DeKalb Times

Butala Funeral Home & Crematory - Sycamore issued the following announcement.

George Frank Astling, 72, of Sycamore passed away November 19, 2018 in Sycamore after battling Parkinson's disease for 12 years.

He was born on July 7, 1946 in DeKalb County, IL. He was the son of Donald and Vera (Angel) Astling. George grew up on the family farm, and an active FFA member showing cattle at the county and state fairs. He graduated from Sycamore High School in 1964. After high school, he attended Southern Illinois University at Carbondale studying Horticulture, graduating in 1969. George married Patricia Drake in 1967. She died in 1998 and he later married Terri Schade in 2002.

George loved plants and horticulture, and during his life, his career and hobbies centered on this field. He worked for the University of Illinois School of Horticulture in Champaign and then the State of South Carolina Dept. of Agriculture. George worked for J.R. Kelly Company (horseradish), Valley Packers (sweet corn) and helped start the International Horseradish Festival in Collinsville, IL. George, a Certified Master Gardener, developed his Kingston, IL. yard into a Certified Wildlife Habitat with native plants, natural gardens, and a large vegetable garden. George was an officer at O'Hare Airport for the USDA Department of Agriculture and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

George was a member of the Collinsville Methodist Church, Sycamore Methodist Church and Mayfield Congregational Church. George was a member of the Ney Grange and the Kishwaukee Valley Heritage Society in Genoa. He taught Horticulture Classes at Kishwaukee Community College and volunteered at the Kingston Community Sharing Library.

George is survived by his loving wife Terri, his son George (Gef) II (Anna); daughter Edwina (Bob) Beckman; stepsons Chris (Missy) Schade; Trent (Maria) Schade, Jeff (Rebecca) Schade; and grandchildren, Maddie, Elly, Will, Trey, Tony, and Henry; his brother, Randy (Deborah); two sisters, Carol (Dale) Anderson and Nancy (Harold) Heitman.

He is preceded in death by his parents Donald and Vera, and his wife Patricia (Drake).

The family would like to thank the many extended family and friends who have supported us at this time, including DeKalb County Hospice and Emmanuel Kachika.

A loving husband, brother, Dad, Papa, uncle, stepfather, and dear friend. He loved his family and had a passion for horticulture and choir. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Visitation will be on Friday, Nov. 23rd from 3:00-7:00 PM at the Butala Funeral Home and Crematory, Sycamore, IL.

His funeral service will be on Saturday, Nov. 24th at 11:00 AM at the Funeral Home. Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery in Sycamore.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made for the family in care of the Butala Funeral Home and Crematory, 1405 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, IL. 60178. To sign the online guest book or write a special memory, go to www.ButalaFuneralHomes.com or call 815-895-2833.

Original source can be found here.

Source: Butala Funeral Home & Crematory - Sycamore