IN MEMORIAM

By Staff
Published on January 1, 1992

GLENN JOHNSON of Gibson City, Illinois died March 18, 1991 at
the age of 63. He was a farmer and mechanic in the Melvin and
Gibson City area.

Glenn attended many of the gas engine shows in Iowa, Illinois,
and Indiana and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Submitted by Dave Boomgarden, RR 1, Box 282, Chatsworth, IL
60921.

LUDWIG RACEK of Canon City, Colorado died August 21, 1991 at the
age of 89. He was born in Wullersdorf, Austria and came to the
United States when he was seven years old, living most of his life
in Wisconsin. Upon retirement he moved to the Yuma, Arizona area
and 18 years ago moved to Colorado.

As a young man he worked at the Wisconsin Tractor Co. in Sauk
City, Wisconsin, where he assembled the last of the Wisconsin
tractors.

In the middle 30’s he was instrumental in the design of a
quick change engine mounting used in the Grass-Premier cab over
engine trucks which enabled an engine change to be made in
approximately 40 minutes.

United Parcel Service wanted him to move to New York State to
build trucks for them, but he declined. His last employment prior
to retirement was as a tractor serviceman with McFarlane Implement
Co. of Sauk City. In 1986 he received a Founders Award from the
American Truck Historical Society. He will be missed by his friends
and family.

Submitted by Vern Racek, 2571 S. Birch St., Denver, Colorado
80222-6503.

MR. FRED CASTLE, 80, of Rt 5, Boone, North Carolina died June
11, 1991 at Watauga Hospital after a massive heart attack.

He was born March 16, 1911 and was a very active charter member
of Carolina Fly-Wheelers and also served as assistant
treasurer.

Survivors include his widow Madge, two sons, one daughter and
five grandchildren, two sisters, and one brother.

He was a Mason and a Deacon of Perkinsville Baptist Church. He
will be missed greatly by his family and many friends, a lot of
whom he met at antique engine and tractor shows.

Submitted by Mack Hodges, Sec. Carolina Fly-wheelers, Rt 5, Box
399, Boone, North Carolina 28607.

GEORGE E. ‘BUD’ BARTON, 81, of Aurora, Illinois passed
away April 14, 1991 at his home. He was born in Big Rock, Illinois,
the son of Frank and Ellen (Davies) Barton.

He married Ethel B. Shults in 1930. He served in the Navy during
WW II and was a past Commander & Chaplain of the Big Rock
American Legion Post. He was employed by Phillips Petroleum Co. and
Gem Oil Co. of Aurora until his retirement in 1975. He was a member
of the English Congregational Church of Big Rock, several
historical societies, the Northern Illinois Steam Power Club of
Sycamore, and was a founding member of the Sandwich Early Day
Engine Club.

Survivors include a sister, Irene Richards of Elburn, many
nieces & nephews and a host of friends from all over the
world.

Bud was a valued member of both the Sandwich and Sycamore Clubs
and was always ready to lend a helping hand to the clubs and fellow
collectors. His assistance and cheerfulness will be missed by us
all.

ALVIN S. ‘FAT’ MILLER, 82, of Sandwich, Illinois died
May 13,1991 at his home. He was born in Kendall County, Illinois,
the son of Albert Stephen Miller and Flora (Nelson) Miller
Kell.

He married Alberta Peterson in 1940. He was employed as a heavy
equipment operator for 44 years including employment with A.C. Otto
Machine Co. of Sandwich. He was a member of the United Church of
Sandwich, the Masonic Lodge Meteor 283, the Sandwich Historical
Society, the National Rifle Association, and had been a member and
former director of the Northern Illinois Steam Power Club of
Sycamore. He was recognized as the founder and first president of
the Sandwich Early Day Engine Club and was also instrumental in
starting the Antique Farm Machinery Display at the Sandwich
Fair.

Survivors include two sisters, two brothers, and many nieces and
nephews.

Fat’s leadership, guidance, and knowledge helped make our
club and show what they are today. The officers and members of the
Sandwich Early Day Engine Club dedicated the 1991 Sandwich Show to
the memory of Alvin S. Miller and George E. Barton.

LEWIS OTTO SPACH, 90, of Milan, Illinois passed away October 18,
1991. He was born in Millbrook, Illinois, the son of Michael and
Amanda (Zimmennan) Spach. He married Mabel Hart in 1937. He was
employed at Fox Valley Foundry in Aurora for 20 years, retiring in
1966, and lived in the Sandwich area for 40 years until moving to
Milan in 1985. He was a member of the Sandwich Moose Lodge #1016
for 50 years, the Northern Illinois Steam Power Club of Sycamore,
and was a charter member of the Sandwich Early Day Engine Club.

Survivors include a daughter, Cleo Johnson; a stepson, Robert P.
Grady; 6 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

The last three obituaries were sub-mined by Ray Forrer, Sec,
Sandwich Early Day Engine Club, 105 North St., Box 43, Somonauk,
Illinois 60552.

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