Lorrene Eldean (Lively) Cornish, January 24, 1921-January 11, 2017. Born to Charlie and Nettie Lively, the last of eight children, in Sylvan Grove, Kansas. If asked why she was born in Kansas, she’d reply “That’s where my mother was!” The family moved back to Murphysboro, IL at age 1. She attended Thronton School in Harvey, IL, moved to her sister’s farm with her mother to attend Lawton Schools for her 9th and 10th years. When her uncle became widowed and needed assistance, she and her mother moved to Nebraska for a year, where she met her lifelong best friend, Maxine Christensen. She returned to Lawton for her senior year, graduating in 1939. She and her mother moved to Harvey where she worked at Whiting Corporation for a short time. She married Keith Cornish on January 9, 1941 in Harvey, when Keith was on weekend leave from the Navy, guests from Lawton battled ice and snow to make the wedding.
Prior to marriage, Lorrene worked as a Stenographer, a caretaker for an elderly lady and a waitress (in 90’s dress) in Harvey. Back in Lawton, she worked for a chiropractor in Three Rivers and stayed the week in a house “dorm” with the other nurses. She gave the best backrubs and hardworking farmers in the area sought her out. Lorrene had lots of craft hobbies: beadwork-necklaces, Christmas ornaments; the waxed stars are lost but maybe they're on Pinterest. She crocheted, learning from Keith who had learned it from his mother, with simple pillow case edging at first, then graduating to expertly crafted shawls, hats, afghans, full size bed spreads; and learning hairpin lace and crocheted beaded necklaces of various kinds.
Lorrene is survived by her daughter, Eldean “Gwen” (Tim) Hultquist, daughter in law, Margaret (late David) Cornish, five grandchildren, Jon Cornish, Elizabeth (Lynnsy) Maxwell, Michael (Retired U.S. Army) (Stephanie) Cornish, Susan (Bobby Kusmak) Cornish and Thomas (Robyn) Cornish, great grandchildren, Dane, Megan, Kamryn and Jyllian Maxwell, Bridgett and Sean Cornish, Mason Cornish, Robert and Christopher Branch, Rebecca and Angie Serrano, Casey Cornish, Cori Crawford, Jordan and Nevaeh McKenna and Tim Hultquist, Jr. Lorrene was preceded in death by her husband, Keith Cornish, her son, David Cornish, granddaughter, Linda Serrano, three brothers and four sisters.
Lorrene was loving and loyal to her family and friends. She had a long, interesting life and will be greatly missed. Family and friends are invited to visit on Saturday, January 14, 2017 beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the Adams Funeral Home, 502 W., Michigan Ave, Paw Paw, where a funeral service will commence at 3:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, Lawton. Memorial contributions may be directed to the David Cornish Scholarship Fund, c/o Lawton Lions Club. Share a memory, photo or sign the online guestbook at: www.adamspawpaw.com