Samuel Paige

Master Sergeant, Samuel Paige, 87, of Rantoul, IL, died December 11, 2023 in Covington, IN.  Samuel was born April 5, 1936, the son of Willie and Cora (Berry) Paige in Augusta, AR.  MSgt Paige married his wife, Dawn, in 1963 and was delighted in her presence until she passed in 2014 having enjoyed 51 years of marriage.
He was a talented Archer and black-belt in Aikido martial arts who also was fluent in three languages. He will be remembered as a collector of all things that sacrificed time with his family to be a good provider.  He spent 26 years in the US Air Force and after retirement, went on to work for the Champaign County Department of Corrections for 24 years achieving the rank of Sergeant before retiring the second time.  He was very mechanical and passionate about being a life-long student and mentor to many.  His family remember him as a wonderful father and grandfather and quite the jokester.
He was predeceased by his wife, Dawn, brothers and sister. He is survived by children, Cora (Rick Nieves) Paige, Dawn (Darrow) Nelson, Marcus (Linda Dillman) Paige and Mary Paige, grandchildren, Marquis Dampeer, Payten (Maria) Dampeer, Michael (Regan) Nieves, Kierra Nieves, Marquetta Grey, Latisha Dorsey, Shikera Dorsey, Azeri Adorno, Sebastien Paige, Anthony Paige and London Paige and countless great-grandchildren.

Graveside service will be held at 11am, Monday, December 18, 2023 at Danville, IL National Cemetery with full military ond County Corrections Honors.  Arrangements entrusted to Shelby & Keller Funeral Home, 622 Third St., Covington, IN  47932  (765) 793-2221  www.shelbykellerfh.com