Mr. Ernest E. Caves

Ernest Eugene “George” Caves, 91 of Galesburg, died at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at the Marigold Rehab & Health Care Center in Galesburg.

He was born July 27, 1926 in Greenbush, the son of Martie and Beulah Simmons Caves.  He married Margaret Norris in 1950 and they later divorced.  He then married Wanda M. Sharp on October 15, 1966 at the Methodist Church, Western Illinois University in Macomb.

Ernest is survived by his wife, Wanda; his children from his first marriage, Alan (and Tammy) Caves of Alexis, Brian (and Diane Nalley) Caves of Gilson and Luann (and Gary) Johnson of Dahinda; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-granddaughter; one brother, James Martin Caves of Quincy; and nieces and nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Martie Caves and Beulah Simmons Caves Stegall, one daughter, M. Diane Caves, one grandson, Daniel Caves, four sisters, Cleta Rogers, Norma Floyd, Edna Mae VanVelsor and Mable LeFevre, and one brother, Donald Caves.

He graduated from Avon High School.  He also graduated from Browns Business College in Galesburg and he later earned a law degree from the LaSalle Extension University in Chicago.  He worked at the Abingdon Blue Bell Factory, the railroad, Bankers Life Insurance, and then worked for 35 years as Claim Manager for the Chicago Motor Club.  After retirement, he sold insurance for Royal Neighbors.  He grew up in the Methodist church and later attended several area churches, including First Christian Church in Galesburg.  His hobbies included playing chess, reading, and playing ping pong and billiards.  He was an amateur ham radio operator and was a member of the International Graphoanalysis Society, a person who studies handwriting. 

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 12, 2018 at the Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Abingdon Chapel.  Rev. Martha Jean Fitch will officiate.  Burial will be in the Abingdon Cemetery.  There will be no visitation.   

Memorials may be made to OSF Hospice.  Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mr. Ernest E. Caves, please visit our floral store.