Edward A. Brooks

Edward Albert Brooks, 97, born December 5, 1926 in Burlington, IA, raised in Stronghurst, IL, and a resident of Springfield passed away on Monday, December 11, 2023 at Concordia Village Lutheran Senior Services. Ed married Helen E. Sellers of Springfield on November 18, 1956. Helen passed on November 15, only 26 days before Ed’s passing and just shy of 67 years of marriage.

Ed graduated from Stronghurst High School, and after his freshman year at the University of Illinois he enlisted in the Navy. After completing PT Boat training (radio, radar, 20mm cannon), WWII ended curtailing his New Guinea orders. The Navy redirected him to serve on the heavy cruiser USS Helena as a radar operator on a global goodwill mission. He returned to the U of I, played baritone in the Marching Band and earned a Civil Engineering degree. He entered a profession he loved, Highway Engineering with the Illinois Department of Transportation District 6, retiring after 37 years. He held a number of positions in Design, Construction, Planning, Program Development and participated in District 6’s largest construction period in its history. He was proud to be a Professional Engineer and active in the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, Capital Chapter and Illinois Association of Highway Engineers. Coincident with IDOT, Ed was a Naval Reserve Officer, Civil Engineering Corps serving 30 years and retiring as a Lieutenant Commander.

For roughly 70 years, Ed was an active member of the First United Methodist Church (Springfield First) serving in leadership positions and enjoying the Christian social circle of the IBT Sunday School Class members. Ed also enjoyed water exercising and social activities at the YMCA.

Ed was a frequent participant in Fighting Illini marching band alumni reunions, supporting the U of I and attending numerous functions, Engineering open houses, football games and trips to Bowl games. He also had great fun playing baritone with and attending concerts by Windjammers Unlimited, a circus music preservation society.

Ed recently received a 75 year membership award for being a Master Mason. He was an Ansar Shriner and played the baritone in Ansar bands.

For 25 years Ed was a Memorial Hospital Escort. Ed and Helen also volunteered as floor managers for 22 years at the U of I Springfield Sangamon Auditorium for which they received Volunteer of the Year award, as well as First Night and Illinois State Fair volunteers.

Ed loved to travel. It started with his parents in the 1930’s who charged friends a penny a mile to defray travel costs while visiting 43 states in the US and most of Canada. He and Helen traveled extensively making great family memories.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents Russell Wilson Brooks and Dorothea Marie (Kurrle) Brooks. Surviving family members are two children Todd (Jeanette) Brooks of The Woodlands, TX; and Jean (Gary) Herzberg of Waunakee, WI; grandchildren, Tara Brooks of London, UK; Ryan (Kaitlyn) Brooks of Atlanta, GA; Mark Herzberg of Boston, MA; and Lisa Herzberg of Milwaukee, WI.

The Brooks family would like to give a special thanks to the dedicated staff at Concordia Village Lutheran Senior Services for providing a caring and active environment for Ed. Additionally, thank you to the hospice staff of Elara Caring.

Per Ed’s request, the family held a private, graveside service. Memorial contributions may be made to the building fund at First United Methodist Church 2941 S. Koke Mill Road, Springfield, IL 62711. Condolences and memories may be shared with his family at Family of Ed Brooks, C/O Todd Brooks, 22 Witherbee Place, Tomball, TX 77375-4862.