Sam M. Hodgett

1936 - 2024

Sam M. Hodgett
Born: May 11, 1936 in Mineral, IL
Died: October 3, 2024 in Sheffield, IL
Sam M. Hodgett, 88, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2024, at his home in rural Sheffield, IL with his daughters by his side. Sam was born on May 11, 1936, to George and Helen (Spears) Hodgett in rural Mineral, IL and graduated from Mineral High School in 1954. Sam married the love of his life, Sandra (Gingrich) Hodgett, on October 14, 1956, and they raised daughters Denise, Jeanette, Jill, and Christine.
Sam liked to tell people he lived three different lives - as a farmer, a musician, and a harness horse race driver.
Sam and Sandra farmed in Bureau County, IL for over 50 years where he taught his daughters that there was nothing more satisfying than looking back with pride at a clean field of soybeans after the family had walked the entire field ridding it of weeds. When not in the field, Sam also worked at the Mineral Elevator and the Kewanee Sale Barn.
Sam was also an accomplished musician, playing trumpet and singing in dance bands from the age of eleven with his grandfather's family band, then with the Melody Five, and finally with Sandra as "The Hodgetts." Sam and Sandra played for many dances and special occasions throughout Illinois and the Fort Myers, Florida area and always took the opportunity to take to the dance floor whenever they weren't the band playing that evening. When raising their daughters and later with their grandchildren, many nights and holidays would be spent in the music room in their home where the whole family would be playing and singing music.
Sam drove in almost 2000 harness horse races at Illinois and Iowa county fairs, at the Illinois State Fair, and at parimutuel tracks throughout Illinois - most frequently at the Quad City Downs in East Moline, IL. He drove his last horse race at the Whiteside County Fair in 2005 and then had the honor of driving the starting car at many Illinois fair races for his good friend, Bob Groter.
Sam was a member of the Church of Peace in rural Kewanee, Bureau County Farm Bureau, United States Trotting Association, and the Illinois Harness Horsemen's Association. He also served his community as a member of the Illinois National Guard, the Mineral Township Board, and the Bureau County Fair Board.
Sam is survived by his daughters Denise Hodgett of Sheffield, IL, Jeanette Cromien of Galva, IL, Jill Marshall of Petersburg, IL, and Christine (Shannon) Bumann of Woodhull, IL; grandchildren Maria (Sandy) Dimmer of Decorah, IA, and Jack Bumann, Thomas Bumann and William Bumann all of Woodhull, IL; and one great granddaughter, Pearl Dimmer of Decorah, IA. Sam is also survived by his brother Jim Hodgett of Champaign, IL, sister Sharon Hodgett of Ashland, OR, sister-in-law Debbie Hodgett of Geneseo, IL, sister-in-law Carol (Mike) Bingaman of Ottumwa, IA, and many nieces, nephews, and other close relatives.
Preceding Sam in death are his beloved wife, Sandra, parents George and Helen, brother Gary Hodgett, sister-in-law Linda Hodgett, brother-in-law Michael Brewer, son-in-law David Marshall, and his precious grandson Benjamin Cromien.
Visitation will be from 4:00 - 6:00 pm, Monday, October 14, 2024, followed by a memorial service at 6:00 pm, both at the Church of Peace in rural Kewanee. This date was chosen as it would have been Sam and Sandra's 68th wedding anniversary. Pastor Andrew Christman will officiate. Private burial will be at the Sheffield Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be made to Galesburg OSF Home Health and Hospice or the Sheffield Rescue Unit. Please leave an online condolence for Sam's family at www.golnickschuenemanfh.com.