| ALFRED L. PEZMAN |
| Judge Alfred L. Pezman, 84, of 817 South 24th, died at 5:25 p.m. Wednesday (November 20, 2002) in the emergency room of Blessing Hospital. Born January 23, 1918 in Quincy, Judge Pezman was the son of Sol and Sarah E. Josephson Pezman. He married Cleora Ludwig on February 25, 1948 in Quincy. She survives. Judge Pezman was a 1936 graduate of Quincy High School. He attended Quincy College and graduated from the University of Illinois Law School in 1945. He began his law career in Chillicothe, Illinois. He later opened a law practice in Mt. Sterling for 12 years and served as the Brown County State's Attorney. In 1957 he became associated with the law firm of Penick-Wooleyhan & Nielson in Quincy. He was appointed to the Illinois Court of Claims in 1963 by Governor Otto Kerner and was appointed an Associate Judge of the Eighth Circuit in 1971. Judge Pezman was appointed as an Eighth Judicial Circuit Judge in Calhoun County in 1973 and was retained in office until his retirement on August 1, 1995. Professionally Judge Pezman was recognized by the Illinois State Bar Association as a Senior Counselor for 50 years in the practice of law. In 1996 he was the recipient of the Adams County Bar Association's Liberty Bell award, which is given to a person whose community service promotes a better understanding and greater respect for law and the court system. He also served as past president of the Southwest Bar Association of Illinois. Judge Pezman was also active in community affairs wherever he lived. He was instrumental in the formation of the Adams County Mental Health Program. He had been involved with the Boy Scouts since 1929 when he became a member of Troop 8 in Quincy. He held virtually every volunteer position in Scouting, serving on the board of the Piasa Council of Southern Illinois for 12 years and was also the Saukee Council President of Adams County. He was honored for his work with the Silver Beaver Award, the Distinguished Scouter Award and the 70 years National Veteran Award. He also served on the Governor's Eagle Scout program for over 20 years and was on the advisory board of the Mississippi Valley Council of Boy Scouts. Judge Pezman was a member of Hardin Masonic Lodge No. 44 of Mt. Sterling, IL., Quincy Consistory, and was an active member of the Quincy High Twelve Club. He was the past chairman of the United Way of Adams County, past chairman of Easter Seals, past president of the Mt. Sterling Optimist Club and served on the Brown County Fair Board. He was also the Democratic Chairman of Brown County for 8 years and also served as the Democratic Chairman for Adams County. Judge Pezman was respected by his peers whose comments include, "An old fashioned gentleman", "Kind and compassionate", "A hard act to follow", "Dedicated to the best interests and welfare of his fellow man" and "Humane concern for children, victims and everyone involved". Surviving is his wife, Cleora; two daughters, Barbara Brewster of McKinney, TX. and Sherry Leonard of Quincy; six grandchildren, Christine Smith and her husband Jeffrey of Lincoln, IL., Casey Brewster and his wife Jaye of Paoli, Indiana, Dawn Keith and her husband Brian of Normal, IL., Charles Brewster Jr. and his wife Lisa of Bloomington, IL., Elizabeth Malcom and her husband Paul of McKinney, TX. and Adrienne Lancaster and her husband Christopher of Lakewood, CA.; 15 great grandchildren; a brother, Theodore L. Pezman and his wife Marita of San Clemente, CA.; and two nephews, Stephen Pezman and his wife Debbi and Thomas Pezman and his wife April all of San Clemente, CA. Judge Pezman was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be Monday evening from 4:00 until 8:00 and Tuesday until the time of services at the funeral home. Hardin Lodge No. 44 will conduct Masonic services Monday evening at 8:00 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Transitions of Western Illinois or the Boy Scouts
of America. |