Frederick Russell Vangeison passed away peacefully at 87 years old on August 1, 2024, at Springfield Memorial Hospital. He was born on October 24, 1936, the son of Earl and Marcella (Vancil) Vangeison. He married the love of his life, Elaine LeFever, on August 17, 1958. Fred is the proud father of Kay Ellen Winans and Jill Lynn Gilpin and proud grandfather to Jarred Winans of Mt. Auburn, Abby Winans of Lexington, Kentucky, Cole Gilpin of Stonington, and Jake Gilpin of Stonington. Family was everything to Fred.
Fred was a life-long farmer and owned Vangeison Heating & Plumbing. He served in the 183rd Illinois Air National Guard and was a graduate of Morrisonville High School. Fred was a member of the Taylorville First United Methodist Church, Ansar Shrine, Order of the Eastern Star, and Morrisonville Masonic Lodge #681 A.F. & A.M. where he was the oldest living Past Master. He served on the board of the Illinois Soil and Water Conservation District and was a member of the Christian County Farm Bureau. Fred enjoyed beekeeping, gardening, camping, woodworking and carving, and was a talented artist.
He is survived by his wife: Elaine Vangeison of Morrisonville; daughters: Kay Ellen (Alex) Winans of Mt. Auburn and Jill Lynn (Gerry) Gilpin of Stonington; grandchildren: Jarred, Abby, Cole, and Jake; siblings: Sandra Klein of Stonington, Mary (Jim) Daughtery of Taylorville, Debbie Kay (Phil) Svoboda of Spokane, Washington, sister-in-law: Linda Vangeison of Jenks, Oklahoma, and brother-in-law: Jim Hill of Palmer; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Earl and Marcella; sister: Sharon Ruth Hill; brothers: Harry Lee Vangeison and Roger Dale Vangeison; brother-in-law: Glenn Klein; and nephew: Samuel Levi Vangeison.
Fred will be cremated, and a visitation will be held from 10:00a.m. until 12:00p.m. on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at the First United Methodist Church in Taylorville. Masonic rites will take place at noon followed by a memorial service officiated by Pastor Brennan Hurley. Inurnment will take place at a later date at Glen Haven Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to the Taylorville FFA. McClure Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements.
