Laurel F. Hoelscher, 76, of Burlington, died Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, at Oak View Nursing and Rehabilitation. He was born February 16, 1946, in Macomb, Ill. to Herbert K. and Ruth E. Cavett Hoelscher. Both of his parents preceded him in death.
Surviving to mourn his passing are 2 brothers: Leslie Hoelscher, Burlington, Steven Hoelscher, West Burlington, one sister in law: Barbara (Les) Hoelscher, and three nieces: Angela, Polly, and Shana.
Laurel and his family lived in Colchester until they moved to Burlington around 1954. he was a 1965 graduate of Burlington High School.
After graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy Reserve serving from 1965 through 1971. He was assigned to the USS Tripoli, 2 years active on the USS Henley DD 762 Destroyer, and finished his tour on the USS Grand Canyon. Laurel had also been stationed at Great Lakes, Norfolk, Va., and San Diego, Calif. He was a member of the Tin Can Sailers.
Laurel was a polite soft-spoken man and a walking encyclopedia of rock and roll and classic movie facts. He loved assembling scale-model airplanes, ships, and cars and had a large collection of his favorites. After retiring from JI Case Company after 30 years, he enjoyed traveling the US to visit the places he had always wanted to see. Another passion of Laurel's was traveling the tri-state area to visit local carnivals, specifically to photograph the many rides being assembled and later disassembled and of course take time for a corndog and funnel cake in between. He was a NASCAR fan and enjoyed riding his 3-Wheeled bicycle through local area parks. I'll bet he's riding it in paradise right now.
Per Laurel’s wishes, there was a private family visitation and service. Military services were conducted by the Macomb V.F.W. and Macomb American Legion. Burial took place at Scotts Cemetery. Jones Mortuary in Colchester handled arrangements for the family. Condolences and memories can be expressed to the family at jonesmortuaryfh.com.