GLENN W. SUNDERLAND AGE 92

Glenn W. Sunderland, formerly of Washington, IL and Newton, IL, passed away on June 7, 2018, at Brookdale Senior Living, Urbana, IL, at age 92.

Glenn was born on December 28, 1925 to Glenn H. and Sarah (Taylor) Sunderland, in Olney, IL, and grew up in Newton, IL. He married Rose M. Sunderland on June 24, 1951, in Charleston, IL.

Glenn was preceded in death by his wife, Rose, who died in November, 2017.

Surviving are Glenn's sons John (Libby) Sunderland of Mazama, WA, and Bill (Krista) Sunderland of Champaign, IL; two grandchildren, Sara and Gloria Sunderland; and his sister Nita Sunderland of Washington, IL.

Glenn earned a bachelor's degree in Naval Science from Duke University, Durham, NC, and a master's degree in American History from Eastern Illinois University, Charleston. He owned and operated Sunland Hatchery in Newton for thirty years. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and later served as commanding officer of Navy Reserve Division 9-51 in Terre Haute, Indiana. He retired with the rank of Commander, U.S. Navy Reserve. Glenn also was a partner with his sister Nita and others in Sunderland Associates, a sculpture restoration business in Peoria, IL, for ten years.

Glenn authored two books of Civil War history: Wilder's Lightning Brigade and their Spencer Repeaters and Five Days to Glory, as well as articles in magazines such as Civil War Times Illustrated.

Later in life, Glenn also took up running and celebrated his 60 ^th birthday by running from Metamora to Washington, IL, where a friend played bagpipes to celebrate Glenn crossing the "finish line." This happy experience led Glenn to take up the highland bagpipes, and he became a long-time member of the Celtic Cross Pipes and Drums. He participated in dozens of parades, concert performances, and competitions. He also served as a volunteer instructor to more than 30 beginning pipers of all ages, many of whom went on to join the pipe band.

Glenn enjoyed attending operas at the Peoria Area Civic Center and supporting Rose's participation in the Peoria Area Civic Chorale. Glenn and Rose loved traveling to Washington state to visit son John and his wife Libby for hiking and skiing in the Cascade mountains. They also made frequent trips to Champaign to spend time with their granddaughters.

Glenn loved collecting antiques, and for a few years, Glenn and Rose stocked and maintained sales booths in antique malls in the Peoria area.

Glenn and Rose joined First Federated Church in Peoria and enjoyed worship and fellowship there for many years. In 2012, they moved to Brookdale Senior Living in Urbana, IL, where they benefitted from the caring and attentive staff. After moving, Glenn and Rose were frequent attenders at McKinley Memorial Presbyterian Church in Champaign.

Glenn instilled in his children a love of history, poetry, cooking, and football. Glenn was a skilled home cook, and he enjoyed preparing special menus for holidays. He also shared fun times in the kitchen cooking with his granddaughters.

Glenn was friendly and talkative and never met a stranger. Glenn had opinions about everything and loved discussions. He was an avid reader and almost any subject fascinated him, as long as it was non-fiction. He was a lifelong learner.

A memorial service celebrating the lives of Glenn and Rose Sunderland will be held at First Federated Church in Peoria, IL on Thursday, June 28, 2018.  Visitation is from 5:00 to 5:45 PM. with service to follow at 6:00 p.m. A special visitation also will be held at Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, IL on Saturday, June 30, 2018, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM followed by a private burial.  The obituary can be viewed and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family suggests making a memorial contribution to the First Federated Church, 3601 N. Sheridan Rd., Peoria, IL 61604, or to the Celtic Cross Pipes and Drums c/o Paul Shannon, 203 South Street, Hudson, IL 61748.