Albert L. Garber

He was born October 5, 1921 near Emden, Illinois. He was the youngest son of Oscar and Florence (Parlier) Garber. He married Muriel Gresham in 1949 in Eureka, Illinois, she survives. He is preceded in death by his parents and six brothers and six sisters.

Albert graduated from San Jose High School in 1940, worked at Caterpillar in Peoria. He received his Bachelors and Masters degrees from Illinois State University and did advanced courses from other universities. He taught in Springfield Public Schools for thirty-two years.

Albert served in the US Navy in World War II. He was awarded the American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with one silver and four bronze stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one bronze star, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, the Navy Good Conduct Medal, the Navy Occupation SVC Medal with Asia Clasp, and the Honorable Service Lapel Button.

He was a member of the Illinois Retired Teachers Association, the U.S.S. Iowa Battleship Association. He was a member of the crew which escorted President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Chief of Staff to Africa and return as a portion of their conference with Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin in Teheran. He was a past Elder of First Christian Church of Springfield. He was a charter member of the WWII Memorial and a member of the Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. and Illinois State World War II Memorial at Oakridge in Springfield.

He is survived by his daughters Gwen and her husband David Martens of Atwood, IL, Lisa and her husband Greg Reis of Springfield and Laurel Garber and her husband Stanton Gralnick, one grandchild Anne Reis and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the First Christian Church on 6th St. in Springfield.

Visitation will be Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at Bisch Funeral Home 2931 S. Koke Mill Rd. Springfield, IL. from 4 pm to 7 pm and again Thursday, December 30, 2010 from 10 am to 11 am where funeral services will follow on Thursday, December 30, 2010 at 11am with Reverend Rick Irwin officiating. Burial will follow at Oakridge cemetery in Springfield.

Albert will be truly missed by all who loved him. His life was an example for all people of good faith.