Willard G. Fugate (83) of Newton

Willard G. Fugate age 83 of Newton, Illinois passed away Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at his home.

Cremation rites will be accorded to Willard. Interment services will be held in the Woodland Cemetery, Xenia, Ohio at a later date.

Willard was born on November 9, 1939 in Xenia, Ohio, the son of John W. and Iva May (Mongold) Fugate. Willard married Linda May Garland on July 11, 1970. She survives. In his early years, Willard worked as a barber in Ohio. He moved to Humboldt, Illinois, to work with his brother at the Sun Broom Company. In 1976, Willard began working at the Newton Broom Company, continuing until his retirement in 2001. In his free time, Willard enjoyed gardening, photography and computers. He used his computer skills to restore and digitize photos, as well as videos. He enjoyed helping people save their family memories. Willard liked to work. Having a knack for building machines, he enjoyed designing and developing machinery for the factory to increase productivity and efficiency.

Willard will be loved and remember by his wife of fifty-three years, Linda Fugate of Newton; children David Fugate of Ohio, Michelle Fugate, companion Brian Brown of Jewett; Chuck Pedigo, wife Cindy of Virginia, Cindy Krugh of Ohio, Rich Fugate, wife Amy of Newton, Ava George, husband Brian of Missouri, Steve Pedigo of Indiana and Melanie Ochs, husband Barney of Newton; fifteen grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and seven brothers and sisters

Memorial contributions in honor of Willard may be made to either the American Diabetes Association or to the American Heart Association. Online condolences may be offered by clicking here.