Edgar Urish

Edgar Urish, 102, of rural Mt. Sterling, IL passed away September 21, 2021. Born in rural Tazewell County, IL during the Spanish Flu pandemic, on October 29, 1918, to Harry and Anna Jibben Urish, he was the first of four children. Edgar and his brother and sister rode their horse Babe to attend the one room Meixsell schoolhouse. Edgar was a graduate of Green Valley High where he ran track and played drums in the band.  He also attended Peoria Business School.

He grew up during the depression era when” Brother can you spare me a dime” was the slogan. His memory of that time included helping his Uncle John Jibben sell home grown cantaloupe for five cents each and eating lard sandwiches.  It was on Green Valley’s sand prairie where Edgar developed an avid interest in gardening.

After the Depression ended and World War II began, Edgar enlisted in the U.S. Army.  While home on leave he met his future wife, Fannie Nafziger. They were married May 29, 1943 in Barstow, California. Edgar came home to Fannie after serving his tour of duty in the Pacific and they began their life together.

To this union were born five children, Dana Briggs of Mt. Sterling, Il, Paul (Gail), of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Joe (Sharon) of St. Louis, MO, Joan (Richard) of Plainfield, IL and Jeff (Jennifer) of Creve Coeur, Mo.  They were blessed with seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.  

Edgar’s employment included LeTourneau’s, Moormans and Purina Chow, as well as farming in Brown County.  Once retired, Edgar honed his passion for gardening and began selling at local farmer’s markets. His favorite crops were potatoes, okra, green beans, and gladiolas. He and Fannie would save a couple of weeks each winter to visit family in Florida.

Edgar liked rock hunting and loved playing dominoes.  He also liked to hunt rabbits with beagles, and squirrels, and deer.  He enjoyed reading a good book. When Fannie became ill, he could be found sitting beside her nursing home bed, reading aloud to her.  After Fannies’ death in 2016, Edgar remained in his home and continued to enjoy a lifelong interest of reading. 

 Edgar was preceded in death by Fannie, his wife of 73 years. Also preceding him were his parents, sister Alma Brownfield and brothers:  Lyman, and Adam, who was lost in the Pacific theater on the U.S. Underhill in WW II, and grandson Troy Lee Briggs.  

The visitation will be held at 9:00am with funeral services at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday September 28, 2021 at the Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling, IL with Pastor Charla Meyers officiating. 

Friends may also watch a live steam of the funeral services and leave a condolence  on Edgar’s obituary page of the funeral home website at www.hendrickerfuneralhome.com.

 Graveside services and burial with military honors will be at the Green Valley Cemetery in Green Valley, Illinois at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

Due to Covid 19, please mask and social distance if possible.

Memorials are suggested for Brown County Public Library and Mt. Sterling First Baptist Church. 

The Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt.Sterling, Illinois is assisting the family with the arrangements.

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