Samuel C. Shotts

Samuel C. Shotts, 86, of Galesburg, died at 9:57 a.m. on Monday, November 22, 2010 at Illinois Veteran’s Home in Quincy. Sam was born the oldest son of Samuel E. and Doris (Ray) Shotts on February 20, 1924 in Champaign.  He married Aline Gilbert on January 14, 1949 in Monmouth.   Sam is survived by his wife, Aline of Galesburg; 2 sons, Samuel E. (and Elizabeth) Shotts of Highland Village, TX and Steven (and Cynthia) Shotts of Galesburg; a brother, David Shotts of Lake in the Woods; 5 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents and a  beloved younger brother, Duane. Sam graduated from GHS in 1942.  He served in the US Army, 82nd Airborne, in WW II from 1942 to 1946.  He was a clerk for the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad for 47 years, retiring in 1986.  Sam was a member of the VFW Post #2257 Galesburg and the Ralph M. Noble American Legion Post #285, Galesburg. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, November 26, 2010 at Watson Funeral Home, Galesburg.  Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Memorial Park Cemetery, Galesburg. Military rites will be conducted by Ralph M. Noble American Legion Post #285 Honor Guard.   Memorials may be made to the O.A.K.S. Senior Center or the Illinois Veteran’s Home.  A tribute to all railroaders Headaches and heartaches, and all kinds of pain, are all a part of a railroad train.  Tales that are in earnest, noble and grand, belong to the life of a railroad man.