Willard G. Sammons

Willard G. Sammons, 94 of Geneseo, passed away surrounded by family on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. Funeral services will be held at noon on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at Vandemore Funeral Home & Crematory, Geneseo Chapel. Pastor John Bode will officiate. The service will be livestreamed at www.vandemorefuneralhome.com/live-stream. Burial will follow at Ebenezer Cemetery in rural Geneseo, where military honors will be accorded by Geneseo VFW Post 5083. Trumpeter: Olivia Diericks. The visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. before the funeral service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorials to be directed to the Honor Flight of the Quad Cities (www.honorflightqc.org) or the Henry County Meals on Wheels (Kewanee).

Willard was born on March 18, 1931, the son of Herbert and Selina (VanDeWalle) Sammons on a farm located south of Wessington, SD. He attended grade school at Sand Creek and graduated from Virgil High School in 1949, both in South Dakota. His school days were memorable times that he cherished and loved to share stories about. Willard was united in marriage to Yvonne I. Maranville on June 12, 1955, at Ebenezer Church, rural Geneseo. He always said it was the happiest day of his life. She preceded him in death on June 28, 2018.

He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War (1951-1953). Willard farmed in Phenix Township from 1959 until 1982 and later became farm manager for Sieben Hybrids farm until his retirement in 1996. He was a dedicated farmer, veteran, and community member.

Willard was very active in Ebenezer Church. He held roles as Sunday School teacher, superintendent, and church treasurer. Singing the old gospel hymns brought him such joy.

He also served as a Phenix Township trustee from 1979 to 2005 and was a director on the Farmers Mutual Electric Company board.

With his great appreciation for wood, his creative spirit soared, and he began making wooden bowls and toys to share with others. No project was complete until it had “Made in Phenix Twp., IL. WGS” stamped on the bottom and a penny in the center of the year it was made. Many relaxing retirement days were spent, and happy memories were made in his woodshop.

Willard loved special times spent with his family, neighbors, and playing cards with friends.

Good times were always had fishing with his grandchildren and attending their activities. In his spare time, he enjoyed reading, especially Louis L’Amour books.

Grateful for sharing his life and left to cherish his memory are children, Robyn (Bob) Nelson of Colona, Yvette (Andy) Raschke of Geneseo, Gloria (Scott) Yates of Rock Island and Gordon (Anne) Sammons of Geneseo; grandchildren, Lance (Christy) Nelson, Nathan (Amanda) Raschke, Nicholas (Lindsey) Raschke, Jeremy (Kristin) Raschke, Christian (Mackenzie) Sammons, Evan (Chelsea) Sammons, Erik, Will and Cy Sammons; great-grandchildren, Sydney, Sadie and Tate Nelson, Ava, Noelle and Reid Raschke, Jason Raschke and Leo Raschke; sister, Darlene Holland of Prophetstown; many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Selina Sammons; wife, Yvonne Sammons; sister and brother-in-law, Helen and Kenneth King; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Sheila Sammons; and brother-in-law, Dale Holland.