Eric William Albin passed away at 1:23 p.m. on Monday, May 29, 2006 at the Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, IL.

Memorial Services will be held at 10 AM, Thursday, June 1, 2006 at the Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, 705 South Main Street, Tuscola, IL with the Rev. Scott Zorn officiating.

Eric was born on July 1, 1975. He was the son of Dale and Kathy Albin. He was baptized in the United Methodist Church, Tuscola. Eric attended the Tuscola schools where he graduated in 1993. He attended ITT in Indianapolis and graduated in 1995.

He received his kidney transplant at IU Medical Center in Indianapolis on July 6, 1997. The successful transplant enabled him to work and enjoy life. In the spring of 2004 his kidney failed and he was back on dialysis. During this time he worked as a machinist, at a wood working shop in the Arthur area and for Plastipak in Champaign. May 2005 to May 2006 brought numerous hospital stays for an infection that finally resulted in his death on the afternoon of May 29, 2006.

Eric loved his sister, Monica and her family. Blake Eric Cruzan arrived on June 25, 2004 and instantly took center stage in Eric's life. He volunteered his services to care for Blake...at just 6 weeks of age while Mom returned to work that first week. That must have been when the 29 year old and newborn bonded. They shared a great love for each other.

Eric also loved nature...the growing trees, plants blooming, the birds feeding, corn and soybeans growing, camping in Door County, snow skiing and boating. He drove the tractor and worked the soil. And, oh how he loved music and concerts and sunrises and sunsets. As his health was slowly failing he checked his newly planted trees using his golf cart. The golf cart also helped in exercising his two miniature dachshunds Morgan and Kody...who were his constant companions. They made several visits to the hospital waiting outdoors for Eric to come down and give them some "lovin".

Eric worked on his cars and trucks and talked Dad into a car lift and more concrete for the shop. His 1988 Tans Am is still waiting for "OverHaulin" to do its magic. Sports also filled much of his time. April 2005 found him cheering on the Illini with a fellow fan in St. Louis as they played in the "final four" and back to St. Louis in the summer of '05 to see the Cardinals play one of their last games in the old stadium. But lately, the TV provided him with sports entertainment.

Eric's faith in God and the support of his parents enabled him to "take one day at a time". Let us all remember Eric William Albin with love and joy. He was with us almost 31 years...he was only on loan from God. And we thank you God!!

Survivors include his parents, Dale and Kathy Albin, sister, Monica Cruzan, brother-in-law, Kevin Cruzan, nephew, Blake Eric Cruzan, grandpa, John Alexander, aunts, uncles, cousins, great-aunts and great-uncles and may caring friends. His grandparents, Betty Alexander and Orrin and Mary Albin preceded him in death.

We ask that memorials be made to the Southern County Kidney Fund, Attn: Ray F. Maxfield, Treasurer, 4940 Koa Road, Rochester, Illinois 62563

Condolences may be sent to the family at hilligossshraderfh.com