John D. Folgate, 81, of Freeport, IL passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, January 1, 2015 at Liberty Village Manor Court in Freeport, IL. He was born on January 14, 1933 to Earl and Blanche (Yeager) Folgate in Freeport, IL. John was married to Irene Saavedra for 43 years until her death in 1997. He then married Verla Swift in September of 1999. He worked his entire life in the Insurance industry retiring in 1996 from USAA Insurance Company in San Antonio, TX.

John was a member of the Evangelical Free Church in Lena, a former member of the Lena Lions Club and Lena American Legion. John served our country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War.

John is survived by his wife, Verla; Children: Robert (Marcy) Folgate of Freeport,IL Jeffery (Leah) Folgate of Austin, TX, and Jan (Dave) Swift of Freeport, IL; grandchildren: Amy (Shane) Johnson, Brice (Danielle) Swift all of Lena, Ryan (Fiancée Brittany) Folgate, Hannah (Fiancée Andrew) Folgate all of of Austin, TX, and Jacob and Madalyn Folgate both of Freeport, IL; great grandchildren: Allexandria and Zoe Johnson and Jaxson Swift all of Lena and step-son Jon Swift of Warren.

He is preceded in death by his first wife, Irene, and two sons Ronald and James.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 am Monday, January 5, 2015 at the Lena Evangelical Free Church.

Visitation will be from 2:00 - 5:00 pm on Sunday, January 4, 2015 at the Leamon Funeral Home in Lena.

Pastor Jim Erb will officiate

Burial will be at Lena Burial Park

A memorial has been established in his name.