|
XAVIER THOMAS GABBARD
, six month old infant son of Matthew James and Elizabeth Marie Gabbard of rural Mt. Carroll, Illinois, passed on to eternal life March 4, 2009 at Children's Hospital, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A Funeral Mass will be held 10:00 Monday, March 9, 2009 at the Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home, Mt. Carroll with Father Charles McGuire of St. Hughes Catholic Church, Milwaukee, officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Mt. Carroll, followed by a luncheon at the Naaman Diehl Hall, Mt. Carroll. Visitation will be held from 2:00 - 7:00 p.m. Sunday, March 8, 2009 at the Funeral Home followed by a Rosary Service at 7:00 p.m. A memorial fund has been established in Xavier's name.
Xavier was born August 31, 2008 at Bettendorf, Iowa. From the beginning of his life he has had to overcome many challenges. Xavier was courageous and loving. His family has been blessed by his presence in their lives, Mom and Dad; brothers, Alexander Joseph and Zachary Matthew; and his sister, Hannah Marie. Xavier's journey has also touched many other lives, including a very loving extended family of Grandmas, Grandpas, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins; and doctors, nurses and caregivers.
CHARLENE C. GABLE
, age 63, of Savanna, Illinois, died Friday, March 14, 2008 at the Big Meadows Nursing Home in Savanna, Illinois. A Graveside Funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, March 20, 2008 at the Jacobstown Cemetery in rural Savanna, with Reverend Robert Schubert officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Genesis Hospice of Clinton in Charlene's name. Charlene was born on November 8, 1944, the daughter of Charles and Marrina (Promenshenkel) Gable.She attended Center Hill School in Mount Carroll and worked for the Rolling Hill Progress Center in Lanark for 15 Years, until retiring in 2006.Charlene enjoyed coloring and working with her hands.Most of all, she loved spending time with her family. Charlene will be dearly missed by her three brothers; Edwin (Nancy) Gable ofMt. Carroll, Melvin (Brenda) Gable of Savanna, and Francis Gable of Savanna; two sisters, Marie (Laverne) Harding of Savanna and Marge (Allen) Fowler of Maquoketa, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews. Charlene was preceded in death by her parents and her Uncle Glen.
CLARISSA E. GANS
, was born at Franklin Grove, Ill., July 13, 1861. Removed to Lanark, Ill., at the age of four years where she lived until moving to Milledgeville a few months ago. She was married to Harry W. Miller May 3, 1882. Two children were born to them a boy and a girl. The little boy died at the age of 14 months. THe little girl survives her, being about 10 months old. Mrs. Miller was baptized into the Abrahamic church in Lanark, at the age of 15 and has since lived a life consistent with her profession. She leaves a husband and the little girl, with many friends to mourn her loss. Died at 9 o'clock P.M., Dec. 29, 1891. "Blessed are the dead, that die in the Lord."
FRANK GARROW
- Mr. and Mrs. L. G. Garrow of Chicago accompanied the remains of their only child, Frank, aged one years and three months, to Milledgeville Monday evening. The body of the little one was taken to the home of M. B. Freas, brother of Mrs. Garrow. The funeral services were conducted from the Freas home on Tuesday afternoon, the officiating pastors being Rev. J. W. McKitrick and Rev. M. A. Witter. The burial was made in Bethel cemetery, Little Frank had never een strong but was sick but a short time with membranous croup. The following relatives accompanied the parents with their little one to this place: MR. and Mrs. H. B. Freas, Mr. and Mrs. Brosman and Mrs. William Miller, all of Chicago, and Mrs. S. A. Hathaway of Ottawa, Illinois.
CHARLES GAYLORD
was born January 14, 1836, in Braintrim township, Wyoming Co., Pennsylvania. With his father he moved to Illinois in 1848, settling near Dixon. He afterwards removed to Carroll Co., settling near Milledgeville. He was a resident of Milledgeville from March, 1879 to August, 1899. In August, 1899 he moved to Fulton, Illinois, at which place he passed away, January 2nd, 1900, aged 63 years, 11 months and 18 days. Mr. Gaylord was a Civil War Veteran, having been mustered into the service September 7th, 1861. He was honorably discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, July 12, 1865, having served nearly four years. He united with the M. E. church in March, 1866, since which time he has been a faithful member of that organization. His wife and four children survive him. The funeral services were held in the M. E. church Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. Davis officiating. Interment took place in the Bethel cemetery.
CHRISTOPHER GEISON
, 69, Lifelong resident of the Chadwick vicinity, died of a heart attack Saturday, Oct. 10, at about 2:30 p. m., while at work at the PMA corn storage bins in the north end of Chadwick.
Mr. Geison was engaged in checking in loads of corn being brought to the site for storage, and when he failed to appear when a truckload arrived, other workers started searching for him. He was found lying on the ground near one of the storage bins. Chadwick firemen were called to the scene with a resuscitator, but efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.
Funeral services were held on Monday at 1:30 p. m. in the Geison home and at 2:30 p. m. in Hope E. U. B. church. The Rev. Eldon V. Schriver officiated and burial was in Chadwick cemetery.
The pastor read selected Scripture, the poem, "The Eternal Goodness" by Whittier, and as a basis for his comforting remarks, Isiah 45:3.
A male quartet composed of Delmar Lang, Evan and Oscar Rahn, and George Earl Weber, sang, "Beyond the Sunset" and "Go To Thy rest," accompanied by Mrs. Herbert Stein.
The many beautiful floral tributes, a silent testimony to the high esteem in which Mr. Geison was held in this community, were cared for by Mrs. Charles Spealman and Mrs. J. Y. Stickell.
Pall bearers were Ed Mest, Lawrence Strauch, Harry Carbaugh, Harvey Zugschwerdt, L. B. Spencer and Elmer Weber.
Mr. Geison was born March 27, 1884, son of George and Theresa Diehl Geison, on a farm south of Chadwick. He attended the local schools and later engaged in farming. On Feb. 16, 1910, he was married to Cora Schreiner in the parsonage of Hope church. The Rev. J. G. Finkbeiner, pastor, officiated. Mr. Geison had been engaged in farming nearly all his life. He was a member of Hope E. U. B. church and of the church council.
LEMUEL GERDES
of Coleta died Saturday of consumption and was buried Monday. She went west about a year ago thinking she might be benefitted by the climate of the higher altitude but returned last Friday with no hopes of recovery and died the following day. She was a daughter of Joseph Harrison of near Coleta.
NELLIE GIFFROW
, the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Giffrow residing near Jordan died at the Clinton hospital Thursday, August 11, after an illness of four weeks. Four weeks ago she was taken to the Clinton hospital where she submitted to an operation for appendicitis. The operation was successful but later typhoid fever developed and this was followed by pneumonia, and she grew weaker until death came at 9:30 Thursday evening. The remains were taken to their country home Friday and the funeral was held Sunday afternoon at the home. Burial at West Jordan, Rev. C. A. Herr of Osborn, Ohio, officiated. Miss Nellie Giffrow was born Feb. 12, 1893, and at the time of her death was 17 years, 5 months and 30 days old. Miss Giffrow has many friends in this vicinity who were pained to learn of her death and who extend their sympathy to the heartbroken father and mother.
MARY E. GRANT
at her residence in Lanark Sunday morning. Jan. 24, 1886, after suffering of twelve years. Aged 46 years, 9 months and 1 day.
REBECCA (STEVENS) GRADY
, was born March 6, 1823, in Afton, Autigonish county, Nova Scotia. Her death occurred November 4th 1908 at the age of 85 years, 7 months and 28 days. On July 13, 1844 she was married to Thomas S. Grady. To this union were born ten children, eight of whom are living, two dying in infancy. Those living are John W. of Owen Sound, Canada; James G. of Goldfield, Nevada; Henry S. of Rockford, Ia.; Thomas B. and Anna M. of Rock Island, Ill; Robert N. of St. Paul, Minn.; Lucy J. Senneff of Peyton, Colorado and M. Elizabeth Woolard of Milledgeville, Ill. At an early age she united with the Christian Church in Canada. In 1871 she came to Fair Haven, Ill., and then united with the Evangelical church of which she remained a faithful member until the time of her death. She lived at Fair Haven until the death of her husband in 1891, at that time she removed to Milledgeville and made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Woolard. She was a woman with a beautiful Christian character and an inspiration to all who knew her. Her faith in her Savior never wavered but seemed to grow brighter and brighter. In her last illness she said "I am forgetting the past but looking forward with joy to the future." Her last conscious moments were filled with praises to God. She was one of God's Saints and will be sadly missed in the church, Sunday School and Missionary Society which she always attended when her health permitted. The funeral was held at Fair Haven and was largely attended by her old friends and neighbors of former days. The remains were laid to rest beside those of her companion there to await the Resurrection morn. The funeral sermon was preached by R. S. Welch, assisted by Rev. Witter of the Brethren church, Milledgeville, Ill.
LUCILE M. GRAY , 66, of 1148 W. Pleasant, St. Freeport, died Thursday, August 5, 1978 while on vacation in Asheville, N. C. She was a retired Freeport Junior High School teacher and member of Embury United Methodist Church, Stephenson County Historical Society, Illinois Historical Society and Delta Kappa Gamma. Born July 28, 1912 in Edgewood, Iowa, she was the daughter of Martin Luther and Laura (Williamson) Gray. Surviving is one brother, William Gray, of Mount Morris. She was preceded in death by her parents. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Walker Mortuary in Freeport with the Rev. William H. Blomberg, pastor of Embury United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Mount Carroll. WILLIAM GRAY
was born in Lycoming Co., Penn., March 4, 1826, of parentage in whose veins flowed the virile blood of the Puritans of Massachusetts. At 29 years of age he was married to Miss Elizabeth Hughes, at Coring, N. Y. They lived a happy domestic life until death entered the home on Christmas day, 1888 and claimed her. There were born to this union five children, two of whom, Alice and Anna, preceded their mother. The remaining three are Dr. Gray, of Milledgeville; George H., of Colorado Springs, and Mrs. E. E. Gaylord, of Cleveland, Ohio. Besides these children he has a brother and sister living in Chicago and a brother in Wellsboro, Penn. He joined the Methodist church about thirty years ago and since has lived a consistent, though not all the time an active Christian life. Christian grace and character were seen in his life and work. He was of gently loving disposition, very yielding, and "In love preferring others". Of him it can truly be said, "he shall not strive" for his disposition was non-combative. He was characterized by great industry and seemed never to be idle a single moment. In business dealings he was honorable and strictly upright and those who knew him regarded his word as good as his note. For some years his health and strength of body and mind have been giving way by degrees till age and decay finished their work on Thursday, April 20, 1899, when the spirit found release. The funeral services were held at the home of his son, Dr. W. A. Gray, Saturday afternoon at two o'clock., Rev. J. J. Rapp officiating. The remains were laid to rest in the Bethel cemetery.
SIMON GREENLEAF
departs this life last Monday morning. The end comes peacefully to an aged and honored citizen. Born May 3, 1822 died March 13, 1893.
MRS. ADAM GREENAWALT
passed away at her home at Fair Haven on Wednesday morning about 6 a.m.
Mrs. Greenwalt had not been in the best of health for several years, but was only confined to her bed for a few days, suffering from a tumorous cancer and diabetes. Her husband passed away very suddenly about a month ago. A granddaughter also passed away in the spring, and the passing away of Mrs. Greenawalt makes three deaths in the family in a very short time.
Mrs. Greenawalt has lived around Fair Haven all her life, some sixty years, and is survived by two daughters, Mrs. John Larson and Mrs. John Armstrong both of Fair Haven, two sisters, Mrs. B. S. Robinson and Mrs. F. A. Lego; six brothers, James, Ernie, Dill and Roy Isenhart of this place; Elmer Isenhart of Fulton and Charles Isenhart of Mt. Carroll.
Funeral services will be held at the Evangelical church at Fair Haven, with burial at Fair Haven cemetery, beside her husband.
JULIUS, GREGOIRUS
- At the home of his daughter, Mrs. Louis Garwick, six miles west of Milledgeville, Saturday evening, Nov. 25, 1893, of dropsy and softening of the brain, Mr. Julius Gregoirus, aged 69 years, 6 months, and 1 day. The deceased was born in Germany, near the Rhine R., May 24, 1824. Early in his life came to Wisconsin where he engaged in the lumber business. About twenty-eight years ago, he bought property in Sterling, Ill., and resided there until last November, when on account of his feeble health he and his wife moved to the home of their son-in-law, Mrs. Louis Garwick of Fair Haven township. The death of Mr. Gregoirus takes from a wife a kind husband, and from four daughters and one son, a loving father. The funeral services took place Tuesday morning at the Lutheran church in West Genesee, and the remains were laid away in their final resting place, in the Lutheran burying ground.
BETTY LOU GRENOBLE
, age 79, of Mt. Carroll, Illinois, died Saturday, June 13, 2009 at the Carroll County Good Samaritan Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Mt. Carroll. A funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at the Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home, Mt. Carroll, with Pastor Ron Abbott of the Mt. Carroll Church of God officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Mt. Carroll. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, prior to the service at the Funeral Home. A memorial fund has been established in Betty’s name.
Betty was born February 17, 1930 in Mt. Carroll, the daughter of Floyd and Florence (Cluck) Curboy. She was raised a farm girl and loved horses. Betty attended the Polsgrove Country School. On November 22, 1948, Betty married Stover Edmund “Ed” Grenoble in Milledgeville.
Betty was a homemaker most of her life. She had also worked at the Savanna City Hospital in the 1960s and Atwoods in Mt. Carroll.
Most important to Betty were her grandchildren, who affectionately called her “Grandma B”. In younger years, Betty enjoyed riding horses, fishing, squirrel hunting, mushroom hunting and gardening. She was a member of the Mt. Carroll Church of God and years ago had been baptized by Pastor Ellis in the Plum River near Pleasant Valley.
Betty will be dearly missed by her two sons, Larry Grenoble of Mt. Carroll and Brad (Kathy) Grenoble of Milledgeville; her daughter Pam (Glen) Heisler of Mt. Carroll; six grandchildren, Brad (Leah) Grenoble, Brooke and Brittany Grenoble, Gregory Heisler, Jennifer (Mike Mikesell) Heisler, Laura (fiancé Justin Knutti) Heisler; seven great grandchildren, Taylor, Jade, Maliah, Peyton, Katie, Alyson and Hannah; two nephews, John and Tim; five nieces, Patty, Marilyn, Shirley, Linda and Eileen; and her special cat, “Muffy”.
Preceding Betty in death were her parents; husband; two brothers, Woodrow and Owen; a sister, Myrtle Janssen; and two nieces, Donna and Lois.
EMIEL GROEZINGER
, 86, of rural Savanna, died at his home Monday of last week. He was the father of Mrs. Jack (Alice) Hoak of Lanark. Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at St. John's Lutheran Church, Masbach, with burial in Mosquito Hill Cemetery.
Emiel Groezinger was born July 2, 1887 at Massbach in Joe Daviess County to Jacob and Elizabeth Garner Groezinger. He married Marie Steffes, April 16, 1911 in Massbach. He was a retired farmer.
Survivors include his widow, a son, Glen, Savanna; six daughters, Mrs. Dale (Florence) Durfey, Bartlett; Mrs. Jack (Alice) Hoak, Lanark; Mrs. Raymond (Helen) Kennedy, Lansing; Mrs. Rollyn (Joy) Loomis, Morrison; Mrs. Joseph J. (Lois) Spencer, Thomson; and Mrs. Milton (Joan) Nicholas, Kewanee; 17 grandchilren and six great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by six brothers, six sisters and a great grandchild.
JACOB GROSSMAN
died at his home in Lanark, Saturday, December 15, 1906, at the age of 69 years, 2 months, and 9 days. His death was due to a stroke of paralysis.
Mr. Grossman was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, September 6, 1837, and was one of a family of eleven children. He was educated in the schools of his native state and took up the profession of teaching which he followed for several years both in Pennsylvania and in Carroll County, Illinois. He came to Illinois in 1859 and December 1, 1864 he married Miss Sarah Stitzel and they began housekeeping on a farm east of Lanark where they lived for thirty-five years until moving to Lanark several years ago. Mr. Grossman was noted as a breeder of thoroughbred stock throughout Illinois and adjoining states. For several years he had been president of the National Swine Breeders' association and the Poland China Record association. In 1872 Mr. Grossman became a member of the Lutheran church and was a great worker for the same cause of Christ. He was especially interested in Sunday school work and besides being superintendent of his own school for thirty years was prominent among the town and county Sunday school workers. Mr. Grossman was a great temperance worker and a man of sterling worth, thoroughly above reproach in his home life and in business. He was one of the substantial men whose death is a great loss to any community. Besides his sorrowing wife he leaves to mourn his death six children, six brothers and four sisters. Funeral services were held at the Lutheran church in Lanark at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday and were conducted by the pastor, Rev. Max Herring, assisted by Rev. Cross. The remains were laid to rest in the Lanark cemetery.
NANCY J. (LONG) GROSSMAN
was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, January 29th 1852, and died April 2nd, 1895, aged 43 years, 2 months and 3 days. She came west with her parents in 1852, and located with the family in Cherry Grove, Carroll county, Illinois. She was married to John H. Grossman in Waterloo, Iowa, August 9th, 1871; commenced housekeeping in Milledgeville, Illinois, in 1872 and resided there nine years, and there were born into this home Natie, Edith and Vera. After that she resided one year in Coleta, Whiteside county, Illinois, five years in Shannon, Illinois, where was born teh youngest child, Roy, and eight years in Lanark. Sister Grossman leaves to mourn over her departure a husband, four children, three brothers and five sisters. John Long residing at Newton, Iowa; George and Arthur at Denver, Colorado; Mrs. Zenie Peifer and Libbie Eighmey of Hudson, Iowa; Mrs. Catherine Emmert of California; Mrs. Sarah Swab of LaForge, Missouri, and Mrs. Margaret Zook of Cherry Grove. Her brothers, George and Arthur, visited her during her sickness, as also did her sisters Sarah, Zenie and Libbie. Sarah Swab and Margaret Zook were at her bedside when she fell asleep in Jesus. She gave her heart to Jesus when but fifteen years old and united with the German Baptist church. In 1892 she identified herself with the Brethren church. Her devotions to her Savior for the last sex months were phenomenal, and although her intense suffering was to her inexpainable, she would always close her petitions with "the Lord's will be done." Her last uttered words to her husband were: "Harry is with me; Jesus is with me and is opening the gate to let me in." The funeral was conducted by the writer on Thursday afternoon, in the presence of a large concourse of people. Rev. J. Kuhn of the Lutheran church and Elder David Rowland of the German Baptist church assisted.
SARAH (STITZEL) GROSSMAN
a lifelong resident of Lanark, passed away Sunday evening (Oct. 15, 1933) at her home on East Locust street. Death occurred at 7 p.m. after an illness of about 2 months.
Mrs. Grossman was wellknown and respected by all who knew her. A true representative of that sturdy race of pioneers who made this country what it now is.
She was a daughter of pioneer residents of this community, her parents having come west from Franklin Co Pa in a covered wagon. She was born two days after they arrived here.
Surviving are five daughters and one son. Mrs. Estelle Wolfe, Mrs. Gertrude Brenaman and Miss Addie Grossman, all of Lanark. Mrs. Mabel Guthrie of Manhattan KS, Mrs. Jessie Farwell of Freeport and E.C. Grossman of Decatur; 13 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Her husbandpreceded her in death in 1906.
Mrs. Grossman was an active member of the Church of God in Lanark and of the W.C.T.U.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Church of God, Rev. Mary Newcomer of Buda IL in charge,
assisted by Rev. W.H. Eirhart (Airhart?) of Lanark. Burial was made in Lanark Cemetery.
EMELINE S. (BUSELL) GRUBER , daughter of David Copp. & Gertrude Elizabeth (Taylor) Busell was born near Milledgeville IL, Dec. 6, 1875 and died at her home in Polo, Sept. 6, 1902. The immediate cause of death was double pneumonia but she had poor health for more than a year and about four weeks ago she was stricken with typhoid fever which rapidly reduced her strength. Her childhood was spent on her father's farm. She attended the Milledgeville High School and graduated with the class of 1893. Previous to her graduation she was happily converted to God and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Happy and contented in her home she was reluctant to leave it but on Feb. 12, 1901 she was married to Arthur C. Gruber of Milledgeville and they began life in a cozy little home in Polo IL, laying plans for a bright and happy future. Possessed of an optimistic nature and a patient and uncomplaining disposition she soon won many friends. Caring little for display and thoroughly despising shams, she tried to be good and useful rather than to seek pleasure for herself. Strong in her convictions she was faithful in her religious duties, loyal to her friends and true and affectionate to her husband and parents. Besides her husband she leaves her parents, her sister Mrs. C.A. Spanogle and many relatives and friends. Her remains were brought from Polo Sunday, the funeral being held at her father's house Tuesday afternoon, Rev. Thornton her pastor at Polo, officiating, assisted by Rev. Gage of Milledgeville and Rev. LaRash of Steward IL. Interment was made in South Elkhorn cemetery, the members of the class of 93 acting as honorary pall bearers. INFANT GRUBER
- The infant child of Rev. and Mrs. Gruber, died at 2 o'clock last Saturday morning,
ISIAH GRUNDY
who recently moved from Coleta to Thomson died in the latter place Friday, December 16, of hemorrhage of the lungs. He was about thirty years of age and leaves a wife and one child to mourn his loss.
PEARL SOPHIA (LONGNECKER) GUMS , age 92, of Mount Carroll, Illinois, passed away on Wednesday, January 9, 2008 at the Freeport Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Freeport, Illinois. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, January 14, 2008 at the Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home, Mt. Carroll, Illinois with Reverend Robert Ziebarth of the First Baptist Church in Mount Carroll officiating. Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Mt. Carroll. Friends may call from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Monday, January 14, 2008, prior to the service at the funeral home. A memorial fund has been established in Pearl's memory. Pearl was born on January 13, 1915, the daughter of Emery and Ida (Frey) Longnecker in Wolfsville, Maryland. Pearl married Clarence L. Gums on January 15, 1939 in Clinton, Iowa. Pearl cleaned the Frances Shimer College in Mount Carroll for ten years and she cleaned homes in the area. She was also employed by the Savanna Proving Grounds and the Savanna Garment Factory. Pearl was a member of the Baptist Faith and enjoyed reading the Bible. Pearl loved cooking, quilting, and flower gardening. Pearl will be missed by one daughter, Grace (Frank) Zahn of Lanark, Illinois; nineteen grandchildren; twenty-eight great grandchildren; nine great-great grandchildren; and one great-great-great grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews. Pearl was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence; two sons, Clarence Gums and Ralph Johnson; two brothers, Charles Wolfe and William Longnecker; two sisters, Effie Finkenbinder and Mary Zissler Lloyd; and one great grandchild. THOR V. GUNNARSSONS
, age 60 of Grand Terrace, California, formerly of Savanna, Illinois, died on Friday, July 17, 2009 at the Loma Linda V.A. Hospital, Loma Linda, California after a sudden illness. Cremation rites have been accorded. Burial of his cremated remains will take place in the Savanna Township Cemetery, Savanna.
Thor was born in Reykjavik, Iceland on November 7, 1948, the son of Borgthor V. and Asta B. (Thordardottir) Gunnarsson. He was brought to America as an infant when his parents immigrated here. The family spent their first years in Boston, then Houston and New York before they settled in Savanna in 1957. Thor was a graduate of Savanna High School, Class of 1967. As a boy he was active in sports; he loved to fish, camp and water ski on the Mississippi River. He was the quarterback of the Savanna Indians football team that tied for the Illowa Conference Championship his senior year.
Thor received his bachelor's degree with honors in aerospace engineering from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana in 1971, where he was 4-year ROTC. He received his master's degree in engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology in 1973. He completed Air Force pilot training in 1973 and became a pilot in the USAF, Strategic Air Command. He was stationed principally at Loring AFB in Maine, but was also stationed in Thailand, Guam, Alaska, Scotland, and briefly in Iran, before being finally stationed in southern California. He left the military after 15 years with the rank of Major. His last military assignments were as a flight instructor on KC-135 aircraft at March AFB while he provided ground assistance at Edwards AFB in relation to development of the B-1 bomber. After the Air Force, Thor was a pilot with Continental Airlines until he retired in 2005. His last routes were 757's flown out of Los Angeles. He loved everything about aircraft.
Thor married Gail Macro, in Maine, in 1977. When Thor flew for the airline, Gail used to meet him at the airport when his flight was complete. She was at his bedside when he died
Thor is survived by his wife, Gail, his stepchildren, Pam, Lori and Terry, two grandsons, Tony and, Austin; two brothers, Val Gunnarsson and Gunnar (Helen) Gunnarsson; nieces Jill and Marianne and his nephew, Erik. Thor was preceded in death by his parents.
|