Dewitt Obits

Stanford T. Searl of Argenta

Sanford T. “Sandy” Searl, 71, of Argenta passed from this life Saturday (Aug. 17, 2013) at 5:24 a.m. at Decatur Memorial Hospital.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 2155 N. Oakland, Decatur, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Visitation will be Tuesday evening at Calvert Funeral Home, Argenta, from 5 to 7 p.m. Burial will be held at Friends Creek Cemetery, Argenta, following the funeral.

Sandy was born in Chicago on Sept. 23, 1941, to Stacy and Edna LaBrash Searl. He was raised in Galesburg, where he graduated from Galesburg High School. He attended Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, majoring in engineering and was employed at Caterpillar Inc. for 37 years, retiring as a tool designer.

He married Connie Lading of Strasburg on Sept. 22, 1963, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Strasburg. Sandy loved building and flying model airplanes, fishing in Ely, Minn., and traveling and hiking in the Rocky Mountains. He was a loving and devoted Christian husband, father and grandfather.

He is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Connie; his daughters, Sherri (Scott) Hays, Argenta, and Stacia (Doug) Dowell, Bloomington; five grandchildren, Cameron (fiancee, Lauren Woodworth) Hays, Dodge City, Kan.; Olivia (fiance, Ian Rhode) Hays and Byron Hays, Argenta; and Will and Christian Dowell, Bloomington.

Also surviving are his sisters, Arline (Ron) Pearson and Janice (Dale) Hatch; and several nieces and nephews; sisters-in-law, Kay (fiance, Howard Dust) Halford, Joyce (Irvin) Searl and Jean (Larry) Lading.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Jeffrey Searl; his brother, Irvin Searl; and brothers-in-law, Larry Lading and Larry Halford.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials be given to Pilgrim Lutheran Church, your local Red Cross and consider supporting your communities Red Cross Blood Drives.

The family would like to thank Dr. Richard Fritz and staff, Dr. Guaglianone and Dr. Minnaganti. They would like to give a special thank you to Kim, Karen and Leigh Ann at the Cancer Care Center of Decatur.