Milton E. 'Milt' Truesdale Obituary (1929 - 2014)

MILTON EARL TRUESDALE- Milton “Milt” Truesdale, 85, Durand, Illinois, passed away at 4:20 p.m., Sunday, July 6, 2014 peacefully with his family at his side at Wesley Willows from complications of Alzheimer’s. He was born in the family farmhouse at Ithaca, Wisconsin on February 5, 1929, the son of Foster and Thelma (Moser) Truesdale. Graduated as Salutatorian of his 1946 graduating class from Ithaca High School. Graduated from Indiana Central College in 1950 with a B.S. in Science and Education. He received his Master’s degree in Guidance Counseling in 1968 from Northern IL University. Served in the US Army in the 379 th Division from 1950-1952 during the Korean Conflict as a lab tech in an evacuation hospital in Germany. Married the former Marlene L. Mc Cauley in Richland Center, Wisconsin on November 26, 1954. He was employed as a 6 th grade school teacher at Durand Community School District, then later taught High School Biology and finished his career as the guidance counselor. He also coached baseball, football and basketball. Milt retired from the Durand schools in 1991. During his retirement, he worked at Greene True Value until 1999. Starting in 1969, for several summers, he also worked for Bosie Cascade helping with the Lake Summerset project. He was a member of Durand United Methodist Church, where he was active on many committees and chaired the pancake breakfast for 20 years. Milt was a charter member of the Durand Lion’s Club and he chaired the Lion’s Rose Day for years. Member of Durand Athletic Association, Illinois Education Association and National Education Association. He was chairman of the Zoning Committee for the Village of Durand for 20 years. Survivors include his wife, Marlene Truesdale, Rockford, Illinois; son, Ron (Trista) Truesdale, Winnebago, Illinois; daughters, Paige Ann (Jim) Getz, Crystal Lake, Illinois and Nancy KIeckler, Chicago, Illinois; grandchildren, Theanna (Adam) Ledyard, Tellus “Andy” Truesdale, Tarah (Rev Seth) Goodson, Tori (Tim) Babbitt, Matthew, Nicholas and Jenna Getz; Phillip (Randi) and Nathan Kleckler; great grandchildren, Jericho, Haven and Ephraim Goodson, Sam, Zeke and Cooper Ledyard and Rory Kleckler and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, great grandson Gideon Goodson, brother Martin Truesdale and sister Edith Mae Mow. Funeral ceremonies will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, July 11, 2014 in Durand United Methodist Church, 102 East Main Street, Durand, Illinois with Pastor Brian Channel and Reverend Thomas M. Hardwick co-officiating. Burial will be in Durand Township Cemetery, Durand, Illinois. Visitation will be held at the church from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm Thursday. Memorials may be given to Durand United Methodist Church, Durand Lion’s Club, PO Box 474, Durand, IL 61024 or Wesley Willows Good Samaritan Fund, 4141 W Rockton Ave, Rockford, IL 61103.