Elmer W. "Bill" Guthrie

NEPONSET – Elmer William “Bill” Guthrie, 84, of Neponset, died at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 23, 2024, peacefully at his home.

He was born October 20, 1939 in Kewanee, the only child of Elmer and Lula (Bates) Guthrie. He married Florence Seiden on June 4, 1961 in Burlington, IA. She preceded him in death on December 4, 1993. He later married Lois A. Pasvogel on December 27, 1998. Survivors include his wife of Neponset, his children; Shyla (Tim) Lipsey of East Peoria, Cheryl (Angus) McKinney of Antelope, CA, Chelese (Chris) Palmer of Sterling, IL., and Ryan Guthrie. Bill leaves behind twelve grandchildren: Skye Smith, Shaelyn (Peter) Traeger, Summer Smith, Elaina Swanson, Gabriel Swanson, Hannah Grace Swanson, Kaylen (Nathaniel) Zarembski, Micah (Monica) Palmer, Maryn Palmer, Danae Palmer, Leah Guthrie and Olivia Guthrie and three great grandchildren with 2 more on the way. He was also preceded in death by his parents.

Bill graduated from Neponset High School in 1957 and from Carthage College when it was located in Carthage, Illinois, with a degree in agriculture. He was a grain, dairy and livestock farmer and businessman for many years. He thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of farming and nature. For many years he was the president of the Neponset School Board. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Kewanee. An avid Chicago Cubs fan, he enjoyed reinventing and engineering the “perfect” baseball bat and following both history and current events. Most of all, he cherished his family and loved them dearly.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 3 at Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee, with Pastor John Reside officiating. The visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. The burial will follow at Elmira Cemetery, where he will rest beside Florence. Memorials may be directed to an agriculture scholarship that will be established in his name.

As Bill would say, “See you at the farm.”

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