George F. “Fred” Longacre

George F. “Fred” Longacre, 80, Ewing, Mo., passed away at 1:15 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, at Maple Lawn Nursing Home in Palmyra, Mo.

Fred was born Nov. 8, 1941, in Quincy, Ill., to Raymond I. and Annaberry Jones Longacre. He was married to Elaine Schwartz June 4, 1966, in Macomb, Ill. She survives.

Other survivors include his children, Sally Hills (Mark),  North Carolina, and Steven Longacre, Gurnee, Ill.; sister, Barbara Bentley (Raymond), Macon, Mo.; grandchildren Evan Longacre, Rebecca Hills, Stephanie Longacre, Delaney Longacre and Matthew Hills; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Fred was a man who lived with a purpose in his life, he was a lifelong farmer. A graduate of Western Illinois University, he also worked in real estate and as a Farm Credit loan officer. 

His life was dedicated to helping build and sustain the farming way of life for his family and future generations to come. He served on numerous boards and agencies to fulfill this desire. Over the years he served as former president of the Farm Bureau, on the Farm Bureau board, both local and eastern Missouri divisions, worked in soil and water conservation, helped start the Marion County Public Water District #1, served as director of Missouri Rural Electric, as a member of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, as a delegate for MFA Oil Company for 35 years, as an alumni associate for Western Illinois University, and as a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity.

Fred was baptized at the First Christian Church in Macomb, Ill.

As an avid outdoorsman, Fred could be found fishing or coyote hunting with his friends, enjoying a Chiefs, Bears or Cardinals game or taking in a relaxing game of golf. He also loved to watch WWE wrestling or reading phone books, farm stuff and newspapers. 

Fred was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend who will be missed by everyone.

A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Monday, Oct. 10, at Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel. Pastor Marty Smyser will officiate. Burial will be at Nelsonville Baptist Church Cemetery in Nelsonville, Mo.

Pallbearers will be Ken Brummett, Carl Graves, Scott Herman, Chuck Jones, Evan Longacre, Mike McKenzie, Eric Spratt and John Welandish. 

Friends and family are invited to Fred’s life celebration at a visitation that will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Monday, Oct. 10, at Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or the Salvation Army.