Gov Bruce Rauner to renamed about 35 miles of a rural road in west-central Illinois the Powell Brothers Memorial Highway, an honor for seven brothers from a nearby farm who served in World War II.

PHOTO: George Powell and his wife, Addie, with their 13 children in 1941. Front row from left are Max, Ruth, Addie, George R., Sophia and Adrian. Second row from left are: Earl, Fred, George W. and Everett. Back row from left are Arthur, Charlie, Floyd, John and Cloyd 

The State of Illinois under Gov. Bruce Rauner on Friday renamed about 35 miles of a rural road in west-central Illinois the Powell Brothers Memorial Highway, an honor for seven brothers from a nearby farm who served in World War II.


The idea for the designation sprouted when state Sen. Sam McCann, R-Carlinville, proposed it in May 2014. Relatives hoped the lone surviving brother, George Powell, 99, would be able to attend the dedication ceremony, but he died July 8 in Traverse City, Mich.

CLICK FOR MORE