Alva R. Abbott, 96, a resident of Kewanee Care Nursing Home, formerly of Galva, died Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, at the home.

Alva was born May 31, 1911, in Galva, the son of Alrick and Mary (Senteny) Abbott. He married Helen Jackson on May 20, 1932, in Kewanee. She preceded him in death in 1967.

Also preceding him were two sons, Robert and Donald; one granddaughter, Kim Thomson; one great-grandson, Joshua Thomson; three brothers, Charles, Miles and his twin, Allie; and three sisters, Nora Wheelhouse, Nellie Pollock and Emma Mae Otis.

He is survived by one son, Wayne (Sally) Abbott and one daughter, Dorothy Brody, both of Galva; and two sisters-in-law, Lucy Lindstrom of Galva and Pansy Swanson of Galesburg.

In his early years he drove mule teams pulling wagons for road construction. He helped lay the first paved road from LaFayette to Lake Calhoun and the Lake Calhoun Bridge. As a teenager, he helped his brother-in-law set dynamite in rooms in underground coal mines. He would blow these at night for the next day's crew. He had served in the CCC Camp south of Galva. He had worked as a spray painter for many years at Dixline Corp. and operated an extruder at Lily-Tulip until its closing.

He was an 18-year volunteer of the Galva Fire Department.

He always enjoyed the Fireman's Water Fights. He played the organ and harmonica and enjoyed dancing, fishing, gardening, cards and reading. He also loved the history of the Old West.

Burial will be in the Evergreen Memory Gardens in rural Kewanee.

Full obit in the Peoria Journal Star - March 3, 2008.

Name Alva Robert Abbott

Gender Male

Race White

Age 29

Birth Date 31 May 1911

Birth Place Rushville, Illinois

Registration Date 16 Oct 1940

Registration Place Galva, Henry, Illinois

Employer Dixline Casket Hdw Co

Height "5 7"

Weight "136"

Complexion Dark

Hair Color Brown

Eye Color Brown

Next of Kin Helen Irene Abbott (wife)

World War II draft registration card