Sep 7, 2023

Louis was preceded in death by his parents, Mary (Mae) and Louis Illar, JR.

He is survived by his sister, Lois Illar; his nieces, Melissa (Bill) Scheiwer, Vera (Mark) D’Alessandro and Heidi (Garrett) Loeffert; great-nephew, Zack Scheiwer; great-nieces, Chelsey Scheiwer, Giona D’Alessandro and Rayna D’Alessandro; and many caring cousins.

He is also survived by students and close friends, in Baton Rouge, La., where he lived since 1974, whom he thought of as his second family: Amanda Vixathep, Simon Vixathep, Grant Kwan, David Dalia, Ron Schulingkamp and Brandon Thomas.

Louis’ young life was deeply rooted in Pennsylvania and the tri-state area. Born and raised in Washington county, his family home was in Richeyville. In elementary school, teachers labeled him a dreamer, as he would often daydream during class, also noting his vivid imagination. He loved stories, telling them and listening to them. Some of that interest coming from the fact he and his family spent a lot of time at the Roxy Theater in Richeyville, owned by his grandparents.

Lou received a Bachelor of Science in Education, from California State College of Pennsylvania, Master of Arts in Rhetoric, from West Virginia University, Doctoral Communication studies, at Ohio University, and Master of Arts in Labor History, from Southeastern Louisiana University.

His career started at Slippery Rock State College as assistant professor, speech department, then was assistant professor at Chesapeake College, Easton, Maryland; Southern Louisiana U., Baton Rouge; Southeastern U., Hamond, La. Later in Baton Rouge, he researched and wrote the only history on the immigration of the Chinese into Louisianna, which is found in every state Library in Louisiana. He was listed as a noteworthy Professor of Communications and History, by Marquis Who’s Who.

Lou’s Love of history, communications, the martial arts and entertaining led him to leave academia to continue his writing and teaching in his Kung Fu studios. Lou became an advocate for the disabled, it was one of the foundations of his White Crane Kung Fu studios. There he taught the principle that Kung Fu offers an open hand to individuals with disabilities. In 1990 he was asked to lobby for the American Disability Act on Capitol Hill were he ardently visited with Congressmen and Senators. In 2004 Lou was honored with an invitation from the US Department of Health and Human services to serve on their committee and assist in the development of a National Initiative on Physical Fitness for Children and youth with disabilities. His accomplishments are many, listing only some here.

Lou wrote numerous articles for magazines, newspapers and was a regular contributor to “Inside Kung Fu” magazine. There he was twice inducted into their “Hall of Fame”. He adds the writing of the book “Believe Me or Your Lying Eyes” to his many accomplishments.

Lou’s, White Crane Kung Fu studios, in Baton Rouge and in New Orleans, had as one of its foundations, working with disabled individuals. He was a noted Kung Fu entertainer, doing demonstrations that not only entertained but also preserved its traditional moral perspective and understanding of the Chinese culture. He has raised over $350,000 for the benefit of the disabled children. His work with children with disabilities and his personal struggles with asthma as a child influenced his most renowned work, the feature film SideKicks. He wrote the screen play in 1993, it is available on Netflix and YouTube.

He was a good man. Rest in peace, my brother, Matthew 25:23 “Well done, my good and faithful servant…” Matthew 25:40 “…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine you did for me.”

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 9, 2023, in the John B. Greenlee Funeral Home, Ltd., 2830 Main Street, Beallsville, PA 15313, with Pastor David Reihner officiating. Services will also be held in Baton Rouge, La. at a later date.

An online guestbook is available at GreenleeFuneralHome.com where you may express personal condolences to the Illar family.