Everett G. Cearlock, 89, a life-long resident of Springfield, died Monday, November 3, 2014 at Villa Healthcare East in Sherman, IL.
He was born May 11, 1925, the son of Homer C. and Helen Lee Cearlock. He married his high school sweetheart, Helen L. Utinske, on January 27, 1946. They were married for 68 years when she preceded him in death in January, 2014.
Everett was a graduate of Feitshans High School and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps shortly after his graduation in 1943. He served his country in the Pacific Front until the end of WW II. After he returned home, he went to work at CILCO and remained with the company for the next 37 years before his retirement as Superintendent of the Gas Street Dept.
Everett loved being outdoors and enjoyed golfing, fishing, and playing slow pitch softball. He and Helen also loved to travel, preferring two lane roads to four lane highways. He also enjoyed playing card games of all kinds. Above all, he was a man who dearly loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and the time spent with all of them.
In addition to his wife, Helen, Everett was also preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Eileen; his step father, Roy Hackett; and his sister-in-law, Marilyn Zeman.
Surviving are his children, Bonnie (husband, Tom) Myers of Springfield, Lori (husband, Earl) Doage of Bloomington, and Mark (wife, Trenna) of Spaulding. He also leaves behind five grandchildren, Patrick (wife, Erin) Myers of Springfield, Steven (wife, Melanie) Myers of Glendale Heights, Nicholas (fiancée, Misty Ranger) Doage of Bloomington, Megan Doage of Bloomington, and Andrew Cearlock of Alton. There are also four great-grandchildren, Abigail and Alexander Myers, and Skyler and Kamden Doage. Also surviving are his brother-in-law, Bernard Zeman, two special nieces, and his many friends.
Everett also came to have a second family, his and Helen's caregivers at Villa East. There are too many names to list them all, but his children want each of them to know how much we value and will always remember the loving care they provided.
Visitation and Funeral Ceremony: Family will receive friends from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral ceremony at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, November 7, 2014 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, with Celebrant Judy Woerner officiating. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery with military honors provided by Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County.
Memorial contributions may be made to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908.
Read Everett Cearlock's Obituary and Guestbook on butlerfuneralhomes.com.