Albert "Harry" Ghere, 91, of Arcola, IL, passed away at 2:55 p.m. Thursday, October 10, 2013 at the Evergreen Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Effingham, IL.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 14, 2013 at the Shrader Funeral Home 204 N. Locust St. Arcola, IL with Rev. Drew Holloway officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 13, 2013 at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Arcola Township Cemetery, Arcola, IL with military graveside rites accorded.

Mr. Ghere was born October 31, 1921 in Arcola, IL the son of Roy Andrew and Lillie E. Smith Ghere.

He married Lila Lee Irons on June 14, 1942 in Mattoon, IL. She preceded him in death on November 15, 2010.

Survivors include his daughter: Connie Walton and husband: Sam of Effingham, IL; son: Ron Ghere and wife: Connie of Mattoon, IL; 6 grandchildren: Rob Walton and wife: Linda of Chicago, IL; Jeff Walton and wife: Carissa of Effingham, IL; Mark Walton and wife: Heather of Brewton, AL; Marissa Banovz and husband: Jason of Bethalto, IL; Ryan Ghere and wife: Lori of Mattoon, IL; Darcie Kiessling and husband: Brian of Portage, MI; 15 great-grandchildren: Blake Walton of Chicago; Brianna, Conner and Ava Walton all of Effingham; Harrison, Kylee and Collin Walton all of Brewton, AL, Justin and Brooke Banovz of Bethalto; Jacob, Shane, Lily and Maggie Ghere all of Mattoon; Alex and Claire Kiessling all of Portage, MI;

Harry was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: John, George, Donnie, Bobby, Russ, Jim and an infant brother, sisters: Alberta, Gertrude, Lorraine, Edna, Louise, Marguerite, Lillie, Maxine and Jo Ellen.

Harry graduated from Arcola High school in 1941, where he lettered for 4 years in football, basketball, track and baseball. He worked as a brakeman on the Illinois Central railroad out of Champaign until he was drafted in 1942. After training at Camp Crowder, MO he served in the South Pacific for 30 months in the US Army Signal Corps. He was discharged November 11, 1945.

After World War II, Harry worked at Keohne Manufacturing in Mattoon and the Mattoon Flower Shop. He and his wife then moved to Arcola where they owned and operated the L &H Flower Shop and he worked at Thos. Monahan Co. He worked there for many years. He sponsored and coached the L & H Cubs Little League Baseball team in the late 50's.

He loved spending time at Lake Mattoon with his family. He enjoyed watching his grandkids and great-grandkids school activities. Harry was always a patient boat driver and helped all his kids and grandkids learn to ski, fish and love the lake. In his later years Harry enjoyed watching his great-grandkids learn to ski, kneeboard and wakeboard. He was so proud of all of them. Harry was the last of the 17 children in his family. The Ghere family was one of very few 6 Star families during World War II. All of the boys in the family served during the war.

Memorials are suggested to the Arcola Foundation.

Online condolences may be shared via hilligossshraderfh.com