Earl Ford “Braz” Gisinger

ARGENTA, Ill. — Earl Ford “Braz” Gisinger, 93, of Argenta, passed away at 9:15 p.m. on July 22, 2012 at Heartland Health Care Center, Decatur, Ill.

A visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, at Calvert Funeral Home, Argenta. Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday at Calvert’s, in Argenta.

Memorials may be made to Malawi Well Project through the Argenta Presbyterian Church or to Heifer International Project.

Earl was born on June 17, 1919 in Argenta, Ill. oldest child of Earl Gisinger and Myrtle (Ford) Gisinger. He married Etta LaVerne Wantland on November 27, 1946, in Clinton, Ill. She passed away on August 8, 2006.

Survivors include children Linda Gisinger, Argenta; Loretta (Tom) Reed, Oreana, Ill., and Lura (Danny) Weatherford, Oreana; five grandchildren Heather Reed, Oreana; Heidi (Ken) Schaub, Weldon, Ill.; James (Kelley) Reed, Evansville, Ind.; Andrew Weatherford and wife Josie Luedke; Evan (Danielle) Weatherford, Evansville, Ind.; two great- grandsons Gavin and Dylan; sister Martha South, Edwardsville, Ill., six nieces and nephews; four step-great- grandchildren and five step-great- great- grandchildren.

His parents and three brothers Noel, Sam and John preceded him in death.

Earl was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII (1941-1945). He graduated from Argenta High School in 1939. He held various jobs, including at A&O Grain Co. and R.K. Rolofson’s, working in the garage and also driving a school bus. He later worked at the Decatur Signal Depot until its closing and then transferred to the Joliet Arsenal. In 1965, he was able to transfer to Chanute Air Force Base, in Rantoul, where he worked until his retirement in 1990. He enjoyed piddling and tinkering and was always able to make something from nothing. He also enjoyed collecting claw hammers and old tools.

Online condolences may be emailed to www.calvertmemorial.com.