Houston L. Bagwell, 72, of Dundas, IL, formerly of Olney, IL, passed away May 7, 2019 at Saint Vincent Seton Specialty Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana, following heart surgery in November of last year.

Houston retired from Champion Laboratories, Inc. in West Salem and Albion, IL. in 2012.  He graduated from East Richland High School in 1965 and from Southern Illinois University in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Houston was a photographer, painter, pencil and digital artist. He worked at Champion Laboratories for over 30 years where he enjoyed working with his many friends.  He served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam war on the USS Dubuque and served aboard when the ship conducted helicopter minesweeping operations for Operation Endsweep in 1973 the naval mine removal operation in North Vietnamese waters at the end of the war. His greatest passion was genealogy, cataloging many families in Richland and Jasper counties, leading him to request burial with his Revolutionary War ancestors in Parke County, Indiana.

He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Mary and Clessie "Shorty" Bagwell, very beloved brother Troy Bagwell, beloved grandparents, Charles Kirkendoll, Marguerite (Eaton), Abner Bagwell (USA), Mattie (Jenkins), beloved Uncle Ansel Bagwell and cousin Woody Bagwell.

He is survived by his daughter Jennifer Bagwell, former spouse Debbie (Wilkinson), his sister Janice Ma, her husband, Yen-Tien (Columbia, MD), his brother Timothy and his fiancée, Denise (St. Louis), his nephew, Chris Ma and his wife, Terriann, his niece Dr. Loralie Ma and her husband, Randy Ricktor, his great nieces, Nicole Bulte (Columbia, MD) and Camille Bulte of Baltimore, MD. He is also survived by his step-daughter Audrey Lynn and her sons Riley and Brody.

His close surviving cousins are Dianne Amador (Viergge) Joyce "Elaine" Bagwell and Ricky Bagwell.  He also leaves behind 3 very dear friends, Jerry and Leda Geltz and their granddaughter Aliya.

Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home, Olney obituary & photo – Wednesday, May 8, 2019