Harold R. Sperry, Jr

WASHINGTON?Harold R. Sperry, Jr., 86, of Washington, passed away at 10:16 a.m., Friday, March 1, 2013 at Rosewood Care Center in East Peoria. Harold was born on March 16, 1926 in Peoria to Harold and Rose Waldbesser Sperry, Sr. He married Virginia Aggertt Bierman in Washington on August 12, 1972. Virginia survives. Also surviving are two sons, Steve (Kathy) Sperry of Belleville and Dave (Karen) Sperry of Jacksonville; one daughter, Julie (Greg) Regh of Spring Grove; one step-daughter, Carol Bierman of Gibson City; two sisters, Shirley Rosenbaum of Metamora and Delores (Raymond) Hammerich of Glasford; five grandchildren, Angela, Danielle, James, Jacob and Alexis and seven great grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by one brother, Gene W. Sperry, Sr. Harold was a 1944 graduate of Woodruff High School in Peoria and then entered the U.S. Army, serving two years at the end of World War II in Europe and the Middle East. Following his discharge Harold attended Bradley University where he earned a degree in engineering in 1951. Harold went on to work as a senior design engineer for WABCO and retired from there in 1982. Harold loved movies and everything with the motion picture industry, especially Disney. He was a 50 year member of the IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees), Local 434 and had been a motion picture projectionist for 40 years at various theatres in the Peoria area. For 10 years Harold also had been a stage hand at the Civic Center in both the arena and the theatre. In his spare time Harold enjoyed collecting coins, stamps and also was known as "Mr. Magic" for his magic performances. Funeral services for Harold will be Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Crossroads United Methodist Church in Washington with Pastor Tom Goodell officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be on Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Pleasant Plains Cemetery in Pleasant Plains, Illinois where military rites will be accorded. Mason-White Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The family would like to express a special thanks to Dr. Shawn Piers and the staff at OSF Medical Center for the care and support that was given. Memorials for Harold may be directed to Crossroads United Methodist Church.