Francis "Hank" E. Gregory

Francis E. “Hank” Gregory, 86, of Palmetto FL formerly of Bluffs passed away Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. He was born Sept. 9, 1937, in Meredosia, the son of Everett and Della Surratt Gregory. He married Betty J. Coats, July 21, 1957, at the Methodist Parsonage in Bluffs. Surviving is wife, Betty of Palmetto; children, Rhoda (Mark) Vortman of Bluffs, Tina (Richard) Freeman of Jacksonville and Eric (Sandra) Gregory of Winchester; grandchildren, Dr. Rebecca Vortman of Murrayville, Andrew (Jenna) Vortman of Jacksonville, Dr. Kassie (Kevin) Missell of Dallas, TX, Hannah Vortman of Springfield, Nathan (Sarah) Freeman of Kansas City, MO and Matthew (fiancée, Katie) Freeman of Ault, CO; great grandchildren, Maddy Vortman, Will Vortman, Kylee Missell, Aiden Vortman and Kole Missell; siblings, Mike (Pam) Gregory of FL and Cecile (Harold) Rohrer of Peoria and sister-in-law, Wanda Gregory of Bluffs. He was preceded in death by siblings, Audrey Gregory, Hubert “Buzz” Gregory, Loretta “Jean” Drohan, Marlene Shepherd, and Betty Irving. Hank was a 1956 graduate of Bluffs High School. As a young man, Hank was employed by Hap Vortman at the Texaco Gas Station. At the age of 21, he was asked to work for Freesen Bros. Throughout his time with Freesen Bros., he was a mechanic, and drove a low boy, delivering equipment around the country, and then became the dispatcher for the trucking portion of Freesen Bros. Later he worked for IL. Valley Asphalt, where he worked in the office, also served as paving materials president in Pittsfield. Eventually he became Vice President of the IL. Valley Paving, until his retirement in 1999. Hank also co-owned Bruner and Gregory INC. He was 1 of 10 organizers and directors of the Morgan Co. Community Bank also serving chairman of the board and served on the advisory board of the 1st Bank of America in Jacksonville. Hank was one of the leaders that established what is now called Plum Creek Golf Course. In his retirement years, Hank enjoyed working at the Gregory Farms, cutting brush, reading history, fishing, landscaping and traveling with his wife. Hank was a member of the United Methodist Church in Bluffs, Terra Ceia Bay Country Club, Jacksonville Country Club, Pike and Scott Farm Bureau and the Jacksonville Elks Lodge. A funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, at the Daws Family Funeral Home in Jacksonville with interment in the Hillcrest Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the United Methodist Church in Bluffs, Meredosia/Bluffs Rescue Squad, Green Pastures Christian Retreat, Chaddock or Western IL. Youth Camp.

Francis "Hank" E. Gregory

September 9, 1937 - December 28, 2023