Brian Breed

BRIAN ELIOT BREED, 66 STOCKTON - Brian Eliot Breed, 66, of Stockton, Illinois, passed away suddenly Friday, March 29, 2013, at home. Brian was born February 5, 1947, in Freeport, Illinois, the son of Charles and Virginia (Leverton) Breed. He was raised on the family dairy farm near Stockton. He graduated from Stockton High School in 1965, and attended Highland Community College. Brian married Nancy Clay, his high school sweetheart, on September 23, 1967, at their home church, Calvary United Methodist in Stockton. Self-employed most of his life, Brian owned and operated Breed Surge Dairy equipment, Prairie Junction Antiques and several other entrepreneurial ventures. His quick wit and sharp humor made him a natural salesman. He was most recently employed as a demonstrator/driver for Sewer Equipment Company of America in Chadwick, Illinois. Brian was an avid golfer and had the pleasure of playing his final round at the most scenic military golf course in the world, Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course, near Hickam Air Force Base, Honolulu, Hawaii, where he recently spent a week vacationing with his wife, brothers- and sisters-in-law. He loved telling stories and jokes, playing euchre, having coffee with friends, going to auctions, collecting antiques, and helping around his daughter's farm. He also enjoyed Standardbred horse racing and owned a small stable of race horses as a hobby in the 1980s. Brian served on the Stockton Volunteer Fire Department from 1974 to 1980, the Stockton School Board from 1984 to 1989, and as a Little League baseball coach for a number of years. In addition to his wife of 46 years, Nancy, he is survived by one daughter, Abigail and one son, Benjamin, both of Stockton; mother, Virginia Breed, of Stockton; one brother, Larry, of Stockton; three sisters, Barb (Dennis) Kuhl of Stockton, Nancy Buckridge of Sparks, Nevada, and Marsha (John) Hagen of Franksville, Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles. Numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews enjoyed hearing Uncle Brian's stories. He will be missed by family members in Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New York, Tennessee, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming along with countless friends and business associates who will miss his hearty, infectious laugh. Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life gathering from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at Woodbine Bend Golf Clubhouse, 3500 East Center Road, Stockton. A short formal program to celebrate Brian's life will be held at 2 p.m. Cremation rites have been accorded; a private family burial will be held at a later date in Clay Cemetery near Willow. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts are encouraged to the Stockton Fire Department/EMTs, the Hundred Club of Jo Daviess County, or a charity of your choice. Furlong Funeral Chapel, Galena, is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left at www.furlongfuneralchapel. com.