LENA - Grayson Vertis Blocher, 85, of Lena, passed away on March 12, 2008 at the Monroe Clinic Hospital in Monroe, WI. Grayson was born on September 29, 1922 in Gardners, PA, the son of Earl D. and Marie (Henkle) Blocher. He was a 1940 graduate of Biglerville High School in Biglerville, PA. He married Betty Arlene Jones on September 29, 1942 in Hagerstown, MD.
Grayson worked at the University of Chicago through the 1950's. He was especially proud of his contributions as an electrician while working with Enrico Fermi and his staff at Fermilab.
In 1959 he moved his family from Hammond, Indiana to the Lena area and began his 25 year employment at Micro Switch in Freeport. He retired in 1984.
Grayson was an avid train watcher and was one of the founding members of the "Depot Stove Gang" in Lena.
He was also an electronics hobbyist and built many of his own circuits and controls. He was a willing volunteer and lent his electronics expertise to the completion of many community and family projects.
Grayson's family was very important to him and he was immensely proud of his daughter and son-in-law, his two grandchildren and their families.
His memberships included: Lena United Methodist Church, lifetime member of the Loyal Order of the Moose, Stephenson County Sheriff's Auxiliary, Lena Masonic Lodge #174 where he was twice elected as Worshipful Master and Freeport Consistory.
Surviving is his wife, Betty of Lena; one daughter, Anita (Robert Bing) Wells of Lena, IL; two grandchildren, Brooke (John) Thomas of Peoria, IL, Robert Brent (Kelly) Wells of Sun Prairie, WI; 4 great-grandchildren, Kira and Jenna Thomas and Caleb and Abigail Wells; one brother, Norman G. (Thelma) Blocher of Bendersville, PA; one sister, Betty A. (Charles) Beamer of Bendersville, PA; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Ralph in 1958; and one niece, Brenda Giberson.
Serivces will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 17, 2008 at the Lena United Methodist Church. Pastor Scott McClellan will officiate the service.
Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 16, 2008 at Leamon Funeral Home Lena, IL. A Masonic Service will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Burial will be in Lena Burial Park, Lena, IL.
A memorial has been established in his name. Friends may send condolences to the family at www.leamonfh.com.
Grayson worked at the University of Chicago through the 1950's. He was especially proud of his contributions as an electrician while working with Enrico Fermi and his staff at Fermilab.
In 1959 he moved his family from Hammond, Indiana to the Lena area and began his 25 year employment at Micro Switch in Freeport. He retired in 1984.
Grayson was an avid train watcher and was one of the founding members of the "Depot Stove Gang" in Lena.
He was also an electronics hobbyist and built many of his own circuits and controls. He was a willing volunteer and lent his electronics expertise to the completion of many community and family projects.
Grayson's family was very important to him and he was immensely proud of his daughter and son-in-law, his two grandchildren and their families.
His memberships included: Lena United Methodist Church, lifetime member of the Loyal Order of the Moose, Stephenson County Sheriff's Auxiliary, Lena Masonic Lodge #174 where he was twice elected as Worshipful Master and Freeport Consistory.
Surviving is his wife, Betty of Lena; one daughter, Anita (Robert Bing) Wells of Lena, IL; two grandchildren, Brooke (John) Thomas of Peoria, IL, Robert Brent (Kelly) Wells of Sun Prairie, WI; 4 great-grandchildren, Kira and Jenna Thomas and Caleb and Abigail Wells; one brother, Norman G. (Thelma) Blocher of Bendersville, PA; one sister, Betty A. (Charles) Beamer of Bendersville, PA; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Ralph in 1958; and one niece, Brenda Giberson.
Serivces will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 17, 2008 at the Lena United Methodist Church. Pastor Scott McClellan will officiate the service.
Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 16, 2008 at Leamon Funeral Home Lena, IL. A Masonic Service will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Burial will be in Lena Burial Park, Lena, IL.
A memorial has been established in his name. Friends may send condolences to the family at www.leamonfh.com.