Garlan “Gar” R. Leadbetter, 81, of Chatham passed away surrounded by his family, on Friday, November 24, 2023, at Memorial Hospital, Springfield.
Gar was born June 4, 1942, in Galesburg. He was the son of Raymond and Marian (House) Leadbetter. He married Reva Beard on December 7, 1974 in Kewanee. Together, they celebrated 49 years of marriage. Surviving Gar are his wife, children: Tim (Sunda) Leadbetter of London Mills, Debbie Frye (Dennis England) of Franklin Kentucky, Donna (Bruce) Hardy of Milan, Lori (Joe) Rafferty of Oneida and Dan (Kristen) Leadbetter of Chatham; 14 grandchildren, Mark, Kindra, Joey, Jessica, Candyce, Dennis, William, Emmett, Emily, Chelsea, Curtis, Kenzie, Alice and Charlotte; 12 great-grandchildren, and 1 great- great- grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son Mark, and in-laws Weston and Charlotte Beard.
Gar was a graduate of Galesburg Highschool Class of 1960. He attended Black Hawk East and Western Illinois University where achieved a degree in computer science. He worked many occupations from Gates Rubber Company, a police officer, farm truck driver, and went on to retire from Caterpillar after working on assembly line and serving as a Union Steward to finally as a computer manager in 2000. Gar played guitar and sung lead vocals for many different bands, his favorite to play was blue grass. He loved music and is “jammin” with his pals up in Heaven. He also loved playing cards, motorcycles, roller skating, camping and grilling. He was a huge NHRA Racing fan. Gar was always seen with a cup of coffee. Gar was a caring guy, who took care of and was a dad to anyone. He never knew a stranger and even made friends with a rattle snake. He was dearly loved by everyone and will be greatly missed.
Cremation rites have been accorded. A celebration of life is planned for 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, December 16, 2023, at Hurd-Hendricks Fellowship Hall in Knoxville. A burial of cremated remains will be held at the Knoxville Cemetery on a later date. Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes and Crematory, Knoxville will be assisting the family with arrangements. Memorials may be donated to the Shriner’s Children Hospital or to the Chatham Fire Department. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com.
