Glenn E. Koets

Glenn E. Koets (Like Boots), age 92, was born November 28, 1932, in the Gilman Community Hospital, Gilman, IL, and passed away March 13, 2025. He was the fourth son of Peter and Kate (Spoolstra) Koets. He is survived by his wife Betty (Broms) Koets of 58 ½ years and two children, Glenn II and Kristin Koets, and grandson Ryan. He is survived by two sisters, Esther (Koets) Bonis and Pearl (Koets) Northcott and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, a sister who was stillborn and 3 brothers, Harry, Floyd, and Russell.
Glenn spent his childhood in Gilman, Illinois, and graduated from Gilman High School, class of 1950. He was a go-getter from early on, delivering newspapers, mowing lawns, working in a family garage and body shop, the A&P store, Beyers Dry Cleaners and Men's store, and the Monumental works setting tombstones, and worked on his grandfather Ed's family farm.
When Gilbert Wilson came to Gilman as the high school music teacher, a grade school and high school band was formed. Glenn tried out for the band, but he had no instrument and was issued the High School Sousaphone, which was vacated by his brother Harry going to serve in WWII. Glenn had three lessons on the 65-pound sousaphone and was placed in the High School Band and played in both bands.
He also played in the High School Swing band called the BLUE RHYTHM BOYS. He continued playing with them until he was drafted. He sang with the Methodist Church Choir, Boy Chorurs, and Accappela Chorus, was in a State Competition as a soloist, and also played on the Gilman Football Team, which was the best team in school history in 1950.
After graduating, I worked with my dad in his garage and body shop, knowing that I would be drafted into the military. In February 1953 was drafted along with Richard Redenius at Ft. Sheridan, IL (My mother and Richard's Mother were in the Gilman Hosptal together as we were born 5 days apart in 1932). We were sent to Camp Roberts in California for basic training. I went to Korea; Richard went to Germany. When we next met, we were both again at Ft. Sheridan, being discharged in 1955.
In Korea, I was stationed near the 38th parallel with the 26th Signal Battalion. With my auto repair background, I was assigned to the motor pool. My first job was to operate and maintain the huge generators that produced electricity for our compound. Was involved in building a tent theater and position of company projectionist showing movies for the troops that promoted me to Corporal. On completion of my tour of duty, I was flown back to the United States for discharge via the Midway Islands and Hawaii.
In 1955 was hired by the Village of Deerfield as a police patrolman and worked up to Lieutenant of Police. I was proud to be a police officer. In 1957 graduated from the University of Illinois Police Training Institute. With my G.I. Bill of Rights running out, I decided to return to U of I to study Law. Well having been out on my own and free for too many years, could not buckle down and study. School confinement was too much. Returned to the Police Department as an officer, and I bought a small moving company and worked on the side. I purchased a 7-unit apartment building, plus several homes and 2 flats. I vowed to myself that when I married, my bride would have a home and wouldn't have to work.
Well, in 1966, September 17, I married Betty Lou Broms, and she wanted to work in her profession of nursing. (Enough of my former idea). Betty and I had known each other for quite a few years as I worked as a night watchman for her father, who built 750 houses in Deerfield. I was friends with the family. So, between the Police Dept, the moving company, the night watchman job, and rehabbing the apartment building, I was kept busy. Our son Glenn II was born in 1970, and our daughter Kristin was born in 1975.
Glenn then had the opportunity to purchase the GIMAN MOTOR COMPANY, in 1973, a Chrysler Plymouth Dodge, Dodge Truck dealership in Gilman, IL. He moved his family to his hometown of Gilman. Glenn and family sold out the business in 1980, retaining the dealership building to have a nice place to play with his antique cars. Glenn and family return to Deerfield in 1980 he went back to Allstate Ins, this time in their Tech-Cor training division teaching computer estimating for auto and homeowners claim training.
Glenn was promoted into salvage and set up an Auction Salvage Center in Markham, IL, and one near Detroit, Michigan. After both were up and running, he returned to the Home office where he was sent to Elkhart, Indiana. Allstate would buy a mobile home. Glenn and the film crew videoed the building of a mobile home, which was brought to the claims training center and set up inside. Glenn, then delivered weekly courses to train adjusters on estimation damage to mobile homes and RVs. Videos were used for training.
He retired in 1992 and frequently went to Gilman to play, buy, sell, and restore antique cars. In 1952, he restored a Model T and drove to the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, where he won 3rd place among 55 other vehicles in his class.
Glenn was active in the American Legion Gilman Post 499 and was the Commander in 2006-2007. His father, who joined in 1920, was a Commander in 1938 and 1943. Brother Floyd was the Commander in 1950. Peter served in WWI, Harry and Floyd in WWII, and Russell and Glenn during the Korean War. Glenn is a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 499 Gilman, life member and past Commander of Deerfield Sons of American Legion Squadron 738, life member of the Highland Park VFW post 4737, life member of the Wheeling Am-Vets Post 66, life member of Wheeling Masonic Lodge, life member of Valley of Danville Consistory Shriner, life member of the Antique Automobile Club of America, (first joining in 1952), life member of the North Shore Chapter A.A. C.A, member of Waukegan Chapter AACA, Model T Ford Club of America, Walter P. Chrysler Club, and Cushman Mort Scooter Club.
After Glenn disposed of his car collection, he and his wife Betty donated the garage building to Gilman, Illinois, for a community center called THE GARAGE.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gilman American Legion, Post 499, P.O. Box 185, Gilman, IL 60938 or THE GARAGE COMMUNITY CENTER, 140 N. Central, Gilman, IL 60938
PLEASE GOD FORGIVE A SILENT TEAR
A CONSTANT WISH THAT HE WAS HERE
OTHERS WERE TAKEN, YES WE KNOW
BUT HE WAS OURS
AND WE LOVED HIM SO
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 19th 2025 - 10:00 AM until the funeral service starting at 11:00 AM - Danforth Reformed Church - 401 Church St, Danforth, IL 60930. Burial will follow at Gilman Cemetery, Gilman, IL.