John William Loy Sr.

John William Loy Sr. of Turlock died Oct. 10. He was 85.

Loy was born on the family farm in Jersey County, Illinois on Feb. 28, 1930, one of three sons born to Frank F. and Lula Mae (Day) Loy. He grew up in Jersey County and attended Medora High School.

He enlisted with the U.S. Air Force and served honorably for four years serving in France during the Korean War. He was discharged from Camp Parks, California, and soon found employment with the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, California.

He spent the remainder of his adult life in California, but never lost his roots to Jersey County. After retiring in 1988 after 32 years of service, he remained with the company for another five years as a consultant. Loy loved people and making new friends, so it only seemed natural that he would become a greeter at the Walmart in Ceres.

He married Diane M. Luebke on Feb. 6, 1994 in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. She retired that same year, allowing the two of them to enjoy the last 20 years of retirement together, traveling in their RV six months of the year, and remaining in California the other six months.

While traveling, they developed a hobby of 'grave walking', stopping at cemeteries along the way, taking pictures of tombstones, which they posted on the website "Find A Grave." They found enjoyment in knowing that they were helping others who might live many miles away from their loved ones final resting place. Their travels every year always included a stop in Illinois to visit relatives and friends. In his spare time, Loy also found a way to enjoy a Nascar race or two.

Loy is survived by his wife, Diane M. Loy of Turlock, California; daughter Barbara Loy of North Highlands, California; son John "Jack" (Trudi) Loy Jr. of Arlington, Texas.; three grandchildren, Bryan Loy, Rachel Loy, and Sarah (Ed) Green; brother Delbert Loy of Jerseyville, Illinois; sister in law Dorothy Loy of Jerseyville, Illinois; along with many nieces, nephews and numerous friends.

In addition to his parents, Loy was preceded in death by a brother, Wilbur Loy; a sister in law, Esther Loy; a nephew, Frank Loy; and two great nephews, Bradley Walker and Daniel Walker.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville, where funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Father William Hembrow will officiate.

Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville, where the Jerseyville American Legion Post 492 will conduct military graveside rites.

Memorials may be given to the Jersey County Historical Society.