George Ingalls

George Ingalls -- BradleyLifetime resident and local historian George Russell Ingalls, age 77, of Bradley, died Monday (Sept. 17, 2007) at the Illinois Veterans Home at Quincy.He was born Feb. 23, 1930, in Aroma Park, the son of Russell and Josephine Skelly Ingalls.George was an Eagle Scout and Scout Master. He worked as an upholsterer for Kroehler Mfg. Co. until 1951, when he was drafted into the U.S. Army Infantry and served as a sniper during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1953, and served in the Reserve until 1958.He owned and operated Ingalls Pizza Palace in St. Anne, along with his youngest brother, Donald Ingalls.On July 3, 1959, George married Doreen Mitchell in Kankakee. He was a member of the American Legion Post 85, the VFW Post 6502, the Bourbonnais Historical Society, and he was a founding member of the Kankakee Valley Bowhunters.George operated a small archery shop out of his home and was an accomplished archer and bowhunter. He retired as a supervisor from Gould National Battery in 1986.After his retirement George explored his lifelong passion for history by traveling the country to participate in historical re-enactments. He became particularly fond of local history and genealogy.George was able to achieve a self-taught level of knowledge that earned him great respect from his fellow historians and local scholars.He was very proud of his accomplishments and the opportunities he was given to share those accomplishments with others.George was very passionate about his family and devoted his remaining years to compiling a genealogy book that will be handed down for generations to come.His family, his friends, his community and everyone he has touched with his stories of the past are blessed to have known him. His family will deeply miss the most honorable man they will ever know.Survivors include his wife, Doreen; his daughter, Linda Ingalls of Tucson, Ariz.; his son, William Ingalls and his wife Kimberley of Quincy; two grandsons, Jared Ingalls of Peoria and Jason Ingalls of Quincy; and several nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Richard Ingalls and Donald Ingalls.Graveside services will be held Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007, at 11 a.m., in Aroma Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, at the Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home, Bourbonnais.Memorials made to the Bourbonnais Historical Society in his name would be appreciated.

George Ingalls

February 23, 1930 - September 17, 2007