87, Oblong, IL
Garold F. Sholders, 87, of Oblong, IL passed away on Saturday June 22, 2019 at Ridgeview Care Center in Oblong, IL.
Celebration of Garold’s Life will at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday June 26, 2019 at the First Christian Church in Oblong, IL. Burial will follow in Oblong Cemetery.
Visitation will from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday June 25, 2019 at the church.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, an expression of sympathy may take the form of a contribution to the Oblong FFA, Oblong Antique Tractor and Engine Club or the First Christian Church of Oblong. Envelopes will be available at the church or may be mailed to Pulliam Funeral Home P.O. Box 121 Oblong, IL 62449.
Garold was born in Pierceburg, Illinois on March 19, 1932. He was the son of Ivan V. and Ruby Leone (York) Sholders. He married Marilyn Maxine (Allen) on October 22, 1955. She preceded him in death on September 23, 2016.
Garold attended Hardinville Grade School and graduated from Oblong Township High School in 1950. Before enlisting in the Army to serve his county in the Korean War, he began his career with LS Heath & Sons. After the service, he returned to work at LS Heath, which was later called American Dairy. He worked as a milkman, delivering milk from house to house across southern Illinois. In 1968 he began working at Marathon Refinery on the Unicracker Unit, later becoming a foreman until retiring in 1986. Additionally, he truly loved farming and raising cattle.
He was an avid supporter of many agricultural events in the community. He served as president of the Crawford County Fair Board for many years and was a longtime exhibitor at the Oblong Antique Tractor and Engine Show. Garold was also a member of the Oblong American Legion Post # 219, where he proudly served by conducting military burial rites. He was also a member of the Oblong Masonic Lodge #644, Crawford County Shrine, Elks and Crawford County Farm Bureau.
Garold was a member of the First Christian Church of Oblong. He served as an elder, a deacon, and was on several committees, including chairman of both House and Pulpit Committees. He worked alongside Marilyn for over 60 years on the family farm. He enjoyed tinkering “out in the shed” on all sorts of projects. He especially loved restoring antique tractors and exhibiting them at the annual Oblong Antique Tractor and Engine Show. He is well known for raising his great-tasting sweet corn and sharing it with many. Garold never met a stranger! He loved talking to people about anything farm related and his days of delivering milk.
Garold and Marilyn always loved to attend the various events their kids and grandkids participated in. They traveled to many sporting events, cattle shows and other activities the family was involved in. His greatest enjoyment was spending time with his friends and family.
Garold is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Diana and Ocie Smith III and Janice and Kerry Travis; four granddaughters, Kylie and Dustin Veach, Danielle and Connor McCoy, Carley and Camryn Travis; two great-grandsons Mason and Maddox Veach; twin brother Harold and sister-in-law Jane Sholders; brother Terry Sholders, and sister Janet Sue Provines; sister-in-law Jan Allen; and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding Garold in death was his wife Marilyn, his parents Ivan and Ruby Sholders; father-in-law and mother-in-law Samuel and Lucille Allen; sister and brother-in-law Lois and Clarence Shew; brother-in-law Finley Provines; brother-in-law Sammy K. Allen.
Condolences and or memories may be sent to the family at www.oblongfuneralhome.com
Pulliam Funeral Home Oblong, IL is in charge of arrangements.
