Almer T. Gliddon

NAME Almer T. Gliddon, age 92, of Sugar Grove, formerly of Elburn, passed away in the early morning hours of Saturday, October 03, 2009 at Tiller’s Heath Care Center, Oswego, IL. BORN: He was born August 5, 1917, the son of Albert and Bertha (Leitner) Gliddon in Hampshire, IL. EARLY YEARS:Almer’s dad drove truck for Standard Oil while Almer attended and graduated from local schools in 1935. At the same time Almer worked at the local pharmacy owned and operated by George Wilcox. As luck would have it, George had a daughter Margaret, and before long she caught the Almer’s attention as well as his heart. The high school sweet hearts took their love to the alter as they walked down the aisle as Mr. and Mrs. Almer Gliddon on November 27, 1941. They made their home in Hampshire, but one year later Almer answered his country’s call and enlisted in the United States Navy. MILITARY: He served his country during WWII as a Pharmacist Mate, eventually traveling to Okinawa, Japan as part of a Fleet Hospital. The war ended shortly after his arrival and Almer returned to his bride and civilian life in late 1945. OCCUPATION / WORK HISTORY:They made their home in Hampshire for a time before moving to Elburn where he and Margaret purchased the Hoffman Drug Store in Elburn in 1946. The legacy of Gliddon’s Drug Store continued after Margaret’s passing in February of 1982 when Almer sold the store to his daughter Mary E. and her husband Ken Gustafson. He remained active as a pharmacist until April 1st, 1988 and even then continued to work as a clerk until his 75th birthday. Almer found love once again and married Ann (Wilkison) Goetz on January 15th 1994. Despite the frigid temperature of negative 26 degrees, Almer and Ann made warm memories that day and for more than fifteen years afterward. MEMBERSHIPS: Almer was no stranger to serving his community not only through his drug store, but through many service and veteran organizations as well, receiving prestigious awards and honors throughout the years. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Batavia Post 1197, Navy League of the United States, Voiture Local # 592, 40 and 8 in Kane and Kendall Counties, as well as lifetime member and Past Commander for both of the Elburn American Legion, Post 630 and the Kane County Council of the American Legion. Almer was a member of the Illinois Pharmaceutical Association, National Association of Retail Druggists, and the American Pharmaceutical Association. He was a long time member, present Corresponding Secretary and former president of the Chicago Veteran Druggists Association, honorary member of the Milwaukee Veteran Pharmacists Association and member of the Navy League. Almer served his local community through the Elburn Business Council, on the Board of the Village of Elburn and was a Republican Precinct Committeeman of Blackberry Township. He was a lifetime member for both the Masonic Lodge of Genoa (formerly Hampshire) and Elburn Lions Club where he was a recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award. Almer also a former member of the Board of Governors, the Men’s Foundation of Community Hospital and later a charter member of the Delnor-Community Healthcare Foundation Pillar Society. Almer served as secretary of the Treasury for the Elburn Unit of the Salvation Army, past president of the Benevolent Order of Youthful Seniors of the Tri-Cities and last but not least, he was a member of the "Die Hard" Cub Fan Club. LIFE NOTES: Almer was a giving soul and would never hesitate to lend a hand to anyone, including the children who walked into his drug store without enough money to buy candy. They may have come in empty handed, but they always left with a pocketful and a smile. He also feed the sweet tooth of both the young and the old while holding court behind the soda fountain, serving up root beer floats and vanilla Cokes for many years. Many of those children also came back looking for their first job and Almer was only too happy to bring another young person into the "family fold". Anyone who passed through the door was met with a warm greeting and a smile that always left you with a feeling that you were part of his family. When he wasn’t working or serving his community, Almer was serving up winning hands in Poker with friends, rooting for the Green Bay Packers and traveling to Arizona in the spring to bleed "Cubbie Blue" and cheer on the Cubs during spring training. Almer’s love of family, community and country all combined to make unique memories that will last for generations. SURVIVORS: He now leaves his loving wife Ann Gliddon of Sugar Grove, IL;Three children:Mary (Ken) Gustafson of Elburn and Steve Gliddon of Elburn and Ethel (Bill) Cole of Manteno, IL;Five grandchildren:Eric Gustafson of Wheaton, IL, Jon Gustafson of Elburn, IL, Jacklyn (Bruce) Campbell and their children, Logan and Timothy, of Yorkville, ILDiana (Howard) Bentley and their children Erica and Elizabeth of Concord, NC and Tom Cole of Salisbury, NC;Sister-in-law, Mavis Bell of DeKalb, IL, Many nieces and nephews and a countryside of friends. PRECEDED:He now joins his parents, his first wife Margaret, and two brothers, Percy and Leroy Gliddon who preceded him in death. VISITATION / FUNERAL Visitation will be from 3-7p.m., Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 at the Community Congregational United Church of Christ, Elburn with a funeral service to celebrate his life to follow at 7:30 p.m. Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Dire, pastor of the church, will officiate and private graveside service will be held at a later date following cremation. MEMORIAL In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in his name to benefit his favorite charities. Checks may be made to the "Almer Gliddon Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be from 3-7p.m., Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 at the Community Congregational Church of Elburn with a funeral service to celebrate his life to follow at 7:30 p.m. Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Dire, pastor of the church, will officiate.

Private graveside service will be held at a later date following cremation.