Douglas E. Hoelscher, age 76, of Gladstone, Illinois, passed away at 8:35 PM on Sunday, August 27, 2023 at Monmouth Nursing Home. He was born May 6, 1947 in Macomb, Illinois, the son of Earl L. and I. Louise (Staff) Hoelscher. Doug attended school in the area and graduated from Warren High School with the Class of 1965. He later attained his Associates Degree in Fire Science after attended both Western Illinois University and Carl Sandburg College. Doug served his Country in the United States Army, being drafted in 1966. On May 17, 2013, he married Cynthia Gray and she is surviving. He was previously married to Rosemary Voyles, with whom he had two children.
After the Army, Doug worked for a time at Gates Rubber in Galesburg, Illinois. He than began a career at the Monmouth Fire Department in 1969. After a thirty-year career, after seeing many changes and advancements in the fire service, he retired in 1999 at the rank of Fire Chief. While working at the Fire Department, he also worked at Monmouth College as part of the “Green Army.” After his retirement from the Fire Department, Doug worked for Auto Zone for thirteen years until his full retirement. Doug was a member of many local organizations, including the American Legion, Monmouth Masonic Lodge #37 A.F.&A.M., Warren-Henderson Farm Bureau, and held his Amateur Radio License for several years. Doug enjoyed tinkering in his shop, and was a lover of automobiles, being known locally showing off his “Little Red Express.” He was of the Methodist Faith.
Doug is survived by his wife Cindy Gray of Gladstone, IL, two daughters; KaSandra (Larry) Gilbert of Davenport, IA and Becky (Douglas) Hart of Marietta, IL, one grandchild, Austin (Shay) Hoelscher of Jacksonville, IL, four great-grandchildren; Harper, Maira, and Theo Hoelscher of Burlington, IA, and DeClan Hoelscher of Jacksonville, IL. Also surviving Doug are his sister, Beverly Johnson of Monmouth, Illinois, sister-in-law Deb (Danny) Palmer of Gladstone, IL, brother-in-law Tim Gray of Gladstone, IL, niece Amber (Jon) Mendenhall of Roseville, IL, and three nephews; Tyler (KC) Johnson of Monmouth, IL, Dustin Palmer of Savannah, GA, and Steven Palmer of Lebanon, OR. He is preceded in death by his parents.
As were Doug’s wishes, cremation is being accorded. A memorial service for Douglas E. Hoelscher will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth, Illinois. Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 AM prior to the service at the Funeral Home. Interment will be at Brooklyn Cemetery, Brooklyn, Illinois. A memorial fund is being established for the Marion B. Fletcher Post #136 American Legion, Monmouth, Illinois. For more information, or to leave a remembrance of Doug, please visit www.turnbullfuneralhomes.com.
