Gary L. Bradford, 82, of Sparland died at 2 p.m. Sept. 10, 2023, at his home.Gary L. Bradford, 82, of Sparland died at 2 p.m. Sept. 10, 2023, at his home.
He was born Feb. 10, 1941, a son of Jack Lawrence Bradford and Helen Francis Lee Spencer Bradford in Bardolph. He married Carol Elaine Weaver on Nov. 24, 1962. She preceded him in death.
He also was preceded in death by his younger siblings, Jerry Lynn Bradford and Donna Kay Gibboney; and his youngest son, Shane Dolphin Bradford.
Surviving are his two children, Shawn (and Donna Butcher) Bradford of Abingdon and Shan Bradford Waid of Galesburg; five grandchildren, Christen (and Brian) Parks of Table Grove, Colten (and Libby Bair) Bradford of Springfield, Jordan (and Jenna Tranell) Bradford of Tulsa, Okla., Emmaline Waid of Plainfield and Lucy Waid of Galesburg; and two great-grandchildren.
He graduated from Bardolph High School in 1959. He went on to further his education at Western Illinois University in Macomb, graduating in 1965 with a Bachelors degree in Education. He taught industrial arts and building trades at Mattoon High School and at VIT High School in the early years. He also coached at VIT High School. He then went on to farm and owned a construction company while raising his young family. He retired as a field engineer representative on large projects such as prisons, jails, high schools and federal buildings.
Memorials may be made to the Playground Fund at Vermont Christian Church, 100 W 3rd St., Vermont, IL 61484.
Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to www.shawgomemorialhome.com.
Current Obituaries in the Astoria South Fulton Argus