Garland Eugene Pires, 93, of Metamora, IL, formerly of Jacksonville, IL and Canton, IL, died at Snyder Village Health Center in Metamora on Friday, October 25, 2024.

He was born November 29, 1930 in Jacksonville, IL to Ernest and Gladys (Cox) Pires and married Barbara Wilson on November 6, 1955 in Canton, IL. She preceded him in death in 2009. Together they had four children, Priscilla Whipp of East Peoria, IL, Teresa (Doug) Osterloo of Metamora, David Pires of North Hollywood, CA, and Deanna (John) Henderson of Bloomington, IL. They also have eight grandchildren, Erica (Drew) Au of Chicago, IL, Danny (Mallory) Osterloo of Metamora, Emily (Stephen) Cooksey of Eureka, IL, Kayley (Alex) Martin of Bloomington, Sawyer (Hope) Henderson of Mundelein, IL, Micah Henderson of Morton, IL, and Owen and Milly Henderson both of Bloomington. Garland also has seven great-grandchildren.

Surviving is his sister, Janet (Tom) Bolland, of Oberlin, OH. Garland was preceded in death by his brother, Dr. Gerald Pires, of Portland, OR.

Garland graduated from Jacksonville High School and attended the University of Illinois. He was enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp. from 1951-1953 during the Korean War. He was a printer working in prepress operations for over fifty years working for the Jacksonville Journal-Courier, Canton Daily Ledger, and retiring from the Peoria Journal Star in 1996. He also worked at the SuperWash Car Wash in Metamora. He was a member of the Morning Star Lodge 734 in Canton and a lifetime member of Scottish Rite in Peoria. He was a member of the American Legion Post 89 in Metamora. Garland also appeared in the feature film, "The Ghost of Spoon River" playing the role of Edgar Lee Masters' father.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at Mason Funeral Home Metamora Chapel with Grandson Sawyer Henderson officiating. Visitation will be held from 11:30 am until service time, also on Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Metamora following his service with military rites accorded. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Greater Peoria Honor Flight, P.O. Box 5072, Peoria, IL 61601-5072 or to the American Legion Post 89, P.O. Box 1040, Metamora, IL 61548. Online condolences at www.masonfuneralhomes.com.

Greater Peoria Honor Flight
P.O. Box 5072, Peoria IL 61601-5072

American Legion Post #89
P.O. Box 1040, Metamora IL 61548