E. George Myers, 96, of Springfield, died on Sunday, April 23, 2017 at Concordia Village. George was born on December 23, 1920 in Hoopeston, the son of Roy Myers and Laura (Olson) Myers.
He grew up in a world that few now remember, in a farmhouse with no electricity, running water, or central heat, and he attended a one-room schoolhouse, where he was the only student in his grade for eight years. When he was only ten years old he saw his father and his older brother Elmer give their lives while rescuing a swimmer who had gotten caught in strong currents in the Mississippi River. In spite of the hardships of the Great Depression, compounded by the family tragedy, George's mother insisted on the importance of education, and George and his siblings, Bill and Cecil, all graduated from college; George with a degree in agriculture from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. Immediately after graduation, George enlisted in the Navy and was commissioned a lieutenant, seeing service during the Second World War as Navigation Officer aboard an LST (Landing Ship Tank) in the South Pacific and the Philippines.
After the war's end, George returned to Hoopeston and married Patricia Hope Neathery, daughter of Ed and Pernie (Thomas) Neathery of Hoopeston and sister to Jack, Gael, and Lynn Neathery. George and Pat then moved to Springfield, where George worked for 13 years as agricultural advisor for the Extension Service, supervising educational outreach programs, including 4-H. He then became agricultural representative and eventually Vice-President in the Farm Department of Illinois National Bank, managing farms and advising landowners and tenant farmers. After 18 years at the bank, he formed Myers Land Services, buying, selling, appraising, and managing farms, a business that is now carried on by Paul Rice as Myers Rice Auction and Realty.
After his wife Pat's death in 1998, George found pleasure in visiting his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He traveled to many places in the United States and around the world, and he discovered a new interest in reuniting with his former Navy shipmates who had served on LSTs. In 2009, he moved to Concordia Village in Springfield, where he made many new friends and kept up with the large network of friends and colleagues that he had formed while working in agriculture in central Illinois for more than 50 years. In 2010, he was honored by induction into the Sangamon County Agriculture Hall of Fame.
He was also predeceased by his brothers, Elmer and Bill; and his sister, Cecil.
He is survived by his son, David and wife Sue of Clarkesville, Georgia; his daughter, Gay and partner Lance Mayer of Ledyard, Connecticut; his son, Edward and wife Dee Taube of Davis, California; his grandchildren, Bree, Jon, Jess, and Cori; and great-grandchildren, Brian and Jax.
Visitation and Funeral Ceremony: Family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral ceremony at 11:00 a.m on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at Concordia Village, Springfield, with Chaplain Chris Nilges officiating.
Burial will be at Floral Hills Cemetery, Hoopeston, at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 7, 2017.
Arrangements entrusted to Boardman Smith Funeral Home, Springfield, IL.
He grew up in a world that few now remember, in a farmhouse with no electricity, running water, or central heat, and he attended a one-room schoolhouse, where he was the only student in his grade for eight years. When he was only ten years old he saw his father and his older brother Elmer give their lives while rescuing a swimmer who had gotten caught in strong currents in the Mississippi River. In spite of the hardships of the Great Depression, compounded by the family tragedy, George's mother insisted on the importance of education, and George and his siblings, Bill and Cecil, all graduated from college; George with a degree in agriculture from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. Immediately after graduation, George enlisted in the Navy and was commissioned a lieutenant, seeing service during the Second World War as Navigation Officer aboard an LST (Landing Ship Tank) in the South Pacific and the Philippines.
After the war's end, George returned to Hoopeston and married Patricia Hope Neathery, daughter of Ed and Pernie (Thomas) Neathery of Hoopeston and sister to Jack, Gael, and Lynn Neathery. George and Pat then moved to Springfield, where George worked for 13 years as agricultural advisor for the Extension Service, supervising educational outreach programs, including 4-H. He then became agricultural representative and eventually Vice-President in the Farm Department of Illinois National Bank, managing farms and advising landowners and tenant farmers. After 18 years at the bank, he formed Myers Land Services, buying, selling, appraising, and managing farms, a business that is now carried on by Paul Rice as Myers Rice Auction and Realty.
After his wife Pat's death in 1998, George found pleasure in visiting his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He traveled to many places in the United States and around the world, and he discovered a new interest in reuniting with his former Navy shipmates who had served on LSTs. In 2009, he moved to Concordia Village in Springfield, where he made many new friends and kept up with the large network of friends and colleagues that he had formed while working in agriculture in central Illinois for more than 50 years. In 2010, he was honored by induction into the Sangamon County Agriculture Hall of Fame.
He was also predeceased by his brothers, Elmer and Bill; and his sister, Cecil.
He is survived by his son, David and wife Sue of Clarkesville, Georgia; his daughter, Gay and partner Lance Mayer of Ledyard, Connecticut; his son, Edward and wife Dee Taube of Davis, California; his grandchildren, Bree, Jon, Jess, and Cori; and great-grandchildren, Brian and Jax.
Visitation and Funeral Ceremony: Family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral ceremony at 11:00 a.m on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at Concordia Village, Springfield, with Chaplain Chris Nilges officiating.
Burial will be at Floral Hills Cemetery, Hoopeston, at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 7, 2017.
Arrangements entrusted to Boardman Smith Funeral Home, Springfield, IL.
E. George Myers, 96, of Springfield, died on Sunday, April 23, 2017 at Concordia Village. George was born on December 23, 1920 in Hoopeston, the son of Roy Myers and Laura (Olson) Myers.
He grew up in a world that few now remember, in a farmhouse with no electricity, running water, or central heat, and he attended a one-room schoolhouse, where he was the only student in his grade for eight years. When he was only ten years old he saw his father and his older brother Elmer give their lives while rescuing a swimmer who had gotten caught in strong currents in the Mississippi River. In spite of the hardships of the Great Depression, compounded by the family tragedy, George's mother insisted on the importance of education, and George and his siblings, Bill and Cecil, all graduated from college; George with a degree in agriculture from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. Immediately after graduation, George enlisted in the Navy and was commissioned a lieutenant, seeing service during the Second World War as Navigation Officer aboard an LST (Landing Ship Tank) in the South Pacific and the Philippines.
After the war's end, George returned to Hoopeston and married Patricia Hope Neathery, daughter of Ed and Pernie (Thomas) Neathery of Hoopeston and sister to Jack, Gael, and Lynn Neathery. George and Pat then moved to Springfield, where George worked for 13 years as agricultural advisor for the Extension Service, supervising educational outreach programs, including 4-H. He then became agricultural representative and eventually Vice-President in the Farm Department of Illinois National Bank, managing farms and advising landowners and tenant farmers. After 18 years at the bank, he formed Myers Land Services, buying, selling, appraising, and managing farms, a business that is now carried on by Paul Rice as Myers Rice Auction and Realty.
After his wife Pat's death in 1998, George found pleasure in visiting his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He traveled to many places in the United States and around the world, and he discovered a new interest in reuniting with his former Navy shipmates who had served on LSTs. In 2009, he moved to Concordia Village in Springfield, where he made many new friends and kept up with the large network of friends and colleagues that he had formed while working in agriculture in central Illinois for more than 50 years. In 2010, he was honored by induction into the Sangamon County Agriculture Hall of Fame.
He was also predeceased by his brothers, Elmer and Bill; and his sister, Cecil.
He is survived by his son, David and wife Sue of Clarkesville, Georgia; his daughter, Gay and partner Lance Mayer of Ledyard, Connecticut; his son, Edward and wife Dee Taube of Davis, California; his grandchildren, Bree, Jon, Jess, and Cori; and great-grandchildren, Brian and Jax.
Visitation and Funeral Ceremony: Family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral ceremony at 11:00 a.m on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at Concordia Village, Springfield, with Chaplain Chris Nilges officiating.
Burial will be at Floral Hills Cemetery, Hoopeston, at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 7, 2017.
Arrangements entrusted to Boardman Smith Funeral Home, Springfield, IL.
He grew up in a world that few now remember, in a farmhouse with no electricity, running water, or central heat, and he attended a one-room schoolhouse, where he was the only student in his grade for eight years. When he was only ten years old he saw his father and his older brother Elmer give their lives while rescuing a swimmer who had gotten caught in strong currents in the Mississippi River. In spite of the hardships of the Great Depression, compounded by the family tragedy, George's mother insisted on the importance of education, and George and his siblings, Bill and Cecil, all graduated from college; George with a degree in agriculture from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. Immediately after graduation, George enlisted in the Navy and was commissioned a lieutenant, seeing service during the Second World War as Navigation Officer aboard an LST (Landing Ship Tank) in the South Pacific and the Philippines.
After the war's end, George returned to Hoopeston and married Patricia Hope Neathery, daughter of Ed and Pernie (Thomas) Neathery of Hoopeston and sister to Jack, Gael, and Lynn Neathery. George and Pat then moved to Springfield, where George worked for 13 years as agricultural advisor for the Extension Service, supervising educational outreach programs, including 4-H. He then became agricultural representative and eventually Vice-President in the Farm Department of Illinois National Bank, managing farms and advising landowners and tenant farmers. After 18 years at the bank, he formed Myers Land Services, buying, selling, appraising, and managing farms, a business that is now carried on by Paul Rice as Myers Rice Auction and Realty.
After his wife Pat's death in 1998, George found pleasure in visiting his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He traveled to many places in the United States and around the world, and he discovered a new interest in reuniting with his former Navy shipmates who had served on LSTs. In 2009, he moved to Concordia Village in Springfield, where he made many new friends and kept up with the large network of friends and colleagues that he had formed while working in agriculture in central Illinois for more than 50 years. In 2010, he was honored by induction into the Sangamon County Agriculture Hall of Fame.
He was also predeceased by his brothers, Elmer and Bill; and his sister, Cecil.
He is survived by his son, David and wife Sue of Clarkesville, Georgia; his daughter, Gay and partner Lance Mayer of Ledyard, Connecticut; his son, Edward and wife Dee Taube of Davis, California; his grandchildren, Bree, Jon, Jess, and Cori; and great-grandchildren, Brian and Jax.
Visitation and Funeral Ceremony: Family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral ceremony at 11:00 a.m on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at Concordia Village, Springfield, with Chaplain Chris Nilges officiating.
Burial will be at Floral Hills Cemetery, Hoopeston, at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 7, 2017.
Arrangements entrusted to Boardman Smith Funeral Home, Springfield, IL.
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