Eldridge 'Lee' L. Potts

Eldridge “Lee” L. Potts, 88, of Ashkum, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2026, at the Veterans’ Home in Manteno. Born on July 26, 1937, in Rantoul, he was the son of Cecil and Edna (Luttrell) Potts. On October 13, 1962, Lee married Mardean Peters at Zion Lutheran Church in Ashkum. She preceded him in death on June 2, 2015.

Lee was a proud U.S. Navy veteran who served during the Korean Conflict. Over the years he worked at the family sawmill, as manager and mechanic at Beasley’s Gas Station in Paxton, and at numerous other local employers including the Paxton Broom Shop, Ropers, Occidental Chemical, Ford Widholm Lumber, Grays Material, Central Community Unit #4, and the Village of Ashkum Police Department. He was a member of the ICLEA. Above all, Lee was a devoted husband and caregiver to Mardean. He found great joy in fishing, hunting, restoring old cars, and spending quiet afternoons sitting under the shade tree or on his porch watching the world go by. He was also an accomplished musician, playing with Avert Luttrell and The Country Strings.

He is survived by his daughter, Kim (Bruce) Yates; his son, Tim (Tina) Potts; five grandchildren, Taylor Yates (Anthony Chapones), Tiffany (Jeff) Haan, Tara (Ryan) Cailteux, Tony (Megan) Potts, and Trey Potts (Max Somerville); nine great-grandchildren; his siblings, Elvis Potts of Gilman, Doug Potts of Arkansas, and Dollie Woodall of Arkansas; his sister-in-law, Garnett Potts of Kentucky; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, Lee was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Jim Potts; two sisters-in-law, Nancy Potts and Beverly Potts; and his brother-in-law, Frank Woodall.