OREGON – Harry W. Fletcher, 77, died Friday, April 29, 2016 at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford following a sudden illness.

He was born Jan. 29, 1939, in Oregon to Joseph Lee and Isabella (Sutton) Fletcher.

He graduated from Oregon High School in 1958, where he participated in track, football, and basketball.

He married Mary Valdean Long on Aug. 6, 1960, in Oregon.

Harry worked at the Oregon Public Works Department for 10 years and then for the Byron Public Works Department for 16 years, retiring in 2005.

He was a member of the Cornerstone Family Church in Byron.

Harry was active in the Boy Scouts for 68 years, as a scout and a leader in many troops and explorer posts. As a scout, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout, and as an explorer, he earned the Silver Eagle award. As a Sea Scout, he earned the Quartermaster Award. As an adult leader, he earned the District Award of Merit and the Silver Beaver Award from the Blackhawk Area Council.

Harry was known to many for being the official starter for track and cross county meets throughout Illinois. He served as the official starter for several state championship meets.

He officiated football and basketball games, and also was a coach for the eighth-grade girls basketball teams at Rahn Elementary School in Mount Morris, boys basketball at Faith Christian in Grand Detour, and an assistant for the Oregon High School girls basketball teams.

Harry was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Robert, John, George, Frank, and Joe; four sisters, Mary, Helen, Bessie, and Ida; and a great-grandson, Kaleb Reeverts.

He is survived by his wife, Valdean, of Oregon; two daughters, Pam (Terry) Reeverts of Byron, and Paula (Jim) Potter of Loves Park; sister, Freda Engelkes of Oregon; seven grandchildren, Tim Reeverts (Sara Young), Matt (Nicole) Reeverts, Tara Reeverts (Dan Gailey), Drew Potter, Taylor Reeverts (Brandon Burke), Max Potter, and Ryan Reeverts; six great-grandchildren, Mackenzie, Conner, Corbin, Bryleigh, Ezra, and Peighton; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Farrell-Holland-Gale Funeral Home, 110 S. Seventh St., Oregon. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Cornerstone Family Church in Byron, with the Rev. Randy Snider officiating. Burial will be at the Byron Cemetery.

A memorial fund has been established in Harry’s name.

Visit farrellhollandgale.com to send condolences.