Glennon L. Morton, 81, Peoria, passed away Feb. 5, 2021, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center.
He was born Dec. 22, 1939, to Lawrence and Rheua (Lamb) Morton in Chamois.
He was united in marriage to Gertrude “Trudy” Hausner June 22, 1968 in Naperville, Ill.
Glen was born in the family home in Chamois and was named after the then Bishop of St. Louis, Bishop Glennon. He attended grade and high school in Chamois. In high school, he selected every science and math course offered. He was the class emcee for plays, and he helped his father on the farm.
At the age of seventeen, Glen attended the University of Missouri (Columbia) where he earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering and was then commissioned a U.S. Army Officer as a 2nd Lieutenant. While waiting to enter the Army he worked in the GM assembly plant in Kansas City.
After 27 months of Army service he returned to the University of Missouri where he earned a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering and was then employed by Caterpillar Inc. in Peoria, Ill. where he worked his entire career including a two-and-half-year overseas assignment in Brussels, Belgium testing Caterpillar’s first Hydraulic Excavator.
Glen was an inventor and an engineer’s engineer. Having grown up on a farm, Glen knew how things worked, why they broke, and how to fix them with flair and ingenuity. He was happiest in his career at Caterpillar developing, testing and configuring new products.
He started work with Caterpillar at the Proving Grounds, worked as a specialist in the Power Train business, and was instrumental as a product expert in Caterpillar’s early Rail and Oil & Gas Frac Rigs.
Glen is survived by wife, Trudy; daughters, Ann Fulton and husband Bill of Peoria Heights, Ill., Sara O’Reilly and husband Justin of Oak Park, Ill. and Linda Studeny and husband Michael of Denver, Colo.; brother, Charles “Charlie” Morton and wife Frances of Bloomington, Ill.; sister, Patricia “Pat” Mehmert of Chamois; grandchildren, Madeline, Will and Ryan Fulton, Imogen and Fergus O’Reilly and Cora and Hyde Studeny.
Glen was one-of-a-kind, which was widely acknowledged by all who had the privilege of knowing him. He knew no strangers and was known by all as a friendly, engaging, larger-than-life personality who knew of no problem he couldn’t solve, no gadget he couldn’t tinker with, and no political conversation he could leave without providing his two cents. His fashion sense was also much beloved and enjoyed by many. He was also a devoted Catholic who made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land on his own to appreciate and deepen his faith. Despite being a country boy at heart, he was also an avid world traveler and loved visiting the big cities of the world as much as he loved being down on the family farm.
Glen had an incredible memory and was a great storyteller. His stories were always warm and vivid, accurately recalling every detail from the people he was with, to the exact date and time and what the weather was like that day. His stories were rich, funny and flattering, remembering the best about all the people and places he experienced.
Glen was an active member of the Peoria community generously donating his time and energy to the St. Thomas Garage Sale, the Food Pantry, and Sophia’s Kitchen. He actively supported local politics and served on the board of the Bailey’s Creek Cemetery in Chamois.
Above all Glen loved his family and they loved him dearly. He was incredibly close to his brother and sister his entire life. He was immensely proud of his three girls, #1, #2, and #3 as he affectionately called them, and they referred to themselves as such with equal enthusiasm, and his grandchildren. Glen was present and engaged at all of his grandchildren’s special events. Glen will be sorely missed as his family cherished every bit of their time with him.
Visitation was held Monday, Feb. 8, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church with recitation of the Rosary at 7 p.m. Further visitation will be half an hour prior to the funeral Mass Tuesday. A funeral Mass was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church with Msgr. Jason Gray officiating.
Interment was in Bailey’s Creek Cemetery in Chamois.
Memorial contributions suggested to St. Thomas Parish.
Arrangements entrusted to Wright & Salmon Mortuary, in Peoria, Ill.
Friends are encouraged to share their favorite Glen story and may sign the online guestbook or send condolences to www.wrightandsalmon.com
