George L. Egger II

WASHINGTON- George L. Egger II, 62, of Washington, passed away on Monday evening at Unity Point Health Methodist in Peoria, Illinois. George was born on September 8, 1954 in Elgin, Illinois at St. Joseph Hospital to George W. and M. Marjorie Boehm Egger, originally of Columbus, Ohio. They lived in Arlington Heights, Illinois until George L. was 8, and then moved to Palatine, Illinois where George completed his high school years. He then attended Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry in 1976. George was employed at Caterpillar for 30 years, retiring in 2010. During that time, he was a professional “trouble-shooter”, dealing with lubrication and remediation. One of his proudest achievements was his participation in the development of what is now downtown East Peoria. He was highly sought after as a Consultant and Presenter in the years that followed his retirement. He met Nancy Short when a friend introduced them, and they married on April 29, 1989. Together they have laughed, and loved, and enjoyed life and each other. George is survived by his bride of 27 years, Nancy S Egger; younger brother, Paul Egger of Lenexa, Kansas; sisters, Lynne (Bruce) Terry of Sonora, California, Marlene (Larry Stewart) Egger Salt Lake City, Utah, Leigh Egger of Silvis, Illinois, Adriene J. Egger of Davenport, Iowa and Ardyce (Patrick) Clements of Onalaska, Wisconsin, Sandy (Dan) Young of Hondo, Texas, Greg (Joyce) Short Bailey’s Harbor, Wisconsin, Holly (Jerry) Cole of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin; aunts, Joann F. Kingsley and Teresa R. Coyle; as well as beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, with whom he who loved to play “Hide-and-Go-to-Sleep”. George was a man of strong passions, and a love of learning. He had a lifelong love of, and affinity for, Mother Earth, studied, practiced and taught alchemy, and many of his friends knew him as “dirt”. Whatever he loved, he was happy to share with those who were dear to him, and he did so cheerfully and in depth. His hobbies included wine-making, gardening, geology, cooking, alchemy, hunting, fishing, and mushrooming. He also taught jewelry-making, and was active in the Peoria Academy of Science’s Geology Group. He was preceded in death by his parents, one younger sister, his grandparents, aunts and uncles on both sides and two beloved cousins, as well as numerous friends - both human and animal. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Peoria Academy of Science, Geology Section. A funeral service for George will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2016 at 1:00 P.M. at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington. There will be a visitation two hours prior to the service, from 11:00 A.M.- 1:00 P.M. Cremation rites will be accorded following services. George’s memorial website is available at www.deitersfuneralhome.com, where online condolences may also be sent to the family.

George L. Egger II

September 8, 1954 - October 10, 2016