LaVerne Gretencord Jr.

LaVerne R. Gretencord Jr., 58, of Ottawa passed away Oct. 22, 2019, at his residence.

Memorial services will be at 5 p.m. Sunday in Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home, Ottawa. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until services Sunday.

LaVerne was born July 28, 1961, in Ottawa, a son of LaVerne Robert and Alice (Smith) Gretencord. He married Renee Highland in Ottawa. He later married Barbara Noles on May 28, 2014, also in Ottawa.

Surviving are his wife, Barbara; his children, Andrea Gretencord of Ottawa, Lacey (Justin) Foster of Dixon, and Austin Morrill of Mendota; and a grandson, Sean Foster. He also leaves a brother, Curtis (Jayme) Gretencord of Ottawa; sisters, Lori (Larry) Johnson and Tami (Kevin) Callahan of Ottawa and Dawn (Russell) Huebner of Bolingbrook. He was preceded in death by his parents.

LaVerne was the owner and operator of the family business, Gretencord Tree Service which he purchased from his parents in 1989. He was a member of the ABATE Chapter in Princeton. LaVerne had worked for the City of Ottawa where he would take care of trees as well as decorating Washington Park for the holiday season.

He enjoyed motorcycles, boating and fishing. LaVerne was a very talented craftsman who could build most anything. He was a very caring and generous man who was always willing to help anyone in need. He cherished time spent with his family and numerous friends.

Memorials may be directed to the family who will make a contribution in LaVerne’s name at a later date.

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