Douglas M. Power Obituary (1950 - 2014)

Douglas M. Power passed into Heaven at 11:16 AM on June 6, 2014. He was 64 years old.His funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, June 12 at St. Josephs Catholic Church in Chenoa with Father Carl LoPresti officiating. . Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Chenoa. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 PM Wednesday, June 11 at Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home in Bloomington and from 10:00-11:00 AM, Thursday June 12 at the churchrnrnIn lieu of flowers, memorials are encouraged to be made to Central Catholic High School.Doug was born March 22, 1950 in Bloomington, the first of 8 children born to James and Catherine (Payne) Power and was raised in Chenoa, IL. After graduating from Chenoa High School, Class of 1968, Doug attended Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, then transferred to St. Josephs College in Rensselaer, IN graduating with a degree in Political Science. Following his undergraduate degree, Doug graduated from the Detroit University School of Law with a Juris Doctor degree. After an early law career, Doug pursued his life ambition as a teacher, professor and life-long scholar. A voracious reader, Doug was a lifelong student of history, theology, law, politics, medicine, music, culinary expertise, photography, art, fly-fishing and a modest expert on more topics than we will ever know.Besides his beloved wife, Jennifer, Doug is survived by son Thomas, his parents James and Catherine Power, Chenoa, siblings Patricia (Marshall) Johnson, Pontiac, IL, Chuck (Lori) Power, Fairbury, Mary (Leo) Nachreiner, Sauk City, WI, John (Marty) Power, Bloomington, Jim (Lori Rous) Power, Madison, WI, Mike Power, Chenoa and dozens of nieces and nephews. Doug was preceded in death by a sister Therese Power Bowen and niece Kelly Nachreiner.A man of many pursuits and expertise, Doug began an early legal career with Livingston, Barger, Brandt, Slater and Schroeder and other private practices. He then answered a special calling as a Seminarian at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Boston, but his passion to become an educator drew him back to Bloomington and Central Catholic High School where he taught History, Theology and coached baseball and golf; loving every moment of the journey. Determined to advance his teaching aspirations, Doug dedicated himself to post-graduate studies at Illinois State University, followed by a tenure as professor of History and Political Science at Vincennes University in Indiana. After several years at VU, Doug applied his entrepreneurial and culinary talents as a restaurateur, opening dining institutions in Chicago and New Buffalo, MI. Moving to the Philadelphia area, Doug met the love of his life, Dr. Jennifer Plumb. Doug and Jen were married on January 12, 2005, making their home in West Chester, PA near Dr. Plumbs practice at Jennersville Regional Hospital. Most recently, Doug and Jennifer relocated to Bloomington and were in the process of lovingly restoring their historic home on East Grove Street in Bloomington.Doug was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle and a most talented individual at all he pursued. He was intelligent, incredibly well-read and enjoyed a passion to learn every day of his life. Most importantly, he treasured his parents and family, and will always be remembered for the care, compassion and daily presence he provided.