Earl Spears

Earl L. Spears

Age 79 of Wilmington, passed away suddenly Monday February 2, 2009 at his home. Born April 14, 1929 in Hoopeston, Illinois Earl was a son of the late Claude and Jewel Suddreth-Spears. He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict with the 76th Engineering Battalion. Earl graduated from Olivet Nazarene College where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. His employment included working as business manager for Talager Sheet Metal, office manager for Van Duyne Bros. Inc., supervisor at UniRoyal, plant accountant for Cel-Fibe, accountant for Armour Pharmaceuticals, public administrator for the Illinois Department of Corrections (retiring in 1996) and accountant for Shapiro Center Accounting in Kankakee. Earl was also on the Will County Board of Supervisors and served as Wesley Township Supervisor, Clerk and Trustee. He was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church in Wilmington.

Survivors include his loving children; two sons: Dennis Spears of Wilmington and Claude (Elizabeth) Spears of Robbins, Iowa; one daughter: Robin (Jim) Sommers of Chebanse, Illinois; one grandson: Steven Scanlon; his twin sister LaVonne "Winona" Spears of Wilmington and one brother-in-law Clarence Ferdinand of St. Anne, Illinois, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents and wife Virginia (2005).

Visitation will be held on Friday February 06, 2009 between the hours of 4:00PM and 8:00PM at Reeves Funeral Home, 219 North Joliet Street (two blocks North of Illinois Route 53 / Baltimore Street) in Wilmington.

Funeral services will follow on Saturday February 7th at 10:00AM in the funeral home with Reverend Chris Beamsley from Grace Lutheran Church in Wilmington officiating.

Interment with full military honors will be in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Earl's memory to a charity of the donors choosing.

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction of Reeves Funeral Home in Wilmington (815/476-7621)