Tiskilwa, passed away on Sunday, March 10, 2024 at Liberty Village in Princeton surrounded by his family.

Al was born on March 21, 1933 in Tiskilwa the son of Alton M. and Patricia A. (Finnegan) Hughes. His father passed away when he was four years old. His mother later married his Uncle Bill Hughes, who helped raise him and his younger siblings.

Al was a 1951 graduate of Tiskilwa High School and later was drafted into the Army, serving during the Korean War conflict. After the war, he started driving truck and continued to drive commercially until he retired from Fort Transfer in Morton, IL after 33 years.

Al met the love of his life, Emelie C. Olszanowski at a barn dance. They were married on November 28, 1959 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Henry, IL and to this union four children were born; Brian, Barry, Michelle and Gina.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Emelie Hughes of Putnam; four children, Brian (Sherry) Hughes of Putnam, Barry (Dr. Sherry) Hughes of Bradford, Michelle (Dr. Alan) Yepsen of Granville and Gina (Jim) Fox of McNabb; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Andrea (Daniel Blaskey) Hughes of Henry, Schuyler Hughes of Normal, Kelsie (Luke) Ioerger and daughter Courtney of East Peoria, Kyle (Kabrina) Hughes and daughter Khloe and son due in August of New Mexico, Dr. Bryton (Dr. Amanda) Yepsen of Kenosha, WI, Shelby (Kane) Klais and son Tatum of Davenport, IA, Ciara (Max) Boggio and daughter, Eleanora of Bloomington.

Also surviving him: sister, Pat (Quentin) Broeren of AZ, niece and nephew, Gwenda and Mark Broeren. In laws: Mary Ann (James) Asaph, Janet Balensiefen, Ed (Linda) Olszanowski, Darlene Olszanowski and Lanette Olszanowski, Carolyn (Dan) Ramsey, Sandie Shank, George Murphy and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather, sister, Duonna Morse and brother Max; ln laws, Jerry Balensiefen, Tom and Gerald Olszanowski, Bob Shank and Sharon Murphy.

Al was a longtime member of Teamsters Local 627. He and Emmy enjoyed attending the monthly luncheons at the Teamster Retirement Club. Al was also a member of the American Legion Post 323 in Henry, IL. On September 10, 2019 he had the opportunity to travel to Washington, DC on the Greater Peoria Honor Flight with his son Brian and grandson Schuyler. A day that they all felt very honored and proud of.

Over the years Al enjoyed mushroom hunting, fishing, everything involving history, reading the Fur-Fish-Game magazine and spending countless hours at his grandchildren’s sporting events.

Visitation will be from 9:00am until time of service at 11:00am on Friday, March 15, 2024 at Grant-Johnson Funeral Home, 30 West Mechanic Street, Princeton, IL 61356 with Deacon John Murphy, officiating. Burial will follow at St. Francis Cemetery at Lake Thunderbird with military honors.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Tiskilwa Ambulance Service 135 High Street Tiskilwa, IL 61368 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Online condolences may be left at grantjohnson-fh.com.