Hugh A. Pritchard

Hugh A. Pritchard, 83, of Annawan, passed away peacefully at home on October 10, 2022. He was surrounded by his loved ones. Visitation will be held at Vandemore Funeral Home – Atkinson Chapel on Monday, October 24, 2022, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, 10:00 am at Son Rise Bible Church in Atkinson, IL. Reverend Dustin Largent will officiate. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, Geneseo, IL. Memorials may be directed to the Hugh Pritchard Memorial Fund.

Hugh was born November 8, 1938, the son of Albert and Margaret (Peggy Peck) Pritchard, in Geneseo, IL, and graduated from Annawan High School. He married JoAnn Mary Merriman. She preceded him in death. In January 1990, Hugh married Jean Swanson at a service held in Atkinson, they later divorced. On December 31, 2010, Hugh married Sharon Reiling Walters at a service held in Atkinson, IL. He was a proud farmer, master welder and loved working with heavy mining equipment. Hugh’s need for speed and passion for adventure started young with the purchase of a motorcycle before he graduated high school. From an early age he started racing (his parent’s car which had a secret life when off the farm), and at the youthful age of 82 purchased a Mustang GT. Six-speed, laser red. He was a licensed fixed-wing pilot, owned his own plane, and enjoyed visiting and telling stories. He was always active and loved a challenge. From an early age, he learned to skate and could go for miles on the Hennepin Canal. In high school, he was an accomplished pole vaulter. He also enjoyed playing billiards and in his early adulthood learned to ride the unicycle. Hugh especially loved his family and friends and treasured connecting with them and striking up new friendships with people from coast to coast. He had a passion for serving and giving to others, always volunteering with local community organizations, and would help anyone in need. Over the years, Hugh and his family enjoyed hosting several foreign exchange students. Hugh was a member of the Annawan Alba Drainage District, Kiwanis Club, Geneseo Masonic Lodge, National Farmer’s Organization, Annawan Library Board, Annawan Fire Department, American Foreign Students Exchange Program Board Member, and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. He was a lifelong member of the Atkinson Congregational Church serving on the Diaconate and Trustee Board, and an honorary member of Son Rise Bible Church.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife Sharon Pritchard; daughters Eileen (Howard) Morse (Meridian, ID), Lora Jean (Steve) Enty (Richardson, TX); sons Lynn Pritchard (Des Moines, IA), Benjamin Pritchard (Geneseo, IL), and Nathan Pritchard (Port Saint Lucie, FL); Sharon's son Brian Walters (Bloomfield, IN) and daughter Brenda (Dave) Fullington (Rock Falls, IL); Hugh's grandchildren Hugh Pritchard (Des Moines, IA); Howard (Heidi) Morse IV (Nipomo, CA), and Timothy (Michelle) Morse (Pismo Beach, CA); great-grandchildren Maximus and Grace Morse; six step-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; AFS daughters Anne Gro Thomter (Oslo, Norway) and Maria Robison (Palm Coast, FL); brother Ralph Pritchard (Atkinson, IL) and sister-in-law Venita Pritchard (Geneseo, IL).

Hugh was preceded in death by his parents, Albert, and Margaret Pritchard; first wife, JoAnn Mary Merriman; brother, Harold Pritchard, and Sharon’s son, Scott Walters.