Theodore Pavloff

HERRIN - Theodore "Ted" Pavloff, Jr., 88, died Friday, July 19, 2013. He was born October 22, 1924, in Weaver, Illinois, to Theodore and Mary Pavloff. Ted married Vera Faye Wallace in 1946, with whom he had two daughters, Sandra Conner of Herrin and Brenda Calvert of Carterville. Faye died in 1980. In 1981, Ted married Pamela, with whom he raised three children, Marla Tolar of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Joel Weinhold of O'Fallon, Missouri, and Kendra Dovolis of Bethel, Missouri. One month after graduating from Zeigler High School in 1942, Ted enlisted in the Marine Corps. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. When the rest of Marine Fighting Squadron 322 learned that Ted had been licensed as a minister at age 16, they gave him the nickname "Preacher" and asked him to lead them in prayer during their transport to war. Although his squadron's LST received a Kamikaze strike, no Marine in his squadron died from enemy action. When he returned from war, Ted worked as a newspaper reporter in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and as an accountant in Herrin, Marion, and Nashville, Tennessee. For many years, he was the comptroller of Sohn's Quality Stores, a chain of men's clothing stores, and was the office manager of Fabick-Caterpiller, Corp. He also worked as a morning radio host on WJPF. Ted touched lives around the world as a Christian minister and teacher. In the 1970s, Ted helped found Christian Life Center in Herrin. For ten years, he was the pastor of Cambria Community Church. For almost thirty years, he and Pam led "Christ in the Passover" services throughout Southern Illinois. He shared his faith by writing a monthly newspaper column, hosting a weekly radio program, and writing three books. He also taught Bible studies at the Marion Senior Center, home Bible studies, and served as a chaplain at Herrin Hospital, where he died. Ted made the best baklava in southern Illinois, and was a painter, a musician, a woodworker, and a clockmaker. Like Ted himself, what he built stood the test of time, and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren now play with wooden toys and puzzles he made decades ago. Those who knew Ted will be reminded of how he impacted their life every time they hear the word "glory." Ted was unfailingly proud of his children, his eight grandchildren (Wesley and Winston Calvert; Ethan and Emily Tolar; Kyle, Lindsey, and Jason Weinhold; and Dominic Dovolis), and four great-grandchildren (Gideon, Josiah, Jasper, and Lucy Calvert). He is also survived by his wife, his children, one daughter-in-law (Tara Weinhold), two sons-in-law (Adam Tolar and Philip Dovolis), two granddaughters-in-law (Brandy and Amanda Calvert), two sisters (Mary Lee Pavloff and Margarine Sheffer), and one brother (Percy Pavloff). He was preceded in death by one sister (Petka Pavlov), three brothers (John and Walter Sich and Ivan Pavlov), and two sons-in-law (Richard Conner and John "Tex" Calvert). Services will be at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, July 27, at Christian Life Center, 1901 North Park Avenue, in Herrin, with Steve McKeown and Brent Fitzgerald officiating. Burial will be in Denning Cemetery near West Frankfort. The Orient and Zeigler American Legion and the West Frankfort VFW will perform military rights. Visitation will begin at 8:00 A.M. Saturday, July 27, at the church.