George A. Logan

ROCK FALLS – George A. Logan passed away peacefully at home on Monday, May 14, 2018, surrounded by his immediate family.

George was born July 8, 1927, in Rock Falls, the son of Ernest O. and Mary (Smith) Logan. He graduated in 1945 from Rock Falls High School, and was a lifelong resident of Rock Falls. Upon graduation, George joined the Army and served during World War II from 1945 to 1947. He was a member of Headquarters Company of the War Department at Fort Myer, Virginia, and worked in both the War Department and the Pentagon. He was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant, T3. George married his high school sweetheart, Patricia “Pat” Ryan on April 3, 1946, in Washington, D.C. He is survived by two children, George (Linda) Logan Jr. and Kimberly (Anthony) Poci, both of Rock Falls; three grandchildren, Heather (Andrew) Klingsporn of Duluth, Minnesota, Leslie Spangler of Rock Falls and Ryan (Kristi) Logan of Duluth; and eight great-grandchildren. George also is survived by one niece, Jacqui Strader and her daughter of Sterling; and one nephew, Joseph (Sheila) Ryan and family of Evergreen Park. He had a faithful cat, Fanny.

George was employed by the City of Rock Falls Fire Department for 35 years, 2 years paid-on-call and 33 full time. He retired as chief of the department in 1988. He then went to work for the State of Illinois – Office of the Fire Marshal in the Division of Petroleum & Chemical Safety. He retired in 1992.

George was a life member and a past president and past lieutenant governor of Rock Falls Optimist Club. He was a life member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the Illinois Professional Firefighters Association; a 42-year member of Illinois Fire Chiefs Association; a member of the Rock Falls American Legion; and a longtime member of Rock Falls Methodist Church.

George was active in many civic functions. He served on the board of United Way, and in 1984, was co-chairman of its annual event. He headed the Rock Falls Civic Fund for several years. He was honored by Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce as a recipient of the Shoulder to the Wheel Award in 1984, and Meritorious Service Award in 2016. He was twice appointed to the Illinois Fire Advisory Board by Gov. Jim Thompson. He and the Logan family were instrumental in the founding of Logan Park, and worked with the Coloma Township Park Board to make improvements. George was appointed acting Whiteside County coroner from 1953 to 1956, and was an appointed member of Whiteside County Board for 2 years. He was elected to the positions of assistant supervisor of Coloma Township, justice of the peace, and constable in earlier years.

George loved to fish, hunt, work in the yard and play cards. He made several memorable fishing and hunting trips to Canada and Minnesota.

George was preceded in death by his wife, Pat; his parents; and three brothers, Ralph, William and Ellsworth.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at McDonald Funeral Home in Rock Falls. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at McDonald Funeral Home in Rock Falls, with Solomon Sudhakar, pastor of Rock Falls United Methodist Church officiating, and fire department honors. Burial with military and fire department honors will be at Riverside Cemetery in Sterling.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Rock River Hospice & Home.

Visit mcdonaldfuneralhomes.com to send condolences.