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Noel Feather Obituary
Born: April 11, 1935; Fairfield
Died: January 6, 2021; Rock Falls
ROCK FALLS – Noel Albert Feather Jr., 84, of Rock Falls, IL, passed away peacefully January 6, 2021, surrounded by his family.
The eldest son of Noel Sr. and Opal (Lamb) Feather, Noel was born April 11, 1936, in Fairfield, IL, the family then moving to Sterling, IL, where he spent most of his life. In later years, he and his wife Sue wintered in Florida. He retired from Northwestern Steel and Wire after 30 years.
Noel was an avid sportsman and bowhunter. He spent many years honing his skills and providing guidance to other hunters. The author of "Battling Bucks," and the host of a multitude of hunting instructional videos, Noel pioneered a method of antler rattling and deer calls used to this day by deer hunters. He guided many hunts over the years, and his own hunts took him as faras Africa, Russia and Alaska. He also loved horses, training and trading many over the years, and loved to fish.
He was a family man, who enjoyed his large family every chance he had. Christmas Eve parties, barbeques and family dinners were always raucous, joyful affairs. He loved country music and Westerns. Old Marshal Dillon never knew a better friend; there wasn't an episode of "Gunsmoke" or a John Wayne movie he couldn't describe the entire plot of at the drop of a hat. And speaking of hats, he was never far from his beloved Stetson, or a camouflage baseball cap.
Noel is survived by his wife, Sue (Tuggle) Feather; three daughters, Debbie (Pete) Gustafson, Kristine Warner and Sharon (Tim) Dietz; son, Shane (Jennifer) Feather; step-daughter Kathy DeBord; stepson, Mark (Lisa)DeBord; sisters, Jean Pearson and Delores (Rusty) Fulfs; grandchildren, Heath (Beth) Warner, Sarah Dietz, Shauna Gustafson, Kyle (Amy) Gustafson, Dana Dietz, Ian Gustafson and Ryan Dietz, Chris DeBord, Jennifer Collett, Amber DeBord andS tacy DeBord; and several great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Donald and Billy, and Gerald, in infancy; and stepson, Rob DeBord.
The family would like to thank Rock River Valley Hospice, and all the nurses, CNAs and caregivers that were so kind and helpful in Noel's final days.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice House of the Rock River Valley.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Cremation rites have been accorded, arrangements by McDonald Funeral Home.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Noel Feather
Sponsored by McDonald Funeral Home, Inc. - Rock Falls.
Bruce
June 13, 2025
I still have many VHS tapes I recorded of his hunts and learned so much from them. Thanks for the memories Noel, RIP
Chris cordell
September 10, 2024
I'm a little late knowing anything . NOEL WAS A FRIEND TO ME I WAS A YOUNG BUCK BACK IN THE DAY. HE HELPED ME OUT ALOT IN THE HUNTING INDUSTRY. IM 59 TODAY I MISS HIM MUCH . I WENT ON TO DO A MOVIE MYSELF AND SET MANY RECORDS FOR THE WHITETAIL WORLD I WOULDN'T HAVE HAD DID ALL THAT I DID WITHOUT NOEL . LOVE HIM ALWAYS . HES THE MAN THE GREW THE HUNTING INDUSTRY THE MOVIE INDUSTRY THE FANS . HE WAS A HUNTER HE WILL ALWAYS BE AT THE TOP OF MY LIST LOVE YOU BROTHER . IM PRO HUNTER CHRIS CORDELL..
Theodore Sarna
August 11, 2024
The first time I ever saw bitter cold box I was hooked in Archie was so much fun back then watching all his videos kept me going. He presented himself on the screen, always professional. I still watch those tapes today on my VHS. Sorry for your loss to the family, he is loved by many people
JP Audet
September 28, 2023
RIP from Québec, mr Feather
John Mike Hunt
April 5, 2022
I loved every one of his video's , they got me through a rough time in my life! Noel, thanks for the memory's!
Joseph Leonard Zanghi
October 18, 2021
I enjoyed your videos so many years ago. They got me excited to get into bowhunting. Rest in Peace Noel.
Joe Domyslawski
September 27, 2021
My early days of bow hunting were filled with his strategies, a great loss to the bowhunting world. My Deepest sympathies to the family. He will surely be missed.
charles Adkison
June 24, 2021
I am sorry for your loss. Noel was an amazing huntsman and teacher. I met him years ago at the buckrama in Atlanta Georgia . I have most of his videos and battling bucks. My all time favorite is "Bitter cold Bucks " . May he rest in peace and may God be with you, the family, in your time of grief.
Anthony Stepanski
January 17, 2021
Watch his hunting videos for many years he was a great outdoors men. One of my hero's RIP red
John Law
January 15, 2021
Condolences to his family. Noel & I met in the mid 50s through Archery. I must say, we shared many adventures & laughs in our younger years. May the wind always be in your face & your arrows fly straight. God Bless your family in this time of loss.
Rob Rondeau
January 14, 2021
I watched Noel's videos of bow hunting many years ago when I was just starting. I would have enjoyed meeting him. Sorry for your loss.
Carl Pate
January 13, 2021
Enjoy his hunting videos over the years. Still have the ones I bought.
Charles Jones
January 13, 2021
Very sad to hear, put me in shock this morning as i read about your passing. Dan and you are THE ones who inspired a generation of videographers in the hunting industry!
Glad i had the chance to meet you and talk on several different occasions!
You will always have a special place in my heart, i wish i still had all the videos of your hunts!
Oh yeah! While you're up there tell you acquaintance, and my best friend Kenny C. I said hi!
Mike Vassar
January 11, 2021
I am so sorry for your loss, Noel was a true pioneer to Bowhunting and truly left his mark on me Thank you Noel
Connie Bentley westfall
January 10, 2021
So sorry to hear this he was a great guy
John Mc Ateer
January 10, 2021
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Barry Zortman
January 9, 2021
He was a good bowhunter, and loved to rattle bucks. RIP
Jason Piot
January 9, 2021
I had the pleasure of spending a week in Illinois on a bow hunt guided by Dave. Noel came in to hunt as well. What a legend. The stories and the laughs!!! I’ll never forget that week. Rest Easy Noel
Roger Hooten
January 9, 2021
RIP Noel it was great spending time with you back in late 80s and early 90s .Learning about Deer Hunting thank you Sir
Connie Heinze
January 8, 2021
I was so sorry to hear the news.
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