Samuel L Splear

Samuel “Sam” Splear, 69, of Geneseo, passed away on Saturday, April 10, 2021, from complications due to Alzheimer’s / Dementia.  Calling hours will be from 5:00 – 7:00 pm on Thursday, April 15, 2021, at Vandemore Funeral Home, Atkinson.  A Recitation of the Rosary will begin promptly at 4:30 pm prior to visitation.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am on Friday, April 16, 2021 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Atkinson, IL.  Father Zorjan will officiate.  Burial will follow at St. Anthony’s Catholic Cemetery, Atkinson.  Memorials may be made to Heartland Hospice, Moline, IL and St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Colona, IL.

Sam was born on November 28, 1951, in Geneseo IL, the son of Charles Splear and Dorothy (Widger) Armstrong.  He married the love of his life, Lorraine “Lorrie” Robertson, on May 23, 2009, at Muzzy Chapel, Geneseo.  Sam graduated from JD Darnall High School in the class of 1969.  He attended Iowa State University and graduated from Western Illinois University with a degree in business.  He was employed by John Deere, starting in 1971 as a welder.  He worked his way up to supervisor.  Then Sam went to HR & Development.  Sam retired in June of 2011 from John Deere Corporate.

Sam won many awards in public speaking.  He started the first Toastmasters Chapter at John Deere.  He traveled across the country giving motivational speeches in his free time.  While at John Deere, Sam was very active with the United Way and also served on the board for the Child Abuse council.  Sam was active with Richmond Hill Players in Geneseo and Playcrafters Barn Theater in Moline.  Sam volunteered in many classrooms with Junior Achievement.

After retirement, Sam was employed as a substitute teacher in the Geneseo schools K-12.  In his free time, Sam loved to rebuild cars and attend coin auctions.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Lorrie Splear, Geneseo; daughter, Taunya (Shawn) McGee, Geneseo; son, Tobias “TJ” (Michelle) Splear, Geneseo; stepson, Anthony “Tony” Nelson, Denver, CO; mother, Dorothy Armstrong, Geneseo; sister, Jeanette Dewitt, Atkinson; grandchildren, Abbigail, Hannah, and Rachel McGee, Kaden, Bryson, and Mya Splear, all of Geneseo, and Gabriel Nelson, Dixon, IL; and nephew, Roman (Jennifer) Verbeck, Boone, IA.

He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Splear; and his grandparents.