A Watseka WWII veteran is coming home this weekend. And the plans to greet him are generating a patriotic following from all over central Illinois. Organizers are appreciative for the many organizations and patriotic citizens stepping up to be involved.

Jack Redman's remains are being laid to rest at Watseka's G.A.R. Cemetery Saturday. That's will follow the funeral service and procession from the United Methodist Church at Noon Saturday.

Organizers have asked the public and organizations to line Route 24. And that patriotic greeting will include Friday's escort from O-Hare Airport in Chicago, down I-57 to Iroquois County.

Knapp Funeral Home Director Steve Knapp says the response has been overwhelming and all efforts are being made to accommodate everyone.

The U.S. Marines will lead a motorcade down I-57. Iroquois County sheriff's police will escort the hearse from the county line at Chebanse. The motorcade, which will include a representative from Governor Bruce Rauner's office, will move south on I-57 to Gilman. It continues across Route 24 where citizens are asked to hold flags and line the highway.

Gilman, Danforth and Onarga American Legion members will participate. They invite citizens to line Route 24 at Gilman, beginning about 2 pm.

Citizens lining the funeral procession route are asked to remain orderly and pay attention to police and fire personnel assisting with traffic control.

Jack Redman died in 1943 at the age of 20 while serving as a Marine. His remains were recently identified and will be returned Friday. The Marines plan a brief ceremony on the tarmac at O'Hare before the trip home to Watseka. A Marine color guard will stand watch over the casket until the funeral Saturday.

94.1 WGFA