Lee Holt (94) of Newton

Lee Holt, age 94, of Newton, Illinois, passed away at 11:22 PM – Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at HSHS Saint John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois.

Funeral services celebrating Lee’s life will be held at 3:00 PM – Monday, October 14, 2024, at the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois, with Rev Amy Jeffries officiating. The burial will be in the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Newton, Illinois. Visitation will be from 2:00 to 3:00 PM, before the service. In loving memory of Lee, memorials may be made to the Honey Do Ministries. The obituary can be viewed, and condolences left by clicking here. 

Ronald Lee, better known as Lee, was born on March 18, 1930, in Crawford County, Illinois, the son of Jesse Byron and Hazel Eugenia (Newlin) Holt. He graduated from Newton Community High School with the Class of 1949. Lee married Shirley Nadine Sparks on December 7, 1950, in Piggott, Arkansas, and she preceded him in death on September 22, 1987. Lee was the second-generation owner of Jesse B. Holt, Inc in Newton, Illinois, until his retirement. He also owned Newton Ready Mix for several years. Lee left a legacy with the buildings and homes that he built throughout the area. Lee enjoyed woodworking and made countless items that will be treasured for generations. He traveled many miles looking for antiques and treasures for his collections.

Lee is survived by: Daughters – Deborah (husband Dion) Urfer of Newton, Illinois and Jacqueline (husband James) Mollet of Highland, Illinois; Son-in-law – Terry Collins of Newton, Illinois; Grandchildren – Christopher (wife Audra) Collins and Jill Suzanne Collins (husband Adam) Schoonover both of Newton, Illinois; Great Grandchildren – Claire Collins, Haylee (husband Nick) Cohorst, Wynter Schoonover, Greyson Schoonover, and Wrynn Schoonover; Sister-in-law – Shirley Ann Holt.

Lee was preceded in death by his parents, wife, daughter Rebecca Ann Collins, and his brother Lyle Keith Holt.